Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow
Technical

Official Number: 139214
Yard Number: 658
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 235.71
Net Tonnage: 90.32
Length: 117.4 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 13.1 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 430ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Hebburn-on-Tyne

History

23.12.1916: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.658) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood as LEAM.
20.1.1917: Registered at Fleetwood (FD290) (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
1.1917: Completed. Requisitioned from builders for war service and fitted out as an auxiliary patrol vessel (Ad.No.2995). Based Lowestoft.
Post 12.31919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1934: Sold to Shields Engineering & Dry Dock Co Ltd (64/64), North Shields (Thomas S. Read, manager).
2.2.1934: Fleetwood registry closed.
24.2.1934: Registered at North Shields (SN11).
6.7.1935: Registered at North Shields as BELLDOCK (SN11).
25.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service appointed for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £60.16.8d/month).
31.1.1940: Returned to owner.
12.1940: Sold to The Crampin Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
27.12.1940: North Shields registry closed.
2.1.1941: Registered at Grimsby (GY367).
2.1.1941: Herbert George Crampin appointed manager.
22.5.1953: Herbert Walter Crampin appointed manager.
12.11.1953: Sailed Grimsby for the Shetland grounds (Sk. John R. Dobson); twelve crew.
14.11.1953: Commenced fishing some 5 miles E of Lamba Ness.
16.11.1953: In the afternoon the weather worsened and a SSW gale forced Sk. Dobson to haul the gear and seek shelter in Harolds Wick Bay. The conditions there were not ideal and the ship proceeded further southwards and entered Balta Sound by the south entrance. When approaching Swarta Skerry the skipper took the wheel and despite protests from the 3rd hand, the wheel was put hard a port and shortly afterwards she stranded. Arguments ensued on the bridge and with the engines worked she refloated only to take the ground again at the other side of the channel as the engine was still running astern and no one at the wheel. The boat was launched and although leaking two crewmen managed to leave the ship. The MFV Village Maid (LK3) was in Baltasound and alerted by radio, picked up the two men and then took off the rest of the crew.
17.11.1953: With the assistance of the Village Maid and the kedge, the vessel was refloated and moved into the harbour. Declared a CTL and wreck sold to J. & S. Cameron, Peterhead. Towed to Peterhead. 12.1953: After stripping of non-ferrous metals sold to BISCO and allocated to Malcolm Brechin, Granton for breaking up.
1.1954: Arrived Granton from Peterhead in tow of GEORGE SCOTT (SN270), also for breaking up.
11/12.3.1954: At MoT Formal Inquiry (No.S.424) in Grimsby, the Court found “… that the cause of the strandings of the “BELLDOCK” and her constructive total loss was the very unseamanlike navigation of her due to the fact that her skipper, John Robert Dobson, whilst the “BELLDOCK” was in Balta Sound, was intoxicated, and that this state of affairs was contributed to by the mate, Arthur Leonard Dobson, in that he aided and abetted the skipper in joining with him in drinking to excess.
The Court cannot too strongly condemn the keeping of intoxicants on the bridge of any vessel at any time or the partaking of it in excess, and particularly by officers whilst on or about to start on a fishing voyage. It is to be remembered that the privilege of carrying bonded stores is limited to their intended consumption only when North of Latitude 61 degrees North, and the Court would further emphasize that selfish indulgence in intoxicating liquor, imperilling ships and crews, is contrary to the high standard of discipline set for, and it is hoped will ever be maintained by, that fine body of men the British trawler skippers and crews.” Sk. Dobson’s ticket was suspended for two years and that of his brother, the mate, Arthur L. Dobson for six months and £50 costs.
13.10,1954: Grimsby registry closed. “Vessel broken up.”

Changelog
25/12/2008: Page published. 2 updates since then.
28/09/2015: Information updated.
08/04/2016: Information updated.