Additional material by Roy Breach and Barry Banham
Technical
Official Number: 132180
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 99
Net Tonnage: 42
Length: 87.2 ft
Breadth: 19.1 ft
Depth: 9.6 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow
Built: George Smith Jnr, Buckpool, Buckie
History
wooden drifter
1916: Launched by George Smith Jnr, Buckpool, Buckie (Yd.No.) on speculation as GREEN PASTURES.
5.1917: Completed. Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.3108). Based at Peterhead.
1919: Returned to owner at Findochty (R. Tindall & Son, Buckie, agents).
1919: Sold to Joseph Wood, Portknockie & others.
1919: Registered at Buckie (BCK237).
22.11.1919: Sold to Lancelot Charles Harvey (32/64) and Robert Thomas Moore (32/64), Lowestoft (Robert Thomas Moore managing owner).
20.1.1920: Sold to John Victor Breach (22/64), George F. Spashett (21/64) & Ernest Edward Soloman (21/64), Lowestoft (John Victor Breach, managing owner).
1.1920: Buckie registry closed.
12.1.1920: Registered at Lowestoft (LT740).
15.2.1922: Sold to John Victor Breach (32/64) & G. F. Spashett (32/64), Lowestoft.
25.1.1923: Registered at Lowestoft as GERVAIS RENTOUL (LT740) (BOT Minute 1656/1922 dated 13.1.1923).
25.4.1925: Sold to Explorator Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (John Victor Breach, manager).
8.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol drifter (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
6.1941: Based Dover as an armed patrol drifter (Ty Sk. W. C. Barnaby RNR).
9.1941: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1945: R. H. Self designated manager.
22.61945: Sold to The Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood).
5.1946: Returned to owner. Laid up.
29.6.1949: Sold to Margaret Sellons, Fleetwood (managing owner).
12.10.1949: Sold to Frederick William Braithwaite, Grange-over-Sands (managing owner).
1952: Sold Lacmots Ltd, Glasson Dock for breaking up.
1952: Lowestoft registry closed.
Note: Named after Gervais Rentoul MP for Lowestoft in 1920s.
Additional material by Barry Banham and Milford Trawlers site
Technical
Official Number: 149229
Yard Number: 579
Completed: 1929
Gross Tonnage: 138
Net Tonnage: 59
Length: 98.0 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 10.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Built: John Chambers Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft
History
1929: Launched by John Chambers Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (Yd.No.579) for Catchpole, Baxter & Co, Lowestoft as WILLING BOYS. 3.1930: Completed (Edward Catchpole, Kessingland, manager).
21.3.1930: Registered at Lowestoft (LT737).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood.
1.7.1937: Fishing near the Glass Norman bank off the Wicklow coast (Sk. Russell James Gower); arrested by Irish Free State fishery cruiser MUIRCHÚ after shots were fired.
2.7.1937: Sk. Gower of Lowestoft was charged in Dublin Police Court with illegally fishing off the Wicklow coast. Fined £100 and gear and catch forfeited.
15.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY.947) (Hire rate £77.15.11d/month).
6.1940: Based Dover (Ty Sk. R. McLean RNR).
1941: Fitted out as a LL drifter.
1.1942: Based Dover as a LL drifter (Sk. C. E. Coble RNR).
6.1943: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1945: Sold to Pevensey Castle Ltd, Lowestoft (R. H. Self, manager).
8.1946: Returned to owner.
1949-1950: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
17.5.1949: At Fleetwood landed 209 boxes grossed £835.
17.8.1949: Last landing at Fleetwood, 218 boxes grossed £793.
14.3.1950: At Fleetwood landed 181 boxes grossed £847.
13.5.1950: Last landing at Fleetwood, 135 boxes grossed £416.
1953: Sold to W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd, Milford Haven (William H. Kerr, manager).
5.1957: Sailed Milford for Lowestoft for conversion to diesel propulsion (Sk.Sid Durrant).
9.1957: Converted at Lowestoft. Re-engined with a 2stroke 6-cyl 280bhp oil engine by Crossley Bros. Ltd, Manchester.
1.9.1957: On completion of successful trials sailed Lowestoft to fish round to Milford (Sk. Sid Durrant).
6.8.1959: Sailed Milford for Lowestoft and to fish from that port (Sk. Joe Utting).
5.1.1961: Returned to Milford from Lowestoft, but damaged in collision with drifter trawler FEACO (LT207) also returning from Lowestoft.
5.1970: Laid up at Milford.
2.1973: When trawling off the Devon Coast (Sk. Frank Reynolds) hauled a torpedo warhead. Landed at Milford and attended by Plymouth RN Bomb & Mine Disposal Team and found to contain 500lbs of TNT. Safely exploded on Castlemartin Range.
15.2.1973: Escorted into Dunmore by LÉ DIEDRE (P.No.P20) having been arrested for alleged poaching in Irish Republican waters.
16.2.1973: At Court in Dublin Sk. Reynolds fined £210 for fishing in Irsh Republic territorial waters off the Wexford coast and gear and catch (60 boxes of whiting) valued at £1,500 confiscated.
23.7.1973: Sailed Milford for Briton Ferry towing DEELITE (YH29) sold for breaking up.
5.1974: W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd and fleet taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Hull (William H. Kerr remained manager).
1974: Sold to Brig Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven.
12.1975: Last landing at Milford. Laid up.
3.1976: Sold to Thomas W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Briton Ferry.
23.3.1976: Sailed Milford for Briton Ferry. Lowestoft registry closed.
Additional material by Roy Breach and Barry Banham
Technical
Official Number: 140025
Yard Number: 457
Gross Tonnage: 162
Net Tonnage: 68
Length: 103.9 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 10.9 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
History
23.12.1920: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.457) for Arthur Gouldby (64/64), Kessingland as ARTHUR GOULDBY.
2.1921: Completed.
21.2.1921: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1157). Arthur Gouldby designated manager.
