Technical

Admiralty Number: 4422
Official Number: 139805
Yard Number: 649
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 203
Net Tonnage: 88
Length: 115.4 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

30.1.1919: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.649) (“Strath” class) for The Admiralty as WILLIAM BENTLEY.
1919: Sold to Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (J.S. Doeg, manager)
1.3.1919: Completed as BRACONHILL.
14.3.1919: Registered at Aberdeen (A138).
1926: Sold to Sam Robford Co Ltd, London (Keith R. Hoare, London, manager). Transferred to Fleetwood.
1927: Sold to Arthur Ogg, Aberdeen (Richard W. Lewis & Sons Ltd, managers).
Pre 1930: Delete managers.
1933: Sold to Bracken Steam Trawling Co (Aberdeen) Ltd, Aberdeen (W.A. Leith, manager).
1936: Sold to G. R. Wood, Aberdeen.
1937: Sold to G. Wood (Aberdeen) Ltd, Aberdeen (G. R. Wood, manager).
27.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (Hire rate £63.8.9d/month).
12.2.1940: Returned to owner.
16.8.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No. ) (Hire rate £63.8.9d/month).
1940: Sold to G. R. Purdy Trawlers Ltd, North Shields (George R. Purdy, manager).
6.1945: Surveyed and restored at Newcastle.
2.7.1945: Returned to owner.
1946: Registered at Aberdeen as AGNES PURDY (A138).
1958: Sold to W. H. Dodds & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (A. W. King, manager). Registered at Aberdeen as PHALAROPE (A138).
1963: Sold for breaking up.

Technical

Official Number: 110886
Yard Number: 229
Completed: 1899
Gross Tonnage: 186
Net Tonnage: 76
Length: 110.0 ft
Breadth: 21.2 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by C. D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Cooper Ltd, Selby

History

6.1899: Completed by Cochrane & Cooper Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.229) for Thomas Baskcomb, Grimsby as AGAMI.
3.6.1899: Completed.
5.6.1899: Registered at Grimsby (GY143).
1.1911: Sold to The Marshall Line Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Alick (Alec) Black, manager).
1913: Fishing From Fleetwood.
6. 1914: Sold to The Savoy Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (H. Croft Baker, manager).
11.1915: Sold to J. L. Green, Grimsby.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released.
11.1924: Sold to Grimsby Trawler Owners’ Direct Fish Supply Co Ltd, Grimsby (T. W. Baskcomb, manager).
9.1937: Sold for breaking up.
23.9.1937: Grimsby registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Agami GY143
Picture courtesy of Steve Farrow

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3679
Official Number: 143465
Yard Number: 359
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 277
Net Tonnage: 122
Length: 125.7
Breadth: 23.4
Depth: 12.8 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Renfrew
Built: Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Renfrew

History

28.6.1918: Launched by Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Renfrew (Yd.No.359) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as CHARLES DONNELLY.
12.7.1918: Completed (1-12pdr, Hydro and W/T).
4.5.1920: Sold by auction at Milford to D. Pettit, Hakin for £8500.
25.5.1920: Registered at London (LO358).
10.7.1920: Registered at London as CALYDAVIA (LO358).
10.7.1920: London registry closed.
21.7.1920: Registered at Milford (M110).
1920: Transferred to D. Pettit Ltd, Milford Haven (Mrs Elizabeth A. H. Pettit, manager)
19??: Mrs Elizabeth A. H. Pettit designated manager.
2.11.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
4.2.1935: Sold to Liston Carnie, William Carnie Jnr and Thomas Young Carnie, Glasgow & Newhaven.
4.2.1936: Milford registry closed.
2.1936: Registered at Granton as PELAGOS (GN55).
1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
9.3.1940: Fishing 12 miles NW of Tory Island, Co. Donegal in company with ALVIS (H52); FLYING ADMIRAL (H66); JOHN MORRICE (A786) and SEDOCK (GY123) and reported with the Irish trawler LEUKOS (D86) also in the vicinity. Group approached by U-boat (U.38) which fired a single round at a trawler, hitting her in the engineroom and she subsequently sank. Although no conclusive evidence confirms, the trawler probably was the LEUKOS; all eleven crew lost*.
Pre 4.1940: Employed on Fishery Protection (WA/Fort William/Fleetwood).
30.5.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (P.No.4.103) (Hire rate £83.2.0d/month).
3.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper.
1942: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
1945: Sold to Joseph Craig, Aberdeen.
8.1945: Returned to owner.
1945: Granton registry closed.
1945: Registered at Aberdeen (A589).
1953: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Malcolm Brechin, Granton for breaking up.
30.12.1953: Arrived Granton from Aberdeen under own power.

