Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and David Slinger
Technical
Official Number: 131935
Completed: 1911
Gross Tonnage: 41
Net Tonnage: 29
Length: 64.7 ft
Breadth: 16.2 ft
Depth: 7.9 ft
Rig: Ketch/Aux-trawling
Built: Sanders & Co, Galmpton, Devon
History
1911: Completed by Sanders & Co, Galmpton for Charles Bond, 16 Prospect Road, Brixham as FERN LEAF.
25.10.1911: Registered at Brixham (BM317).
5.12.1912: Reported hull damage following collision with other Brixham smacks.
5.5.1919: Sold to Charles C. Bond, Church Street, Brixham.
28.8.1919: At Brixham took part in race for Brixham registered ketch rigged trawlers over 40grt. In very light winds, with MISTLETOE (BM250) (Sk. E. R. King), VIOLET (BM228) (Sk.T. Lovell) and SUNNY ISLE (BM318) (Capt Jones) participated. After a collision at the start between SUNNY ISLE and VIOLET, made good of her advantage and got away from her rivals finishing the winner (First Prize £15, Special for owner, £10 and three gallons of anti fouling paint).
23.7.1920: In the early morning off the Lizard (Sk. E. Maddick), in rough weather with a heavy sea running, the main mast fell over the starboard side, fortunately without injuring any of the crew. The top portion of the stem was damaged and the main gaff, mainsail, fore sail and rigging had to be cut away.
24.7.1920: Sk. Maddick, with great skill, navigated the smack back to Brixham without the need of a tow. The smack is insured by the Brixham Fishing Smack Insurance Society.
20.8.1920: Brixham Royal Regatta, The Perpetual Challenge Cup, “Vancouver Trophy” and added prizes for Brixham registered ketch rigged trawlers over 40grt. Participated along with LOVE AND UNITY (BM263) (Sk. W. Dart), PREVALENT (BM337) (Sk. J. H. Blackhurst) and SEAPLANE (BM83) (Sk. R. C. Elliot). The winner was PREVALANT by about eight and a half minutes and in an exciting finish FERN LEAF took second place from SEAPLANE by seven seconds.
192?: Remeasured 24n.
1922: Sold to George Henry Cole, 10 Trafalgar Terrace, Brixham.
25.4.1925: Sold to Charles M. Ashford, Brixham.
30.8.1925: Sold to John Edmund Rowse Jnr (64/64), Milford Haven.
26.3.1927: At Newlyn, alongside an East Coast drifter (Sk. Richard Penny). In the afternoon, a Penzance youth by the name of Dunn, in crossing the boats, fell between the two. On hearing the splash, Sk. Penny, who was onboard at the time, went to his assistance. Being unable to reach the lad, he jumped into the water and took hold of him. The boats were ranging against each other and those men that had gathered, with great difficulty, kept them apart. Penny was able to pass the lad to those on deck and he was hauled onboard. Penny, a large man, made for a difficult task, but he was safely hauled out of the water.
21.8.1921: At the Brixham Regatta, ketch rigged trawler REPLETE (BM27) (Sk J. R. Bond) under full sail, came between the Committee boat and the FERN LEAF and collided with a launch owned by Mr S, Ellis, Brixham, which was chartered to carry the British Movietone News camera crew. The launch which had been attempting to come alongside the Committee boat was badly damaged, but the camera equipment (£2,000) was saved and the damaged launch towed into Brixham.
26.8.1932: Reported finished fifth (Sk. J. Rowsell) in the annual Brixham Regatta.
22.1.1934: Sold to Ralph Stockman Dugdall (64/64), The Quay, Brixham.
25.8.1934: Reported finished fourth in the annual Brixham Regatta.
4.7. 1935: Reported finished third in the annual Brixham Regatta.
24.8.1936: Reported finished third in the annual Brixham Regatta.
1938: Remeasured 13n.
1938: Fitted with 8nhp oil engine, re-classed as auxiliary fishing vessel.
1938: Brixham registry closed. Reregistered as an auxiliary fishing vessel by Ralph S. Dugdall, 57 Esplanade, Fleetwood.
9.2.1941: Requisitioned for war service and employed on miscellaneous naval duties (Hire rate £20.0.0d/month).
1942: Brixham registry closed “no longer fishing”.
1943: Based Clyde as TRV attached to Alexandria Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire.
1946: Returned to owner.
1947: Sold to William Newton (64/64),
113 Abercrombie Road, Fleetwood.
6.6.1947: Reported that a company, the Fern Leaf Co Ltd, had been formed at Fleetwood with a capital of £5,000, to acquire the business of fishing vessel owner William Newton. The directors are William Newton and Arthur Smith with the registered office 134-136 Dock Street, Fleetwood.
1947: Sold for breaking up.
Click to enlarge image
Fern Leaf BM317
Picture from the Internet
Changelog
05/04/2010: Page published.
10/11/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
20/09/2022: Updated history.