22.6.1922 (Registered): Shares (48/64) sold to Frank Clement Burton (14/64), Lowestoft; William George Garrood (14/64), Oulton Broad; Walter Albert Wood Greaves (14/64), Pakefield; Henry Blunderfield Garrood (4/64), Oulton Broad and Mariames Theresa Lawrence (2/64), Lowestoft. Arthur Gouldby designated manager.
22.4.1930: Frank Clement Burton died.
2.9.1930 (Registered): In accordance with Will dated 10.4.1930, shares (14/64) transferred to Edith Clara Burton, Lowestoft; Clement Ernest Brunswick Burton, Oulton Broad & Arthur Gouldby (jointly held), Lowestoft (Arthur Gouldby manager). 24.6.1933: Arthur Gouldby (16/64) shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
17.4.1934: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Lowestoft (14/64) shares held jointly by Edith Clara Burton; Clement Ernest Brunswick Burton and Arthur Gouldby.
18.4.1934: Arthur Gouldby (14/64) shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (B).
28.9.1936: Henry George Prior designated manager.
28.2.1937: Marianne Theresa Lawrence died.
28.8.1937 (Registered): In accordance with Will dated 1.5.1935, shares (2/64) transferred to Barclays Bank Ltd, London. 31.8.1937 (Registered): Sold to Kittiwake Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (30/64 shares sold by National Provincial Bank Ltd, London under mortgages (A) & (B)). John Victor Breach designated manager.
11.9.1937: Mortgaged to Small & Co (Lowestoft) Ltd, Lowestoft (C) at 6% interest.
7.9.1937: Registered at Lowestoft as SARAH HIDE (LT1157) (BoT minute M/RG 1561/1937 dated 4.9.1937).
8.10.1937: At Yarmouth landed 147 crans of herring.
16.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1- MG) (P.No.FY.968) (Hire rate £54.13.6d/month).
20.2.1940: Based Dover (Ty Sk. H. G. Meen RNR). Picked up two survivors of Whitehaven steam coaster RYDAL FORCE 1101grt/1924) mined 400yards south of Gull Light Vessel, Thames Estuary (Mines laid by German aircraft 21.4.1940). 7.1941: Based Ipswich as armed patrol drifter.
26.5.1943: Ty Sk. J. Mulligan RNR appointed CO.
16.1.1944: Sk. L. Haigh RNR appointed CO.
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1945: Ronald Henry Self designated manager.
31.12.1945: Returned to owner.
5.1.1946: Taken off hire.
4.10.1947: At Lowestoft landed 160 crans.
5.11.1947: In collision with steam drifter STRIVE (LT133) and sustained damage.
17.11.1949: Grounded between piers at Lowestoft.
1950s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
3.4.1950: At Fleetwood landed 176 boxes of white fish grossed £795.
26.5.1952: Last landing at Fleetwood.
6.10.1952: At Lowestoft landed 243 crans.
27.10.1952: At Lowestoft landed 235 crans.
8.11.1952: At Lowestoft landed 225 crans.
25.7.1953: Mortgage (C) discharged.
1.1955: Sold to Belgian shipbreakers (MoT GSP.1/1/01578 dated 14.1.1955).
31.1.1955: Sailed Lowestoft for Antwerp.
7.2.1955: Lowestoft registry closed.
“In Fleetwood as in other fishing ports, a close link was developed between the trawler owners and the collieries supplying the steam coal, in this instance from the Lancashire and West Yorkshire coalfields. From the start of the steam trawling era, coal from Duxbury Park Colliery and Ellerbeck Colliery, Adlington – only 30 miles from Fleetwood; Orrell Colliery, Wigan and Westleigh Colliery, Leigh was in regular supply and in 1904 the colliery agent for Adlington Coal Company, Chorley took a major shareholding in the steam trawler CITY OF YORK (FD16).
The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd had their own rail wagons and used them to advertise with the slogan “Fleetwood Fish” and when BDSF&I Co moved to the port it was not long before they too had their own railway wagons transporting coal mined by the Earl Fitzwilliam’s Collieries at their Elsecar Main pit at Barnsley.
The Great Grimsby Coal Salt & Tanning Co Ltd also had their own private user wagons and supplied bunker coal at all the major fishing ports.
The firing of the boiler in a steam trawler, demanded physical strength and stamina from the firemen and there was no room for poor quality coal, although this sometimes had to be taken when fishing Iceland or the Faeroe Islands in the early days, when insufficient coal could be carried for the trip. Firemen became familiar with the quality of coal from particular collieries, although, like railway locomotives, it was not unusual for sister ships to have widely varied coal consumption and steaming characteristics.
In all steam plants a certain amount of water is lost on each cycle, raising steam, driving the engine and returning to the boiler via the condenser, due in the main to steam leaks. Many older trawlers used sea water in the boiler as make up feed water and this was acceptable so long as the boilers were regularly blown down and scaled. When water tube boilers were introduced however, this lead to corrosion and the tankage of make-up feed water was increased. The bunker capacity, feed water, potable (drinking) water and ice storage for the three Admiralty trawler types, typical of the vessels built pre and post WW1 was:-
Official Number: 136622
Yard Number: 32
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 101
Net Tonnage: 39
Length: 87.5 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl by Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby
Boiler: Riley Brothers (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees
Built: Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby
History
1.1916: Launched by Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby (Yd.No.32) for George Thomas Hume (64/64), Lowestoft as HUMOROUS.
5.1916: Completed.
20.5.1916: Registered at Lowestoft (LT691). Requisitioned from the builders for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.2744). Based in Aegean Sea.
1919: Returned to owner at Lowestoft (George T. Hume).
17.1.1926: At Brixham delivered steam drifter EVENING PRIMROSE (LT1117) which had been disabled with a fouled propeller.
3.2.1926: Sold to The Hollingshurst Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft. George Breach designated manager.
