Imo, driven ashore in Dartmouth after the explosion.
Photo: Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, MP207.1.184/270, MP207.1.184/270a,M90.61.15
Name: Imo
Official Number: 93837
Signal Letters: MJGB
Name Changes: Runic (I) 1889; Tampican 1895; Guvernoren 1920
Tonnage: 5043 Gross, 3405 under deck, 3161 Net
Dimensions: 430.7' long, 45.2' breadth, 30.3' deep Forecastle 48', Bridge 30', Poop 41'
Built: Belfast
Builder: Harland & Wolff
Year: 1889
Registered Port: Christiania, Norway
Owners: South Pacific Whaling Co.
Engines: Steam, triple expansion, single screw
Horsepower: 424 NHP
Crew: Captain Haakon From, Halifax Pilot William Hayes
Career: Built as the White Star cargo liner/livestock carrier Runic (I), later renamed Tampican. Sold and renamed Imo in 1912 as supply ship for whaling operation. Under charter to carry Belgian Relief supplies in 1917. Outbound from Halifax in ballast (empty) to load relief supplies in New York. Collided with munitions ship Mont Blanc. Heavily damaged by blast and driven ashore in Dartmouth. Six men were killed of the crew of 39 aboard. Rebuilt and renamed Guvernuren to serve as whale oil tanker. On November 30, 1921 abandoned off Falkland Islands after running onto the rocks.
Sources: Lloyd's Register 1889, 1893, 1916; North Atlantic Seaway, N.R.P. Bonsor, II, 758; White Star, Ray Anderson, 74, 91, 202, 1900; Proceedings of Drysdale Inquiry, p. 253; and additiomnal research by Alan Ruffman