(Lost* – Sk. James P. Thomason (28), Fleetwood & Dublin; William Donnelly, Blackpool, Mate; P. J. Scanlon, Cleethorpes, Bosun; Alexander McLeod, Stornoway, Ch Eng; Bernard Smith (23), Dublin, 2nd Eng; Thomas Mulligan, Fleetwood & Dublin & Anthony Pill, Fleetwood & Dublin, deckhands; Michael Cullen (17), Dublin, fireman; Patricio McCarthy (42) Dublin, cook; James Hawkins (17) Fleetwood & Dublin & Robert Sumler (16), Fleetwood & Dublin, apprentices)

Technical

Official Number: 163097
Yard Number: 572
Completed: 1932
Gross Tonnage: 294
Net Tonnage: 135
Length: 129.0 ft
Breadth: 24.0 ft
Depth: 12.9 ft
T.3-cyl by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell

History

27.9.1929: The Board of Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd requested Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd to submit a design for a new class of trawler for use on the North Sea and Faroes grounds.
18.12.1929: Design was approved and contracts signed with the shipyard to build the ships and with C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd to make the engine and boiler at a total cost of £14,025. The name chosen was AVANTURINE (Yd.No.542). In the tender the shipyard included the option to build additional vessels to this design at the same price.
19.1.1931: The option was exercised and a further two vessels ordered, the price agreed was £13,850 and names chosen SIBERITE (Yd.No.564) and EUCLUSE (Yd.No.565).
20.1.1932: Two further vessels were ordered the price agreed being £13,450. The names chosen were ALMANDINE and PYROPE. Total cost for ALMANDINE, with amendments, fishing gear and other equipment £14,024.11.10d.
5.4.1932: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.572) for Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as ALMANDINE.
30.4.1932: Registered at Hull (H415).
12.5.1932: Completed (John William Lown, manager).
14.5.1932: Sailed on first trip to Faroe grounds.
4.8.1932: Landed 641 kits of herring grossed £361.
19.10.1933: In strong SSE wind connected to trawler De la POLE (H395) disabled with fouled propeller.
20.10.1933: Delivered Hull (awarded £250 by Hull Steam Trawlers Mutual Insurance & Protecting Co Ltd).
19.11.1938: On St. Andrew’s Dock slip fitted with bronze propeller.
30.5.1939: In Princess Dock, Hull. Boiler fitted with superheater by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd.
29.8.1939: Admiralty telegram informing owners that ship would be requisitioned at 5.00 pm.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service (Hire rate £162.5.0d/month).
1.9.1939: Sailed for London with RN crew. Fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No. FY645) (Hire rate £162.5.0d/month).
1940: Based Grimsby with M/S Group 40 (Ch. Sk. A. Robb, RNR).
10.2.1940: Steam trawler THERESA BOYLE (GN4) (Sk. Oliver Bell) damaged by German air attack when fishing 115 miles ExN of Aberdeen. Took to boat and vessel foundered.
12 .2.1940: At 4.30 p.m. RAF aircraft overflew boat, rocket fired. Aircraft communicated with HMTrawlers BRABANT (GY544) (P.No.FY.690) and ALMANDINE (H415) (P.No.FY.645), ‘sweeping 10 miles away. After 50 hours in open boat picked up by ALMANDINE and landed at ?? at 6.00 p.m. all crew suffering from exposure.
1.1941: At Grimsby (Ty. Sk. S. A. White RNR).
5.1.1943: Returning in company to the Humber in a storm with snow squalls, stranded on a sand bank. Spurn lifeboat attended and at great risk to herself took off nineteen crew and landed them on the beach. Refloated on flood, tug connected and after taking off three remaining crew, proceeded to Grimsby.
10.7.1945: Off Lizard Point, Cornwall picked up eleven survivors from HM Trawler KURD (H344/P.No.FY639) (Ty. Act Lt Cdr Roy Barratt RNR) which had been mined with loss of sixteen crew including CO*.
22.5.1946: Returned after refurbishment at Hull by Stewart & Graig Ltd.
22.5.1946: Sailed on trip to Faroe grounds.
30.9.1948: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd, Milford Haven (Owen W. Limbrick, manager) for £27,500.
10.1959: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
16.2.1960: Reginald James Parry appointed manager.
17.2.1962: Sold to Hammond Lane Metal Co Ltd, Dublin (Donald James Flavin, manager).
2.3.1962: Sold to Mrs Daisy Pretoria Carter, Milford Haven (Alastair Adams, manager).
1962: Laid up at Milford.
10.6.1963: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
10.1963: Sold to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
7.12.1963: Arrived Troon Harbour (draughts 6’0”/15’3”).
16.12.1963: Breaking commenced.
30.1.1964: Beached (draughts 7’0”/8’9”).
17.3.1964: Rebeached.
16.4.1964: Breaking completed.
15.6.1964: Hull registry closed “Broken up”.

