S.T. Strathblair A132 | The Bosun's Watch

Technical

Official Number: 162273
Yard Number: 714
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 216
Net Tonnage: 94
Length: 117.7 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

21.8.1930: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.714) for Aberdeen Steam Trawling & Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen as STRATHBLAIR.
17.9.1930: Registered at Aberdeen (A132).
9.1930: Completed. George Massie designated manager.
1938: W. Rhind designated manager.
8.3.1941: Off East Coast of Scotland. Attacked by Heinkel bomber which circled and before crew could man the guns made a low level approach to strafe the ship. The angle was wrong and the aircraft collided with the top of the mizzen mast tearing off the wing and crashing into the sea. In so doing two bombs were released which landed on deck but did not explode. On return to harbour bombs rendered safe and removed by RN Bomb & Mine Disposal Team.
29.12.1942: Sold to Bloomfields Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth. Bloomfield’s Ltd, Fleetwood designated managers. Out of Fleetwood fished Home and Faroes grounds (Sk. Edward W. ‘Laddy’ Bush, Gt. Yarmouth 1943-45).
27.4.1943: Typical wartime landing.
199 kits – hake-117, cod/codling-17, haddock-4, flats-9, ling/coley-45, roker-2, dogs-5.
1946: Transferred to Gt. Yarmouth.
17.4.1947: Sold to Elizabeth Anne Davidson, Aberdeen.
28.6.1950: Sold to Colonial Development Corporation, London.
11.1950: Taken in hand by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd and fitted with refrigeration plant, fish room modified with metal boxes on railed shelving, crew accommodation air conditioned and other improvements.
17.1.1951: Completed successful trials in Aberdeen Bay.
24.1.1951: Sailed Aberdeen for Lagos (Sk. Tom Normandale, Scarborough) in company with STRATHALBYN (A48) (Sk. Alex Flett).
2.2.1951: Noted. Forecastle added. Alteration to tonnage and other particulars. Certificate of Survey at Aberdeen dated 17.1.1951.
13.10.1954: Sold to Nigerian Shipping & Trading Co Ltd, Lagos. Frederick A. J. Simpson designated manager.
1978: Sold for breaking up.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Strathblair A132 Leaving Aberdeen for Lagos
Picture courtesy of The George Coull Collection

S.T. Strathblair A132
Picture courtesy of the Imperial War Museum Collection

Changelog
17/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
08/04/2015: Added 4 pictures.
16/04/2015: Removed 4 incorrect pictures.
31/05/2015: Updated information.
05/08/2017: Restored pictures and updated text.
06/08/2021: Updated history.