21.9.1926: George Breach died. Share ownership transferred to executors, Louisa Breach, George Alan Breach & Wm. Hutchings (George Alan Breach managing owner).
1930/31: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
3.3.1933: Sold to Peacock & Co (Lowestoft) Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland, manager).
22.9.1934: At Lowestoft (Sk. William J. Durrant) delivered steam drifter ACCUMULATOR (LT655) disabled with broken propeller.
7.1939: Sold for breaking up.
18.1.1940: Lowestoft registry closed “Vessel broken up”.
Official Number: 128543
Yard Number: 201
Completed: 1909
Gross Tonnage: 100
Net Tonnage: 37
Length: 87.2 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.1 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl and boiler by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee
Built: Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee
Details
1909: Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Yd.No.201) for George H. Hansell, Gt. Yarmouth as King Herring.
10.1909: Completed. George H. Hansell designated managing owner.
18.11.1909: Registered at Yarmouth (YH7).
10.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr HA) (Ad.No.1922). Based Aegean Sea.
1919: Returned to owner at Gt. Yarmouth (George H. Hansell & John Thomas Cullen Salmon, Gt. Yarmouth).
1919: Sold to Great Yarmouth Steam Trawlers Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth (George H. Hansell, manager).
1927: Sold to George H. Hansell, Gt. Yarmouth (managing owner).
1928: Sold to Sydney E. Catchpole, Pakefield (managing owner).
12.9.1928: Yarmouth registry closed.
13.9.1928: Registered at Lowestoft (LT401).
1930/31: Seasonal whitefish trawling from Fleetwood
1938: Sold to to Dutch principals for breaking up.
3.11.1938: Lowestoft registry closed.
In Boston (Fleetwood) ownership. Did not fish from Fleetwood.
Technical
Official Number: 181351
Yard Number: 759
Completed: 1948
Gross Tonnage: 689
Net Tonnage: 249
Length: 181.7 ft
Breadth: 30.6 ft
Depth: 15.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Fitted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150 ° F
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley, 1948
History
24.5.1948: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.795) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as BOSTON SEAFIRE.
6.10.1948: Registered at Hull (H584).
27.10.1948: Completed. Basil A. Parkes designated manager.
19.1.1952: Sold to Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd, Hull (Thomas Hudson, manager). Registered at Hull as CAPE TARIFA (H584).
5.2.1960: Company and assets taken over by Ross Group, Grimsby.
26.11.1961: Registered at Hull as ROSS TARIFA (H584).
27.6.1967: Transferred to Grimsby.
968: Sold to Van Heyghen Freres S.A., Ghent for breaking up.
6.3.1968: In tandem tow with ROSS DUNER (H85) by London motor tug MOORCOCK (272grt/1959 – 1600bhp) Humber for Zeebruges, lost ROSS DUNER off the South Falls Buoy. Stranded near Dunkirk but subsequently refloated and delivered to Zeebruges.
7.3.1968: Broke away from tug and stranded on Goodwin Sands 11/4 miles from East Goodwin Light Vessel. Settled and lost to sands.
3.1968: Hull registry closed.
Additional material courtesy of Roy Breach and Barry Banham
Technical
Official Number: 127357
Completed: 1912
Yard Number: 377
Gross Tonnage: 98
Net Tonnage: 41
Length: 86.0 ft
Breadth: 18.45 ft
Depth: 9.0 feet
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by James Abernethy & Co, Aberdeen
Built: John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
History
1912: Launched by John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.377) for for George Addison, Cullen & others as THREE KINGS.
1912: Completed (George Addison managing owner). Registered at Banff (BF495).
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.2419). Based at Larne.
1916: Sold to Alexander Mair, Buckie & others (Alexander Mair managing owner).
1919: Returned to owner at Buckie (Jas. Archibold, Buckie).
29.5.1920: Sold to John Victor Breach (64/64), Lowestoft. John Victor Breach designated managing owner.
29.5.1920: Sold to Jack Breach Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft. John Victor Breach designated manager.
29.5.1920: Registered at Lowestoft (LT517).
1.6.1920: Banff registry closed.
9.6.1923: Stranded at Lerwick. Steam drifters EILEEN EMMA (LT342) and JUST REWARD (LT726) connected, refloated and returned to Lerwick.
26.7.1925: With steam drifters TWO BOYS (LT1157) and UNITED FRIENDS (LT55) suceeded in refloating the Norwegian steamer GEZINA (1828grt/1917), which had stranded on Dennis Head, North Ronaldsay in dense fog.
12.6.1926: At Lerwick sustained damage in collision with steam drifter CLOVERDALE (BF170).
18.7.1928: At Stronsay, Orkney with broken propeller.
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent).
13.8.1930: At Fraserburgh with broken propeller.
31.8.1934: At Workington (Sk. H. Stone) with broken propeller.
5.5.1936: With Sk. A. Catchpole, sustained damage in collision with steam drifter CLARA SUTTON (HL88).
15.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (1-MG) (P.No.FY918) (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
1.1.1942: At Harwich LL sweep drifter (Hire rate increased to £27.013.6d/month).
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1944: Ronald H. Self appointed manager.
9.1944: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1945: Returned to owner. Laid up.
19.4.1945: Charles William Dance appointed manager.
26.7.1946: Jack Breach Ltd reconstituted as The Shoals Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Charles W. Dance, manager).
29.11.1946: Lowestoft fishing registry closed “No longer used for fishing”.
7.1947: Sold to Belgian principals for breaking up (Sanctioned by MOT letter No. GSP 6477 dated 9.7.1948).
14.6.1950: Lowestoft registry closed “Vessel broken up”.
Official Number: 135073
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 79
Net Tonnage: 40
Length: 82.0 ft
Breadth: 18.2 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Elliot & Garrood Ltd, Beccles
Built: John Chambers & Co Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft
History
Wooden Drifter
1914: Launched by John Chambers & Co Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (Yd.No.) for James Pitchers, Gt. Yarmouth & E. Bultitude, Caister-on-Sea as DORIS MAUD.