(MPK* – Ty Act Lt Cdr Roy Barrett RNR; Ty Sub Lieut. Ronald W. Wooden RNVR; Edwin Spooner, Ch.Engineman; Edward H. F. Ranson, Engineman; Cyril G. Lowe, PO; William Bassett, Ldg Seaman; Frederick W. H. Griffiths, Ldg Cook; Thomas A. Aitken, John G. Bond, Vincent Ware, Charles R, Wright, Seamen; Dennis R.H. Faulkner, Ord Seaman; Patrick J. McQuade, Telegraphist; Insull C. Guest, Stoker; Kenneth G. Bray, Stoker 2c)

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S.T. Almandine H415
Picture courtesy of Grimsby Reference Library

Technical

Official Number: 162276
Yard Number: 632
Completed: 1931
Gross Tonnage: 356
Net Tonnage: 163
Length: 140.3 ft
Breadth: 24.6 ft
Depth: 13.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

23.12.1930: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.632) for Don Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen as BRACONMOOR.
1.1931: Completed (J. S. Doeg, manager).
23.1.1931: Registered at Aberdeen (A143).
27.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.686) (Hire rate £185.8.4d/month).
1940: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
8.1946: Returned to owner.
1946: Sold to Government of Poland, Warsaw (Ministry of Industry & Commerce) (“Dalmor” Przedsiobiorstwo Polowow DalekomorskichSp.z.ogr.odp, Gdynia, managers) under the UNRRA scheme. Aberdeen registry closed. Registered at Gdynia as WEGA (GDY??).
20.3.1966: Sold for breaking up at Gdansk.

Technical

Official Number: 137620
Yard Number: 584
Completed: 1920
Gross Tonnage: 200
Net Tonnage: 76
Length: 115.5 ft
Breadth: 22.0 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Boiler: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

9.1.1920: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.584) for C. H. George, Caister on Sea, Gt Yarmouth as DONUM MARIS.
6.8.1920: Registered at Gt. Yarmouth (YH227).
7.1920: Completed.
12.8.1920: Sold to Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (J.S. Doeg, manager).
14.9.1920: Yarmouth registry closed.
23.9.1920: Registered at Aberdeen as BRACONLEA (A227).
17.3.1940: In North Sea in company with AVONDEE (A826), bombed by German aircraft; no damage sustained and fire returned.
1941: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (B.A. Parkes, manager).
7.1945: Sold to Haven Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (R. P. Lewis, manager).
1946: Sold to John W. Johnstone, Aberdeen.
5.10.1952: While making for Mid Yell Voe, Shetland struck rocks at Bass of Hascosaya, entrance to Voe; crew saved. Subsequently declared a CTL.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Braconlea A227
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

Technical

Official Number: 127404
Yard Number: 360
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 240
Net Tonnage: 71
Length: 120.2 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Boile: Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

8.10.1907: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.360) for D. Pettit, Milford Haven as CLEOPATRA.
18.11.1907: Registered at Milford (M213).
11.1907: Completed.
19??: Sold to David Pettit Ltd, Milford Haven (Mrs Elizabeth A. H. Pettit, manager).
24.1.1910: Laying to in heavy gale and shipping seas, 275 miles W by 1/4S from St. Anne’s Head, lost boat and other damage (Sk. J. Bryant).
31.10.1910: Fishing 240 miles W by S from St. Ann’s Head, caught gear of ABELARD (M17). Port bow damaged by ABELARD when hauling (Sk. George Gibbs).
12.3.1914: In heavy seas proceeding to Crook Haven, Co. Cork for shelter (Sk. Walter Smith). Ch. Eng., John Bowen (37) slipped when getting up ashes and was lost overboard and drowned.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minesweeping duties (Ad.No.140).
12.1914: Renamed CLEOPATRA II.
1919: Returned.
20.10.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
21.11.1934: Sold to Harley & Miller Ltd, Liverpool.
11.1934: Milford registry closed.
11.1934: Registered at Liverpool (LL47).
7.1937: Sold to E. E. Carter, Milford Haven (Westward Trawling Co Ltd).
11.1937: Liverpool registry closed.
12.7.1937: Registered at Milford (M235).
29.11.1939: Requistioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties (employed as auxiliary patrol). Renamed TEAZER (Hire rate £60.0.0d/month).
2.1940: Returned and reverted to CLEOPATRA II (M235).
2.1960: Sold to Haulbowline Industries Ltd, Passage West, Cork for demolition.
8.2.1960: Sailed Milford for Cork (Sk. Tom Salter).
21.3.1960: Milford registry closed.

