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Update: 01-03-2025
Compiled by:
@ Bob Schrage
NLB vessels through time from ca. 1900 - 1950
Remark: Names of the ships were reused, sometimes multiple times. The numbers in brackets after the names of some ships are for reference only. They were not carried on the ships, as there was only one ship with a given name at any given time.
PHAROS (VII)
NLB Duty:
Construction:
History:		 1909 - 1955
Steel Twin-Screw Steamer, 206.4 x 31.2 x 15 feet, 921 Gross Tons, 393 Net Tons. Triple, 6-cyl by builders, 142 nhp
1909: Built by Wm Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow (496)
1955: To release name for new vessel, renamed AVONTOUN.
1955: Arrived at Charlestown, Fife for breaking up by vesselbreaking Industries Ltd
POLE STAR (II)
NLB Duty:
Construction:
History:		 1930 - 1965
Steel Twin Screw Steamer, 195.7 x 31.1 x 14.5 feet, 750 Gross Tons, 328 Net Tons. Triple-expansion, 6 cyl by builders, 215 nhp
1930: Built by Wm Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow (663)
1950: Converted to burn oil fuel
1961: To release name for new vessel, renamed MAY (IV), base transferred to Granton
1965: Sold to P & W MacLellan Ltd, Glasgow for breaking up
MAY (II)
NLB Duty:
Construction:

History:		 1937 - 1962
Steel Twin-Screw Motorvessel,147.5 x 29.2 x 12.1 feet, 491 Gross Tons; 149 Net Tons. Oil engines (2), 2SCSA, each 5-cyl by British Auxiliaries Ltd Glasgow
1937: Built by A & J. Inglis Ltd, Glasgow (991P) and based at Granton
1961: To release name for POLE STAR (II) renamed MAY III
1962: Laid up at Leith pending disposal
1963: Sold to William J Sutton, London for gas/oil search operations and renamed SURVEYOR
1966: Sold to Overseas & General Brokerage & Finance Co Ltd, London, name unchanged
1969: Sold to Shackleton Aviation Ltd, London, name unchanged
1969: Sold to Gardline vesselping Ltd, London, name unchanged
1977: Sold to P & W McLellan Ltd and broken up at Bo'ness
HESPERUS (II)
NLB Duty:
Construction:

History:		 1938 - 1972
Steel Twin-Screw Motorvessel, 202.5 x 35.2 x 13.4 feet, 844 Gross Tons, 306 Net Tons. Oil engines (2), 2SCSA, each 8-cyl by British Auxiliaries Ltd, Glasgow
1939: Built by Caledon vesselbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee, and based at Oban
1964: Transferred to Granton
1974: Sold to Cosag Marine Services Ltd of Great Yarmouth and renamed SPERUS
1982: Sold to Hydrosphere Ltd of London, name unchanged
1984: Sold to Sunderland to Liguria Maritime Ltd of Sittingbourne, Kent on authority of Admiralty Marshal, name unchanged
1985: Broken up on River Medway
Vessels from 1900 to 1950 Pharos (VII)
Pharos (VII), NLB Duty: 1909 - 1955
Pole Star (II)
Pole Star (II), NLB Duty: 1930 - 1965 (in Dundee)
May (II)
May (II), NLB Duty: 1937 - 1962
Hesperus (II)
Hesperus (II), NLB Duty: 1938 - 1972
References:
NLB vessels- Graeme Somner