4.1914: Completed.
15.4.1914: Registered at Yarmouth (YH702).
10.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-57mm) (Ad.No.2715). Based Greece.
1916: Sold to Alexander Keay, Fleetwood (managing owner).
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1920: Sold to Greek principals.
17.12.1920: Yarmouth registry closed. “Sold to foreigners (Greece)”. FATE.
Official Number: 65801
Completed: 1871
Gross Tonnage: 63
Net Tonnage: 47
Length: 71.4 ft
Breadth: 19.1
Depth: 9.55 ft
Rig: Ketch
Built: F. R. Pain, Sandwich
History
1871: Completed by F. R. Pain, Sandwich for George Chamberlain, Hainton Villa, Hainton Street, Weelsby, Grimsby as GEORGE & MARIA.
4.1971: Registered at Grimsby (GY303).
10.1888: Sold to William G. S. Letten, Grimsby.
11.1888: Sold to George Miller, 33 Church Street, Fleetwood (managing owner).
11.1888: Grimsby registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood.
By 1891: owned by Mrs Anne Holden, Ainsdale (Thomas Smith, 18 Aughton Street, Fleetwood, manager).
1892: Sold to Alexander Hull, 68 Gt. Patrick Street Belfast (managing owner).
1908: Fleetwood registry closed.
Information courtesy of Barry Banham, additional material courtesy of Andy Hall
Technical
Official Number:
Yard Number: 312
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 186
Net Tonnage: 73
Length: 108.9 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by W.V.V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow
History
12.9.1905: Launched by Mackie & Thomson, Govan (Yd.No.312) for Hellyer’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as AUDREY.
1.1906: Completed (Charles Hellyer, manager).
26.1.1906: Registered at Hull (H854).
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
16.4.1916: At Hull, Skipper Albert Menzies Johnston charged under the Defence of the Realm Act with being in a prohibited area and fined £50.
7.7.1916: Off North Coast of Scotland rescued all crew of the Swedish steamer LISA (1606grt/) damaged by mine and run ashore, landing them in Thurso Bay. Crew paid £100 for efforts in picking up survivors.
1919: Released.
6.2.1919: Sold to Charles Henry George, Caister on Sea (managing owner).
9.12.1919: Hull registry closed.
11.12.1919: Registered at Gt. Yarmouth (YH215).
26.1.1920: Sold to John Halifax, Southtown, Gt. Yarmouth (managing owner).
1920’s: Seasonal fishing from Fleetwood (Sk. John Halifax).
11.1923: In River Yare in collision with steam drifter FAITHFUL (BK246) striking her amidships causing her to founder.
19.4.1926: Sold to Robert Boyle (32/64) and John Thomas Coulson (32/64), North Shields (Robert Boyle managing owner).
12.5.1925: Yarmouth registry closed.
15.1.1926: Registered at North Shields (SN38).
6.9.1933: Foundered.
Official Number:
Yard Number: 342
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 274
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 22.8 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
History
20.7.1916: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverely (Yd.No.342) for William Grant, Grimsby as RUGBY.
16.8.1916: Completed (William Grant managing owner).
10.11.1916: Registered at Grimsby (GY994).
11.1916: Requisiitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.2979).
11.1917: Renamed RUGBY II. Based Dover.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby. Reverted to RUGBY (GY994).
6.1927: Sold to John W. Grant, Grimsby (managing owner).
3.1930: Sold to Rugby Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (John W. Grant, manager).
3.1934: Sold to Harry Robinson, Grimsby (managing owner).
14.8.1939: Sold to Earl Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Sir Alec Black, Bart, manager).
30.5.1940: Requistioned for war service as a patrol vessel (FY.4.162) (Hire rate £77.12.8d/month). Based Grimsby on Fishery Protection.
10.1941: Converted for minesweeping duties.
9.1941: Sold to North Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (John A. Harrow, manager).
22.9.1941: Grimsby registry closed.
25.9.1941: Registered at Aberdeen (A518).
7.1943: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
10.1943: Fitted out as a fuelling trawler (Esso)(33ton tank for refuelling diesel landing craft) (P.No.Y7.30).
6.1944: Operation Neptune-Normandy Landings. Assigned as a fuelling trawler to Force G.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended. Reverted to miscellaneous Naval duties.
1944: Sold to Parkholme Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Harold Wilfred Hall, Grimsby, manager).
1944: Aberdeen registry closed. Registered at Grimsby (GY18).
22.5.1946: Returned to owners at Grimsby.
6.1946: Sold to Tilbrook Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (A. J. Tilbrook, manager).
2.7.1946: First landing at Milford (Sk. Utting).
4.8.1947: Last landing at Milford.
6.8.1947: Sailed Milford for Hull and to fish from that port.
1948: Sold to Joseph Croan, Edinburgh.
1951: Grimsby registry closed. Registered at Leith (LH92).
1955: Sold to BISCO (£2,400) and allocated to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd, Charlestown, Fife for breaking up (Contract No.76D).
24.3.1955: Delivered Charlestown from Granton under own power.
4.1955: Breaking up commenced.
1955: Leith registry closed.
This is a snapshot of quite amazing efforts by Rotarians in Frome to live up to their declaration “Service Above Self” during the darkest days of World War Two. It also tells of the efforts of their wives in their Inner Wheel Club, to help Servicemen.
Just four months after war was declared the club “adopted” a trawler, commandeered and pressed into service minesweeping in the Dover Channel. Her name, HMT John Cattling. The Rotarians were not to know she was working in such a “hot spot”, which was to become even “hotter”.
During the dreadful days of the Dunkirk Evacuation she was clearly a life-saver for many because, being just 276 tons, 125 feet in length and drawing just 12 feet 8 inches in depth, she could go inshore and rescue men. Indeed, she was lucky to survive herself when Stuka bombers sunk two sister ships and badly damaged a third whilst the flotilla was alongside Dunkirk’s east mole.