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4472
Official Number: 139348
Yard Number: 170
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 203
Net Tonnage: 88
Length: 115.4 ft
Breadth: 22.2 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hawthorns & Co Ltd, Leith
Boiler: Hawthorns & Co Ltd, Leith
Built: Hawthorns & Co Ltd, Leith

History

1.1919: Launched by Hawthorns & Co Ltd, Leith (Yd.No.170) (“Strath” class) for The Admiralty as WILLIAM CHALMERS.
1919: Sold to L. C. Cockrell, Wivenhoe.
2.5.1919: Renamed CRADOCK.
30.8.1919: Completed.
8.9.1919: Registered at Hull (H78).
17.9.1919: Hull registry closed.
22.9.1919: Registered at Lowestoft (LT591).
12.1919: Sold to Vanessa Fishing Co Ltd, Wivenhoe (L.C. Cockrell, manager).
1923: Sold to Arthur S. Bowlby, Harlow (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
1925: Sold to Vanessa Fishing Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
7.1928: Sold to Robert Taylor & Sons Ltd, Dundee.
5.1933: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil Parkes, manager).
12.1933: Sold to Shields Engineering & Dry Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (R. Irvin & Sons Ltd, managers).
23.12.1933: Lowestoft registry closed.
15.1.1934: Registered at North Shields (SN8).
8.11.1941: Attacked and bombed by German aircraft, 14 miles NNE of St. Abbs Head and subsequently foundered; crew of nine away in lifeboat.
19.11.1941: North Shields registry closed.

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S.T. Cradock LT591
Picture courtesy of Steve Farrow

Technical

Official Number: 118667
Yard Number: 356
Completed: 1911
Gross Tonnage: 92
Net Tonnage: 38
Length: 86.0 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Draught: 8.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by J. Abernethy & Co, Aberdeen
Built: John Duthie Torry Shipbuilders, Aberdeen

History

Note spelling of name with the accented E (MARÉ) is correct. MARE is used to allow the search engine to find the entry.

1911: Launched by John Duthie Torry Shipbuilders, Aberdeen (Yd.No.355) for Joseph Johnston & Sons Ltd, Montrose as MARÉ.
6.1911: Completed (William D. Johnston, manager).
12.6.1911: Registered at Montrose (ME156).
7.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter.(1-3pdr) (Ad.No.2200).
1918: Based Taranto.
1919: Returned to owner.
3.1921: Sold to W. Widram, Eyemouth.
21.3.1921: Montrose registry closed. Registered at Berwick-on-Tweed (BK416).
11.1927: Sold to Frank C. Burton, Lowestoft.
11.1927: Berwick-on-Tweed registry closed.
29.11.1927: Registered at Lowestoft (LT362).
22.12.1927: Sold to Provincial Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Frank C. Burton) (Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland, manager).
22.4.1930: Frank C. Burton died.
22.5.1933: In accordance with terms of Will vessel registered to Edith Clara Burton (16/64), Clement Ernest Burton (16/64), Arthur Gouldby (16/64), George Mitchell (16/64), trading as Provincial Fishing Co Ltd (Arthur Gouldby, manager).
1936: Fishing from Fleetwood (New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, managing agents).
13.7.1936: Last landing at Fleetwood, 48 boxes grossed £96. Laid up at Fleetwood.
1.1937: Sailed Fleetwood for Milford.
31.1.1937: Landed at Milford (Sk. Walter Aldridge Jnr).
10.2.1937: Sold to Kenneth Llewellyn, Milford Haven (16/64), Sk. John William Chenery, Lowestoft (16/64), George Mitchell, Lowestoft (16/64), Arthur Claude Mitchell, Lowestoft (16/64) (Arthur Claude Mitchell, manager).
20.8.1938: On a trip from Milford (Sk. Jack Chenery). Responded to distress from Glasgow steam coaster GIRASOL (648grt/1926) off Pembroke coast abandoned with
severe list due to cargo shifting and crew picked up by Glasgow steamer SHUNA (1575grt/1937)and Liverpool steamer AGUILA (3255grt/1917). Having stood by and vessel had not foundered, boarded and at 6.20 pm. connected and commenced tow to Milford.
21.8.1934: Delivered Milford at 9.00 am and beached.
28.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as on balloon barrage (P.No.FY1508) (Hire rate £25.0.0d/month).
6.1940: At Dunkirk evacuation.
1940: Fitted out as a minesweeper (Hire rate £26.2.9d/month). Based Lowestoft, Harwich, Felixstowe.
1.1942: Based at Ipswich as Armed Patrol Drifter (2-MGs (1×2)).
12.10.1945: Returned to owner.
1946: Sold for breaking up.
16.1.1947: Lowestoft registry closed.

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S.D/T. Maré LT362
Picture courtesy of John Clarkson

Note: Flamborough was not a Fleetwood vessel and. as such, only appears in the “Non Fleetwood” category. It forms part of a deeper look into the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd and Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the effect that they had on the fishing industry at Fleetwood.

