Technical

Official Number: 141959
Yard Number: 579
Completed: 1920
Gross Tonnage: 257
Net Tonnage: 100
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

17.8.1920: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.579) for The New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, Fleetwood as GAVA.
12.10.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (Part I & Part IV) O.N.141959 (FD380).
10.1920: Completed. Joseph A. Taylor designated manager.
1924: William W. Brierley designated manager.
16.7.1932: Laid up for 36 hours NE by W of St. Kilda with leaking boiler tubes and water in the stokehold. Steam trawler SEA SWEEPER (FD171) in radio contact. Effected temporary repair and returned to Fleetwood.
20.10.1935: In a strong westerly breeze and moderate sea, returning from fishing grounds, struck submerged rock when entering Castlebay, Barra and came fast. With falling tide took a heavy list and in danger of falling over. At 11.30 pm following signals of distress the Barra lifeboat LLOYDS was launched and laid out an anchor. At high water, using anchor and engine came afloat, berthed Castlebay, not making any water.
17.2.1939: Sold the The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
27.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service and designated for boom defence duties.
30.11.1939: Returned to owner.
Pre 4.1940: Employed on Fishery Protection (WA/Fort William/Fleetwood) (1-12pdr, 4 Lewis guns).
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
27.5.1940: Requisitioned for war service (Hire rate £83.10.6d/month). Fleetwood Flotilla sailed North End, Fleetwood for English Channel as Leader (Ty/Sk. F. Day RNR. Senior Officer Fleetwood Flotilla, P/Ty/Lieut. Francis Joseph Jordan RNR), in company with DHOON (FD438), EDWINA (FD205)(Ty/Sk. Percy Bedford RNR), EVELYN ROSE (GY9) (Ty/Sk. Arthur John Lewis RNR), JACINTA (FD235) (Ty/Sk. Jim Bettess RNR – mate) and VELIA (FD49) (Ty/Sk. John Clarkson RNR).
30.5.1940: Arrived Dover.
31.5.1940: At 0730 sailed for Ramsgate, entering harbour at 0910. At 2030 moved to anchor outside.
1.6.1940: At 0725 sailed Ramsgate for Dunkirk. Attacked by enemy aircraft all the way; returned fire. Arrived Dunkirk at 1123 berthed alongside “train ferry”, embarked French troops. At 1224 left berth and with Fleetwood Flotilla, cleared harbour at 1230 bound Ramsgate. Shell hit port bow but did not explode, slight damage. At 1305 stopped ship, crewmen, A. Dunne, H. Gawne and J. Jones, entered the water to assist in the rescue of three wounded French sailors *. At 1400 concentrated enemy air attack. Aircraft returned at 1430 and cannoned ship; picked up 137 survivors from French destroyer FOUDROYANT (P.No.96) (Capitaine De Fregate Paul Louis Antoine Fontaine), crew assisted wounded aboard. At 1530 Belgian vessel signalled for assistance; 1546 ordered VELIA to take Belgian in tow. At 1855 came to anchor in Ramsgate Roads, launches ferried wounded ashore, followed by troops, all ashore by 2100. Total landed 365. Two hours shore leave in Ramsgate. Ordered to Harwich. Weekend leave and on return crew signed a three month contract under T.124 articles as civilians employed to serve alongside the Royal Navy in Naval uniform as members of Naval Auxiliary Personnel subject to Naval discipline. Commenced 3 day patrols (P.No.4.14) in the English Channel as part of ‘invasion’ defence.
2.1942: Fitted out as a minesweeper.
9.1942: Engaged in target towing.
6.1946: Reclassed at Liverpool and returned to owner.
24.8.1946: Re-measured 256g 99n.
22.2.1949: Took WILLIAM MANNELL (LO370) in tow after refloating from stranding at Glengad Head, Co. Donegal. WILLIAM MANNELL sank under tow 21/2 miles E of Dunmore Head off Portaleen, Co. Donegal; crew saved.
1.11.1950: Sold to Stroud’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
29.3.1951: Fleetwood registry closed.
30.3.1951: Registered at Aberdeen (A676). George D. W. Stroud designated manager.
1954: Horace E. Stroud designated manager.
11.4.1955: In a moderate sea and moderate SW breeze and flood tide, at 10.30pm went ashore on Clettack Skerry, south eastern side of Pentland Skerries. Nine crew left in boat which capsized, picked up by motor fishing vessel ENTERPRISE (WK229). At 10.50. Longhope lifeboat THOMAS McCUNN launched and found the trawler with the ENTERPRISE still standing by. Went alongside the trawler and took off four crew, connected and when she came afloat, proceeded to Longhope.
12.4.1955: At 5.10am. arrived Longhope and then Lyness.
1959: Sold to B. J. Nijkerk S.A., Antwerp for breaking up.
31.12.1959: Delivered Boom.
18.3.1960: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel sold to foreigners (Belgian subjects).”

* Following the rescue of the three French sailors W/O A Dunne, Deckhands H. Gawne and J Jones were awarded the BEM.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Gava FD380
Picture courtesy of The Brian Reader Collection

S.T. Gava FD380 in Tobermory Bay
Picture courtesy of The Brian Reader Collection

S.T. Gava FD380
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Gava FD380
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
02/06/2016: Minor information update.
09/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
28/10/2019: Updated information.
11/06/2020: Updated information.
23/08/2021: Added an image.