In Frome Rotarians knew nothing of this until a pencil-written letter from the fisherman skipper modestly said he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. There was no detail, censorship was strict, but the wily Rotarians noted that the letters were posted in Dover! It is only post-war that it has been possible to find and tell this story.
Within months more of the crew of the John Cattling were decorated, quite an achievement for a small trawler with a crew of 20. A later letter said the John Cattling had been awarded two DFCs, two DSMs and two Mentioned in Despatches.
Reporting to both the Rotarians and Inner Wheelthe Club Secretary said:
“This adoption is one of the best pieces of social service that our clubs have ever undertaken, and I am pleased to conduct the correspondence with the Skippers.
“Although I have never met the men, their simple and direct letters always leave me with the impression that I know them, and I would like the opportunity of meeting them after the war.”
Steam Trawler mine sweeper, HMT John Cattling
Early in 1940 the Frome Rotary Club, together with the Inner Wheel, adopted the Steam Trawler John Cattling. Every month they sent the crew a parcel consisting of groceries, toiletries, cigarettes, etc. Also the ladies of Inner Wheel were kept busy with their knitting needles. The crew often requested jumpers, socks, scarves and mittens. It is easy to imagine what these comforts meant to the crew during those trying times, showing one more aspect of the generosity of the Frome inhabitants.
Commander officers From and To
1) T/Skr. George William Aldan,DSC, RNR, 30 Jan 1940 – 13 Sep 1940
2) Skr. George Robert Burwood, RNR, 13 Sep 1940 – 4 Apr 1941
3) Ch.Skr. Albert Winterburn Bowles, RNR, 4 Apr 1941 – 30 May 1941
4) Skr. Tom Smith, RNR, 30 May 1941 to late 1942
5) T/Skr. Joseph Thomas Arnold, RNR, late 1942 to 31 Dec 1943
6) T/Skr. Bertram Carlton, RNR, 31 Dec 1943 – 5 Sep 1944
7) T/Skr. Alfred Halliwell, DSC, RNR, 5 Sep 1944 – mid 1945
Pen picture of Frome’s adopted trawler
Letters written by Skippers of the minesweeping trawler, HMT John Cattling, are on display, thanks to the diligence of the Rotary club’s Archivist, Roy Sandoe, in keeping and collating the Frome Club’s records. Please note that some of the letters are written in pencil, which emphasises the conditions when sent. Note also, that all are C/o the GPO London, a familiar address to sailors who could never say – and probably quite often never knew – where their ship would be when replies were sent from home.
The Brave Men who manned the HMT John Cattling:
The Skipper of the trawler when adopted was George Aldan, who became a Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve, which surely means he was a fisherman mustered into the Royal Navy. Records show the DSC he was awarded at Dunkirk was not for minesweeping. It was for his bravery during the evacuation.
Further research records that whilst in Dunkirk harbour she aided the destroyer HMS Grenade, mortally hit by two bombs. The John Cattling towed her away from the main channel to the edge of the outer harbour where she exploded. John Cattling, herself, brought out 77 troops.
Skipper Aldan was wounded a few months later but not whilst at sea! He was a casualty of German bombers whilst ashore on a brief leave. In a letter he says a bomb dropped five yards behind him, making a 20 feet deep hole! He escaped with four wounds! His modest words were: I received a packet last Wednesday evening and am now taking a little rest cure.! Frome Rotary Club kept in touch and asked the Chatham Rotary Club to visit him in hospital.
As a result a new Skipper, George Burwood, was appointed to the John Cattling, in September, 1940. Skipper Burwood, likewise, kept in touch with the Rotary Club, until he moved on in April 1941. Chief Skipper Albert Bowles was in command for a couple of months and then Skipper Tom Smith took over until late 1942. Letters in the archive show that all found time to respond to the letters and parcels from Frome.
The next Skippers were Joseph Arnold for a year until December 1943, when Bertram Carlton took command until September 1944, with Alfred Halliwell, DSC, becoming the final Skipper before she hauled down the White Ensign.
When Skipper George Aldan recovered from his wounds he took command of another minesweeping trawler, HMT Gwenllian in November, 1940, and was promoted to Lieutenant RNR (Royal Naval Reserve). In 1942 he was Mentioned in Despatches, and on June 6, 1944, he received a Bar to his DSC, “for his leadership, skill and devotion to duty, in an important minesweeping operation of the Humber, January 28, 1944.”
Clips from letters to and from “Hell’s Corner”
Rotary Secretary:
“We are forwarding our first parcels which consist of an assortment of eatables, smokes and some knitted garments … If at any time you or any of your crew happen to be in our district we can assure you of a very warm welcome.”
Skipper Aldan:
“I am sorry I could not write before as we have been busy this week. You have congratulated me, would it make you any more pleased to know that your ship has got two DSC’s, two DSM’s and two Mentioned in Despatches for meritorious work at Calais as well as Dunkirk.
“Don’t you think I am proud of the old ship?
“If you tell the kind ladies who send the parcels it will perhaps help to cheer them up during these trying times. The woollens you sent are just the right size.”
Skipper Aldan:
“Just a line to let you know you will have a fresh Skipper in the old J.C. as I received a packet last Wednesday afternoon …
“I was lucky enough to have a bomb drop about five yards from me and escape with only a few scratches which was enough to put me here (Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham).
“I hope you will not forget to write to the old Skipper … remember me to the ladies.”
Rotary secretary:
“Very sorry to hear of your injuries…
“In writing to the old J.C. today we have sent them another two parcels, and our congratulations for their fine performance which they must have put up to secure the decorations they have at Calais and Dunkirk. We think that every credit is due to you as their Skipper…
“I am writing to the Chatham Rotary Club asking them to visit you in hospital, and only hope that a visit from somebody whom you can treat as a friend will be appreciated.”