Technical

Official Number: 144071
Completed: 1917
Length: 132.6 ft
Breadth: 23.3 ft
Depth: 12.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg
Built: Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg

History

1917: Completed by Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg (Yd.No.Not recorded) for Norddeutsche Hochseefischerei Act. Ges., Wesermünde-G as MURWIK. Registered at Wesrmünde-G. Requisitioned for war service in Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy).
1919: Returned.
1921: Sold to Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Hull.
19.4.1921: Registered at Hull as FLAMBOROUGH (H261). O.N.144071.
22.4.1921: Joseph Vivian appointed manager.
8.6.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
6.3.1923: Mortgagee re-styled as Westminster Bank Ltd, London.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to William Augustus Hayward, Eastbourne.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd, London.
22.10.1928: Robert Burton appointed manager.
16.9.1932: Charles Hugh Emerson appointed manager.
10.1932: Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd in liquidation.
1.11.1932: Mortgage (A) transferred to Harold Frank Hayward, London; Maud Florence Katherina Rogers, Chelsea and Ernest Norton, London (Joint mortgagees).
16.9.1932: Charles Hugh Emerson appointed manager.
3.1936: Combined boxing and trawling fleet of Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd consisting of 59 vessels laid up at Hull (declining catches, coal bill and increased maintenance costs had made the venture uneconomical). 6.3.1936: At Extraordinary General Meeting at Hull, Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd placed in Creditors’ Voluntary Winding-up (Richard Field Helm of Messrs Hodgson Harris & Co, Hull appointed liquidators).
8.4.1936: Sold to A/S Shetland (F. N. Nordbö A/S), Haugesund. Sale effected by joint mortgagees under mortgage (A).
8.4.1936: Hull registry closed “Sold to Norwegians for trading”. Registered at Haugesund as SHETLAND.
6.1937: Foundered.

Click to enlarge image

Boxing Fleet

Note: Wartime visitor. This entry forms part of a deeper look into the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd and Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the effect that they had on the fishing industry at Fleetwood.

Technical

Official Number: 144072
Completed: 1918
Length: 132.6 ft
Breadth: 23.3 ft
Depth: 12.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg
Built: Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg

History

1918: Completed by Flensburger Schiffsbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg (Yd.No.Not recorded) for Norddeutsche Hochseefischerei Act. Ges., Wesermünde-G as APENRADE. Registered at Wesrmünde-G. Requisitioned for war service in Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) as a naval escort and assigned to 8 Geleitflotille (Escort Flotilla).
1920: Taken in reparation and assigned to Great Britain.
1921: Sold to Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Hull.
19.4.1921: Registered at Hull as WITHERNSEA (H263).(BoT Minute M.4695 dated 4 March 1921) O.N.144072.
8.6.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
22.4.1921: Joseph Vivian appointed manager.
6.3.1923: Mortgagee re-styled as Westminster Bank Ltd, London.
1925: New boiler.
22.10.1925: Robert Burton appointed manager.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to William Augustus Hayward, Eastbourne.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd, London.
22.10.1928: Robert Burton appointed manager.
27.12.1930: Capsized against dock wall, St. Andrew’s Dock, Hull. Pulled upright by fish dock tug and pumped out.
16.9.1932: Charles Hugh Emerson appointed manager.
10.1932: Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd in liquidation.
1.11.1932: Mortgage (A) transferred to Harold Frank Hayward, London; Maud Florence Katherina Rogers, Chelsea and Ernest Norton, London (Joint mortgagees).
25.2.1936: Sailed Hull for Faroes grounds (Sk. Gough).
10.3.1936: At Hull landed 350 kits (14 days) grossed £561. Laid up.
