Original photo of the S.S. Ripogenus. Built in 1918 at Francis Cobb Co. Rockland Maine, at a cost of $600,000. Tonnage 2369/1379; length, 269.0; breadth, 42.1; depth, 25.8. Owners Great Northern Paper Co., Millinocket, Maine, 1919-32 to carry paper from Searsport to N.Y. and Philadelphia, and coal from Norfolk on return voyages. More history may be found in McLeod's history of G.N.P. CO.
The twin screw vessel hailed from Belfast, Maine; and was schooner rigged originally. However, masts were never set because although she was planned as a schooner, she never sailed as such. A Captain Charles Saunders was her Captain for many years. On November 8, 1932 she collided with the SS EVANSVILLE, off Cape Henry, Virginia and sunk. There was no loss of life.
Also, a note from ‘COMPANY REDCORDS: Coal and Sulphur Book’, reads;
“Ripogenus put in service in 1919. Captains pay was $300/month. Crew 36 men averaged $107/month. Last full year of operation was 1926, 33 trips, 82,388 gross tons. She made 4 trips ending in February, in 1927. Early in 1927 B.L.S. made a study showing cost of freight on coal hauled by Rip. $1.94 ton, contract carriers or outside charters $.94. This is probably when she went out of GN service, probably chartered to somebody else, although there is no record.”
Many Searsport, Maine men started their sea-going careers on the “RIP”, as she was affectionately called…”
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| Info from SSarkasan |
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