Skipper Aldan:
“I am pleased to hear you have sent the usual parcels to the old J.C. as they were a good lot of lads.”
Rotary secretary:
“We have today dispatched two parcels of cakes, sweets, etc., and you will receive direct from Player’s a parcel of cigarettes, duty free…
“Our ladies are just commencing knitting for the coming winter months… We recently had a visit from a nephew of one of our members, who served at the Dunkirk show on Malcolm Campbell’s yacht “Bluebird”, and we were delighted to find that he knew you personally, and the trawler.”
New commanding officer, Skipper George Burwood:
I now take the pleasure of thanking you and the members for their kindness to my crew and myself … The mate told me all about your gifts to them. Needless for me to say how grateful we are to receive them.”
H.M.T. JOHN CATTLING
c/o G.P.O. LONDON
Dear Sir,
First of all, let me thank both you and the members of your club for their kindness to myself and my crew. We all appreciate the things you have sent, and realize that to send us the cakes someone must go short of sugar, etc., owing to rationing. We are still policing the channel and the weather has been good to us lately, for which we are thankful.
I have at last managed to secure permission to have the ship and crew photographed and have pleasure in sending you one. I will endeavour to give you a brief summary of the crew. I have numbered everybody off from left to right, starting on the back row.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. George Burrows, age 29, a Fleetwood fisherman who started the sea at the age of 16, as a deck-hand, working his way slowly up, he is married, with two children, and he is serving as second-hand on board our ship.
9) Tom Buckley, age 21, a Manchester clerk who had never been to sea before in his life, until he joined the J.C., and now thinks there is no other life worth living. He is thinking of getting married on his next leave, he is our Sparks.
10) Leslie Harrison, age 19, from Birmingham, also a clerk, never having been to sea before, and wishing he still hadn’t. A young boy, trying to do his bit, he is our “Bunts”.
11) Geoffrey Hey, age 21, from Halifax. A woollen spinner, he also had never been to sea before and still does not think much of it. He is one of our stokers.
12) Russel Winney, age 36, from Ipswich, who served in a tailor’s shop for 21 years, and was also a great yachting enthusiast. Tried to get in as a writer, but is now using a shovel instead of a pen. He is married and has a daughter of 10 years. He is also a stoker.
13) Charles Kuble, age 22. From Barrow-in Furness, who served as assistant cook in cargo ships, so is no stranger to the sea. He is our cook.
14) Earnest Smith, age 25, from Milford Haven. A fisherman starting the sea at the age of 16 years. Married with a young wife and baby daughter. He is our Leading Seaman.
15) Earnest Yarborough, age 24, from Grimsby. Starting as a deck-hand on a trawler at the age of 16. You already know he won the D.S.M. He is married and has one daughter. He is our Gunner.
16) George Macdonald. From Fraserburgh, Scotland, aged 27, was a cooper by trade, also had little sea experience. Married with a wife and three children. He is one of our Seamen.
17) Kenneth Gurdlestone, age 19, from Grimsby, who had just started to serve on trawlers when he was called up, also a Seaman.
18) John Donothy, age 22, from Hexham, he was a house decorator and painter in civil life, who took to the sea like a duck to water, also a Seaman.
19) Frank Binfield, age 21, from Gillingham. He was a traveller for one of the local tailors, and had never been to sea, but now enjoys it immensely. He is our Ship’s Steward.
20) George Scrimgour, age 32, from Blythe. He was a Donkey-man in the Merchant Navy, starting the sea at the age of 18 years. A married man with a wife and two children. He is our 2nd Engineer.
21) James Foster, age 27, from Hull. Starting as a spare-hand at the age of 19. He is single but considering marriage. He is our Point Five Gunner.
22) Joe Pendergast, age 27, from Hull. He started the sea as a trimmer at the age of 15, is married and has three children. He is going through for engine-man, and is one of our Stokers.
23) Kenneth West, age 24, from Whitstable. Was a butcher by trade, also a keen yachtsman. He is the man who looks after our diesel engine. He is married with a wife and young baby.
24) Myself, age 34, from Aberdeen, Scotland. Starting the sea at the age of 15, as a deckhand and working my way up the tree until I reached the position of Skipper at the age of 24. I am married, and have a young daughter age 5½. I am Skipper and in charge of the ship.
25) James Mason, age 35, from Milford Haven. Starting the life of a fisherman at the age of 18, and gradually working his way up to Chief Engineer. He is single and does not believe in women and marriage. He is our Chief Engine-man.
26) Ernest Emery, age 24, From Hertfordshire. In civil life was an electric wireman. He had never seen the sea until he joined the J.C. He has done some good work since he joined, being mentioned in dispatches, also thinking of getting married on his next leave. He is our wireman.
27) George Greener, age 26 from Southend, was a cabin boy in passenger ships and always complains when we are not at sea. He is single and intends to remain that way, or so he says. He is another of our seamen.
28) Alfred Littlefield, age 22 from London. Was a flour-mixer in civil life and does not like the life of a sailor. He is our assistant cook.
I have now mentioned all the members of our crew, except the cat, which we picked up from a piece of floating wreckage, from a ship which had just been sunk by a mine. She makes a nice pet and is well cared for by the boys.
As you will notice we are a mixed crowd, but never-the-less get along quite well together. We unfortunately have our longest serving member of our crew in hospital, with a bad accident to his finger. His name is Thomas Weston, age 21 from Birmingham. A glass-blower by trade, and now serving as a stoker on board.
You will realize that being at war the ship has had many changes of crew, but is still the “J.C.” which has done so well on the Dover Patrol.
In closing I again wish to thank you all for your kindness, and sincerely hope “jerry” still leaves you all alone,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
G. R. Burwood Sk R.N.R.
P.S. I hope you will accept my apologies for being so long in replying, only we have been waiting for the photographs to come through.