3.1936: Combined boxing and trawling fleet of Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd consisting of 59 vessels laid up at Hull (declining catches, coal bill and increased maintenance costs had made the venture uneconomical).
6.3.1936: At Extraordinary General Meeting at Hull, Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd placed in Creditors’ Voluntary Winding-up (Richard Field Helm of Messrs Hodgson Harris & Co, Hull appointed liquidators).
8.6.1936: Sold to David Pearson, Hull (managing owner) under mortgage (A).
14.1.1937: Vessel (64/64) mortgage for £750 with interest at 5% with H. Markham Cook, Grimsby (B).
31.3.1937: Mortgage (B) discharged.
31.3.1937: Vessel (64/64) mortgage for £1,000 with interest at 5% with H. Markham Cook, Grimsby (C).
1.1938: Sold to A/S Shetland (F. N. Nordbö A/S), Haugesund. Sale effected by mortgagee under mortgage (C).
25.1.1938: Hull registry closed “Sold to foreigners (Norwegian subjects) for trading”. To be renamed SHETLAND but remained at Haugesund laid up still under old name.
14.4.1939: Sold to “Lawica” Rybolowstwo Dalekomorskiie i Zegluga Sp.z.o.o., Gdynia (“Lawica” Deep-Sea Fishing & Shipping Ltd)(Kazimierza Orthweina, Wincenty Bartosiak & others) through Gdynia shipbrokers Rummel & Burton for £2,550.
18.5.1939: Registered at Polish Consulate in Oslo at Gdynia as LAWICA 1(GDY141).
19.5.1939: Polish crew took over ship and sailed for Gdynia.
15.7.1939: Repairs completed. Being ready for sea before the start of the North Sea herring season it was decided to fish the Icelandic grounds and Sk. Stanislaw Ploszko was appointed*. A good landing was made at Gdynia, then employed on North Sea herring.
31.8.1939: Arrived Hull under orders of Polish authorities. Laid over.
9.9.1939: Moved to St. Andrews Dock and painted Admiralty Grey, it was believed that the ship was being prepared for Admiralty service, but later instructions cancelled and ship returned to lay up.
5.10.1939: Bare boat chartered to Hellyer Brothers Ltd, Hull and transferred to British flag. 26.10.1939: Transferred to Fleetwood (Sk. Stanislaw Ploszko).
16.11.1939: After an unsuccessful trip in heavy weather on the West of Scotland grounds in which she sustained severe damage, Hellyer Bros wished to end the charter.
7.12.1939: Repaired and placed on sales list at £8,000.
27.12.1939: After difficult negotiations sold for £7,270 to Hellyer Brothers Ltd, Hull with clause to buy back after war. Placed in registered ownership of Loch Fishing Co of Hull Ltd (64/64), Hull.
12.1939: Requisitioned for war service as auxiliary patrol vessel, based at Fleetwood on shipping control.
4.3.1940: Registered at Hull as WITHERNSEA (H??). Harry Wright appointed manager.
8.4.1940: Sold to The Admiralty (Minute S.F.4974/40) aware of terms of previous sale contract.
4.6.1940: Ty/Sk. Arthur Garforth RNR appointed CO.
7.1940: Commissioned as a minesweeper (P.No.FY1637).
1942: Based Grimsby with M/S Group 21.
18.8.1945: Ty/Sk. William John Henry Smith RNR appointed CO.
11.1945: Paid off. Laid up at Methil.
3.1946: Returned to Hellyer Brothers Ltd, Hull and under terms of previous sales, sold to “Lawica” Rybolowstwo Dalekomorskiie i Zegluga Sp.z.o.o., London. Registered at Gdynia as LAWICA (GDY83).
9.4.1946: Sailed Methil for Gdynia (Sk. Victor Gorzadek).
18.4.1946: Arrived Gdynia. Renovated and rebuilt by Shipyard No.13 and re entered service (Sk. Victor Gorzadek).
5.7.1946: Company registered in the Polish commercial register after office moved from England back to Poland.
1947: Took part in North Sea herring fishery (Sk. Victor Gorzadek). Out of season attempted to fish Baltic grounds but still heavily mined. Engaged in chilled/frozen transport Gdynia – Hull.
16.12.1949: By Order of the Ministry of Navigation the holding company and assets to be placed under control of the Polish People’s Republic. Zbigniew Kollesinskiego appointed manager.
1950: Company and assets transferred to “Dalmor” Przedsiobiorstwo Polowow Dalekomorskich Sp.z.ogr.odp, Gdynia (Polish Government).
10.1950: Fishing English Channel and Sandettie ground for herring (Sk. Wladyslaw Dettlaff), had record landing.
4.1957: Withdrawn and laid up.
12.1957: Towed to Gdynia Shipyard Repair for breaking up.
1958: Gdynia registry closed broken up.

