Story
This passenger/freight vessel was built in 1884 by Hall Russell & Co. in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Historical Notes
This vessel was operated with the steamer Nanshan between Hong Kong and Manila. AS the Zafiro this vessel was a derelict on Puget Sound for several years. During the Spanish American War, when Admiral Dewey outfitted his fleet for the Battle of Manila this vessel served as collier to supply the fleet there. This vessel was sold after laying up in the Bremerton Navy Yard. This vessel was laid up in Burrard Inlet.
In 1919 this vessel was owned by Robertson, Godson & Co., Vancouver.
In 1919 this vessel was refurbished at Vancouver by C.A. Godson and sailed 'south'.
In 1919 this vessel was owned by the Van Hamerlyck interests and then to the Belen Quezada Shipping Co. and flew a "flag of convenience", to run alcohol between Canada and the United States during Prohibition. The vessel was deleted from the Panamanian ship registry in 1931 and, presumably, broken up shortly after. This vessel was the only steel ship sheathed in 3 inches of wood on her hull (by C.A. Godson) - alone as a Lloyd's Register Classification.
In 1921 this vessel was seized as a prize of war by the Government of Costa Rica) during the war with Panama while owned by the Panama Shipping Co. of New York.
Owners & Masters
She was owned by the China and Manila Steamship Co.
In 1898 she was owned by the US government as a collier.
In 1910 she was owned by J. W. Zeeve, Seattle WA USA.
In 1910 she was owned by the Chicago Junk Co., Seattle WA USA.
In 1910 she was owned by George Gibbs and A. Goldberg, Vancouver BC Canada.
Name Significance
Zafiro or Zafiros means sapphire in Spanish. She may have been named Belen Quezada after the daughter of a rich Costa Rican banana grower.
Rebuilds
She was converted to a coal barge.
References
- Daily Colonist (Victoria BC) November 27, 1910 page 14
- www.history.navy.mil ↗
- Victoria Daily Times (Victoria BC) Monday March 15, 1920 page 8
- The Boston Globe (Boston MA USA) Monday June 6, 1921 page 5