Skipper George Aldan, DSC and Bar
First Commanding Officer of HMT John Cattling was Skipper George Aldan. His bravery at Dunkirk earned him the DSC, (the Distinguished Service Cross). Whilst alongside the harbour wall in the stricken evacuation port, his ship along with others was dived bombed by Stukas. Two sister ships were sunk, another badly damaged, and a destroyer mortally wounded. George Aldan and his 19-strong crew towed the destroyer, HMS Grenade away from blocking the channel, out to the edge of the outer harbour where the destroyer exploded!
The John Cattling, with her crew of 20, herself brought home 77 soldiers. None of this detail was known to the Frome Rotarians.
George Aldan, a fisherman in peacetime, after being injured, moved on to command a sister ship, HMS Gwenllian. In the King’s Birthday Honours of 1942 he was Mentioned in Despatches and in April 1944 he was decorated again.
He received a Bar to his DSC for “Leadership, skill and devotion to duty in an important minesweeping operation in the Humber area in January 1944”. By that time he was promoted to be a Lieutenant, RNR, (Royal Naval Reserve).
The Rotary Secretary reported to the club in December, 1940, that “We have been able to arrange for the Adoption of his new ship by the Frome Knitting Circle, under the leadership of Miss Burchell.”
STOP PRESS
Six sailors’ lives were saved by the John Cattling on May 24, 1940. She picked up an officer and five ratings from a carley float, survivors of the destroyer HMS Wessex, which was bombed and sunk as she left Dover.
Carley floats were made just a few hundred yards from this museum at Notts Industries, Frome, during World War Two. Many lives were saved with the floats. One is an exhibit in the museum.
Sadly Skipper George Burwood was killed on January 13, 1942. During an air raid bombers struck the stone-frigate shore base, HMS Europa, in Lowestoft and a number of Royal Naval men and women died. Before joining HMT John Cattling – succeeding Skipper George Aldan, when he was injured ashore in a bombing raid – Skipper Burwood survived the sinking of his previous ship, another mine-sweeping trawler, in a collision with a mystery ship.
Additional material courtesy of Barry Banham and Maurice Voss
Technical
Official Number: 146439
Yard Number: 762
Completed: 1921
Gross Tonnage: 97
Net Tonnage: 35
Length: 85.2 ft
Breadth: 19.1 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl by International Engine Works, Amherst, Nova Scotia to a Goldie & McCulloch Co Ltd, Galt, Ontario design
Boiler: International Engine Works, Amherst, Nova Scotia.
(All machinery new 1917 and ex Canadian wooden Admiralty drifter CD.24)
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
History
9.1921: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.762) for John McCann, Hull (Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull) as BIOTA.
23.1.1922: Completed.
21.2.1922: Transferred to Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull (John McCann & Edward Cartwright, managers).
21.2.1922: Registered at Hull (H425).
3.1925: Sold to Soc. Anon. Armement Ostendais, Ostend.
26.3.1925: Hull registry closed. Registered at Ostend as PAUL PASTUR (O234).
3.4.1925: Arrived Ostend in company with FERNAND HARDYNS (O235) (ex DEUTZIA (H435))
14.6.1930: Laid up.
6.2.1936: Sold to Jubilee Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Alfred S. Ling, manager).
13.7.1936: Registered at Lowestoft as CICERO (LT141).
Post 1937: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agents).
12.11.1941: Sold to Berrys (Stranraer) Ltd, Stranraer (James Berry, manager).
3.12.1941: Lowestoft registry closed “No longer used for fishing”.
15.8.1943: Requisitioned for war service with Ministry of Aircraft Production (Berrys (Stranraer) Ltd, managers) (Hire rate £25.0.0d/month).
Post 1945: Returned to owner.
1948: Sold for breaking up.
Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham, Maurice Voss and Jan Harteveld
Technical
Official Number: 146459
Yard Number: 768
Completed: 1922
Gross Tonnage: 97
Net Tonnage: 35
Length: 85.2 ft
Breadth: 19.1
Depth: 9.0 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl by International Engine Works, Amherst, Nova Scotia to a Goldie & McCulloch Co Ltd, Galt, Ontario design
Boiler: International Engine Works, Amherst, Nova Scotia
(All machinery new 1917 and ex Canadian wooden Admiralty drifter CD.48)
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
History
14.2.1922: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.768) for John McCann, Hull (Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull) as OLEARIA.
28.3.1922: Completed.
25.4.1922: Registered at Hull (H478).
8.5.1922: Transferred to Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull (John McCann & Edward Cartwright, managers).
2.1925: Sold to L. Espersen, Denmark.
17.2.1925: Hull registry closed.
1925: Sold to Soc. Anon. Armement Ostendais, Ostend.
25.11.1925: Registered at Ostend as HECTOR DENIS (O237).
16.9.1930: Laid up for several months.
6.2.1936: Sold to Jubilee Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Alfred S. Ling, manager). Ostend registry closed.
16.4.1936: Registered at Lowestoft as ALCOR (LT140).
Post 1937: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agents).
24.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY960) (Hire rate £35.3.3d/month).
3.1942: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
12.8.1943: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (William A. Bennett, manager).
12.1943: Employed on port duties.
8.4.1945: Arrived Lowestoft for restoration and survey.
17.9.1945: Returned to owner.
8.1948: Sold to Jozef Arts, Ostend.
14.8.1948: Lowestoft registry closed.
12.5.1948: Taken in hand by Scheepswerf Seghers, Ostend for conversion to motor and fitted with a 270bhp 4 stroke 5-cyl oil engine by Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln.
1948: Re measured 99,72g 42,98n
20.9.1948: Renamed MARJOLENE on completion.
31.9.1948: Registered as a motor trawler at Ostend as MARJOLENE. (O337).
5.1950: Sold to P.V.B.A. Arts & Co, Ostend.
4.3.1955: Crewman Emiel Makelberghe washed overboard and drowned.