Note*: LAWICA I was the first Polish deep sea trawler to fish the Icelandic grounds with only a Polish crew.

Click to enlarge images

Wladyslaw Dettlaff

Lawica GDY 83

Lawica GDY 83

Lawica GDY 83

Withernsea H253

Withernsea H253

The Life of a Deep Sea Trawlerman
By James Greene

Rough Seas © James Greene

I must admit that I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it is an excellent narrative, well written and easy to read. It is packed full with pictures, experiences, brushes with death, vessels, characters and anecdotes (including one about the man for who this website was originally written).

On the other hand it takes me back to a time when life was tougher, money was harder to come by but times seemed better and the seaports and fishing towns of this country were thriving and bonded communities.
It was a time before Ted Heath betrayed the fishermen of the UK by giving their livelihoods away to the EEC as the price of Britain’s membership.

Every port had its ships and its characters and many are remembered in this book. The men and their ships are all gone now together with the jobs that sustained them, and we will never see their like again. This book reminds me of the days when I used to stand on North End and watch the battered and rust streaked trawlers sail up and down the Wyre.

In all, it’s a damn good, nostalgic read and, at £12.99, well worth buying.

ISBN 987-0-7524-6453-4
Available from Amazon

Technical

Official Number: 136606
Yard Number: 414
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 100
Net Tonnage: 46
Length: 86.3 ft
Breadth: 18.7 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Elliott & Garrood Ltd, Beccles

History

4.1915: Completed by John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.414) for Digby, Hunt & Shreeve Ltd, London as D.H.S.
8.4.1915: Registered at Lowestoft (LT469) (Edward T. Hunt, Lowestoft, manager).
10.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr HA) (Ad.No.1923). Based in Mediterranean, latterly at Taranto.
1919: Returned to owner (Digby, Hunt & Shreeve, Ipswich).
26.2.1926: Sold to Alexander Watt, James Watt & James Watt Jnr, Crovie, Banffshire; Robert W. Watt & James Watt, Fraserburgh; Mrs Margaret Watt, Sandhaven; James L. A. Minty, Wick (John Watt, Sandhaven, manager).
8.3.1926: Lowestoft registry closed.
6.4.1926: Registered at Fraserburgh as DEWY ROSE (FR187).
By 1934: Owner Mrs Margaret Watt, Sandhaven & Others (George Watt, Gardenstown, managing owner).
1936-39: Seasonal white fish lining from Fleetwood (Alex Keay, managing agent).
By 1938: Owner John & Alexander Watt, Sandhaven (John Watt, managing owner).
1940: Richard Irvin & Sons Ltd appointed managers.
2.4.1940: Requisitioned for war service on balloon barrage (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
27.6.1944: Declared a Total loss. Fraserburgh registry closed.
1946: Sold to Norway.
1949: Converted to motor.
1949: Remeasured 107g 32n.
1949: Sold to Johan Melbo, Ålesund, Norway. Registered at Ålesund as Vardehorn.
1956: Sold to Jon Kvalsvik, Ålesund. Registered at Ålesund as Myrnes.
1956: Re-engined with 2 stroke 4-cyl oil engine by Alpha-Diesel A/S, Frederikshavn (engine made 1951).
14.9.59: Foundered 90 miles off Dalatangi, Iceland all crew nine lost.

Technical

Official Number: 70165
Completed: 1874
Gross Tonnage: 34
Rig: Cutter
Built: Plymouth

History

1874: Completed by ??. Plymouth for The Preston & Fleetwood Fishing Co Ltd, Preston as PIONEER.
1874: Registered at Fleetwood (FD??).
1877: Sold to Henry C. Burbridge, New Docks, Galway, Co. Galway.
1882: Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Galway (G??).
1906: Sold for breaking up. Galway registry closed.

Technical

Official Number: 162956
Yard Number: 245
Completed: 1931
Gross Tonnage: 120
Net Tonnage: 53
Length: 94.3 ft
Breadth: 28.7 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by S. Richards & Co Ltd, Lowestoft
Built: S. Richards & Co Ltd, Lowestoft

History

Note: Last steam drifter built in England

1931: Launched by S. Richards & Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Yd.No.245) for P. W. Watson & Sons Ltd, Lowestoft as MERBREEZE.
9.1931: Completed (Allan Howard Watson, manager).
24.9.1931: Registered at Lowestoft (LT253).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood (William Head, Lowestoft, managing agent).
21.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY.953) (Hire rate £69.3.6d/month).
6.1940: Based Swansea (Ty/Sk. W. G. A. Thompson RNR).
1.1942: Based Londonderry (Ty/Lieut. H. Wright RNVR).
11.6.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T. Re deployed as a minesweeping drifter.
10.1944: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1946: Sold to P. W. Watson & Sons Ltd, Lowestoft (Allan H. Watson, manager). Registered at Lowestoft (LT365).
1956: Sold to The Breeze Co (Lowestoft) Ltd, Lowestoft (Allan H. Watson, Beccles, manager).
1959: Sold to Merbreeze Ltd, Lowestoft.
1959: Converted to motor by Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft and fitted with 6-cyl 4 stroke oil engine by Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln.
1959: Re measured 122g 42n.
!976: Sold for breaking up.
1976: Lowestoft registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Merbreeze LT365
Picture courtesy of Robert Durrant © John Wells

M.T. Merbreeze LT365

Additional material courtesy of Roy Breech and Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 139996
Yard Number: 73
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 100
Net Tonnage: 42
Length: 89.9 ft
Breadth: 20.0 ft
Depth: 10.0
Engine: T.3-cyl by F. W. Carver & Co, Gt. Yarmouth
Boiler: Riley Bros (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton-on-tees

History

1918: Ordered by The Admiralty from Colby Brothers Ltd, Oulton Broad (“Admiralty drifter”) as “WINDHOWL”.
17.12.1918: Order cancelled.
1919: Launched (Yd.No.73) for East Anglian Red Star Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Norwich as “HARNSER”.
3.12.1919: Registered at Lowestoft (LT627). John Victor Breech, Lowestoft, manager.
23.12.1919: Struck Lowestoft Pier causing damage.
24.4.1926: Sold to Jack Breech Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (John Victor Breech, manager).
26.1.1928: Anchored off Buncrana, Co. Donegal, dragged and grounded when steam drifter SHEPHERD LAD (LT7) made fast alongside.
21.1.1933: Off Milford Haven rudder damaged.
1.9.1934: Off Peel, IoM in collision and damaged stem.
6.2.1937: At Lowestoft struck Inner Pier damaging stem.
1930s: Seasonal fishing in the Irish Sea and off west coast of Ireland, occasional landings at Fleetwood taking bunkers.
24.6.1938: At Fleetwood landed 300 small boxes of herring grossed £153.
5.1939: Sold to Bröderene Anda, Stavanger (John & Trygve Anda).
24.5.1939: Sailed Lowestoft for Norway.
1.6.1939: Lowestoft registry closed “Sold to Norwegians”.
1940: Registered at Stavanger as “ANKER I” following conversion.
2.1940: Converted to a purse seiner and cargo vessel.
2.1940: Converted to motor and fitted with 2-cyl Wichmann oil engine, (reconditioned by Haldorsen-Sonner, built 1920).
1.3.1940: Sold to Ola Olsen, Jakob & Konrad Jakobsen, Auklandshamn (Ola Olsen, manager). Registered at Haugesund. Employed as a coaster.
11.1940: Sold to Jacob Lindberg, Kjøpsvik. Registered at Bergen as KJØPSVIK. Employed seasonal fishing and as a coaster.
1964: Re-engined with 180bhp Wichmann oil engine.
1973: Sold to A/S Dyrøgutt, Gibostad. Renamed “DYRØGUTT”.
1973: Re-engined with 3-cyl 220bhp Brunvoll oil engin
197?: Sold to Leif Tøllefsen, Svolvaer.
197?: Sold to Arene Larsen, Henningsvaer.
198?: Sold to Harald Nygård, Hasvik. Renamed “HEIMSUND”.
1985: Condemned and deleted from Norwegian register.

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T Harnser LT627
Picture courtesy of Barry Banham

Cochrane Shipbuilders Volume 1: 1884 – 1914

Available now

ISBN 978-1-902953-59-5
Publisher: Bernard McCall,
400 Nore Rd; Portishead,
Bristol BS20 8EZ

A hard backed history of Cochrane with several pages of funnels and house flags and many excellent pictures of vessels built by the company as well as technical details and service histories.

Now available on Amazon.

Only £19.50

Click to enlarge image

Cochrane Shipbuilders

Technical

Official Number: 132178
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 95
Net Tonnage: 40
Length: 89.2 ft
Breadth: 19.2 ft
Depth: 9.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd, Inverness
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow

History

1916: Completed by G. Walker, Nairn (Yd.No.?) for R. Tindall & Sons Ltd, Fraserburgh (R. Tindall & A. M. Cowie, Buckie) as GOLDEN SHEAF.
1916: Registered at Buckie (BCK223).
8.1916: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.2749). Based Falmouth.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Findochty (R. Tindall & Sons, Buckiw).
1924: Buckie registry closed. Registered at Fraserburgh (FR20). Maxwell J. M. Tindall appointed manager.
1928: Owner R. Tindall & Sons Ltd, Fraserburgh (R. Tindall, Charles Summers, John Tait, Charles Summers Jnr, George Walker & James Stephen Melville). Alfred R. Tindall appointed manager.
Late 1930s: Seasonal white fish lining occasional landings at Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent).
1939: Sold to George Walker & Sons (Fraserburgh) Ltd, Fraserburgh & others.
9.2.1940: Requisitioned for war service employed on miscellaneous Naval duties (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
194?: Sold to C. Summers & Co, Fraserburgh.
31.8.1945: Returned to owner.
1949: Sold to Elizabeth Buchan, St. Combs & others.
1950: Sold for breaking up.
10.1951: Fraserburgh registry closed.

Technical

Official Number: 56262
Net Tonnage: 32
Rig: Smack
Built: ?? Hull
Owner: Lawrence Fish, 26 West Street, Fleetwood

History

1867: Completed by ??, Hull for George Anderson, 37 Humber Street, Hull as BETSEY and SARAH. Registered at Hull (H??).
By 1875: Owned by David Foyston, 3 Strickland Street, Hull.
1895: Not recorded in MNL.
1888: Sold to Lawrence Fish, 26 West Street, Fleetwood (managing owner). Hull registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD27).
1889: Sold to Thomas Roskell, 1 Victoria Street, Fleetwood (managing owner)
1889: Sold to William Alexander Currie, Belfast.
1890: Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Belfast as BERTHA.
1911: Belfast registry closed. FATE?

Technical

Official Number: 65225
Net Tonnage: 61
Rig: Ketch – Trawling
Built: ?? Rye
Owner: Mrs Anne Holden, Sunnyside, Ainsdale

History

1871: Completed by ??, Rye as WILLIAM & MARTHA. Registered at Hull (H??).
By 1874: Owned by Peter Bates, Hull.
By 1879: Owned by George Bates, 7 Melbourne Parade, Hessle Road, Hull.
By 1888: Owned by Mrs Anne Holden, Sunnyside, Ainsdale (George Miller, Church Street, Fleetwood, manager). Hull registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD50).
1892: Owned by T. Chamney, ??.
1895: Fleetwood registry closed. FATE?