22.12.1956: Whilst on passage home from Newlyn for Christmas when off Start Point started to take in water in the engine room. Taken in tow by Brixham motor trawler ROGER BUSHELL (BM 76) but started to settle and foundered in position 50 14 12 N 03 08 45 W. All crew picked up by Roger Bushell and landed at Brixham.
Official Number: 96206
Yard Number: 29
Completed: 1889
Gross Tonnage: 155g
Net Tonnage: 71
Length: 100.9 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 11.0 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Built: Cochrane, Hamilton, Cooper & Schofield, Beverley
History
31.7.1889: Launched by Cochrane, Hamilton, Cooper & Schofield, Beverley (Yd.No.29) for The North Eastern Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as DAHLIA.
8.1889: Completed (George Doughty, manager).
31.8.1889: Registered at Grimsby (GY223).
1896: Re measured 91n.
1.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.731).
1915: Henry Morrice appointed manager.
1910: New boiler fitted.
11.10.1915: Registered at Grimsby as DAHLIA II (GY223).
7.1918: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
12.1919: Sold to Thomas W. Baskcomb, Grimsby (managing owner).
20.3.1922: Registered at Grimsby as DAHLIA (GY223).
10.1935: Fleet of Thomas W. Baskcomb sold to Fred Parkes, Fleetwood.
11.1935: Sold to Consolidated Fisheries Ltd, Grimsby (Sir John D. Marsden, Bart, manager). Transferred to Lowestoft.
27.11.1935: Grimsby registry closed.
29.11.1935: Registered at Lowestoft (LT109).
1938: Sold to shipbreakers at Willebroek, Belgium.
6.10.1938: Sailed Lowestoft for Belgium.
20.8.1938: Lowestoft registry closed “Sold to Belgium for demolition”.
Official Number: 122713
Yard Number: 355
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 250
Net Tonnage: 105
Length: 127.0 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 11.4 ft
T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons, Selby
History
14.11.1905: Launched by Cochrane & Sons, Selby (Yd.No.355) for Edward C. Grant, Grimsby as FORWARD.
20.1.1905: Registered at Grimsby (GY98).
25.1.1905: Completed (Edward C. Grant managing owner).
11.1914: Sold to Thomas W. Baskcomb, Grimsby (managing owner).
4.1915: Requisitioned for was service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1409).
5.1915: Renamed FORWARD II. Based Buncrana.
12.1915: Sold to Rowland Hill, Grimsby (Walter H. Beeley, manager).
2.1917: Sold to Albert W. Green, Grimsby (managing owner).
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
11.1922: Sold to Grimsby Trawler Owners Direct Fish Supply Co Ltd, Grimsby (Thomas W. Baskcomb, manager).
9.1923: Sold to Thomas W. Baskcomb, Grimsby (managing owner).
10.1935: Fleet of Thomas W. Baskcomb sold to Fred Parkes, Fleetwood.
12.1937: Sold for breaking up.
Walter passed away on Thursday evening, 26 April 2012 after being taken into hospital with pneumonia about a month ago. A master mariner from a Newhaven/Granton family of trawler owners/skippers and possessing a keen interest in all things concerning the fishing industry, his willingness to share his knowledge and comprehensive records with fellow researchers was appreciated and underlines much of the databases built up at Fleetwood and Granton. We shall all miss him, his cheerful disposition and his dry sense of humour. RIP.
Official Number: 127399
Yard Number: 168
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 91
Net Tonnage: 39
Length: 87.5 ft
Breadth: 19.2 ft
Depth: 9.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Cooper & Grieg Ltd, Dundee
Built: J. & G. Forbes, Sandhaven
History
Wooden built
1918: Purchased by The Admiralty on the stocks.
1918: Launched by J. & G. Forbes, Sandhaven (Yd.No.168) (“non-standard Admiralty drifter”) for The Admiralty as FLAT CALM.
3.6.1918: Completed as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.3890).
1930: De-commissioned and offered for sale.
3.1930: Sold to Alexander West, Gardenstown & others (Alexander West managing owner).
14.4.1930: Registered at Banff as ROWAN TREE (BF199).
1938: White fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent). 1939: Sold to Mrs E. West, Gardenstown & others.
25.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
21.11.1941: Sailed Lowestoft at 8.15 am and returning to port at about 3.00 pm struck shoulder of recently formed sand bank at the entrance. Lowestoft lifeboat MICHAEL STEPHEN (Cox Albert Spurgeon) launched at 3.30 approached and connected but line parted. Capsized when local tug had line connected, crew scrambling on to upturned hull. Cox Spurgeon took the MICHAEL STEPHEN alongside twice and took off all fifteen crew. Landed safely at Lowestoft.
12.1941: Banff registry closed declared a total loss.
Official Number: 122708
Yard Number: 508
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 233
Net Tonnage: 102
Length: 123.6 ft
Breadth: 22.0 ft
Depth: 11.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
History
17.10.1905: Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull (Yd.No.508) for D Line Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Arthur Jeffs, manager) as DEVERON.
11.1905: Completed. Registered at Grimsby (GY96).
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (1-7.5″ A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.695). Based Moray Command.
2.7.1918: At Invergordon fitted 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer.
1919: Returned to owner.
7.1920: New boiler fitted
1.1928: Sold to Walter Garratt, Grimsby.
9.1932: Sold to T. E. Fisher, Grimsby.
4.1935: Sold to Charles Dobson, Grimsby.
21.1.1938: In thick fog in the North Sea in collision with Danish steamer PONTUS.
22.1.1938: Arrived Lowestoft escorted by WOLSELEY (LT410).
2.1941: Sold to Perihelion Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Herbert G. Crampin, manager).
4.1944 – 1.1945: Fishing from Fleetwood.
4.1945: Sold to Deveron Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Albert W. Butt, manager).
10.1954: Sold for breaking up.
Click to enlarge images
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
S.T. Deveron GY96
Picture courtesy of Steve Farrow
