S.T. Marsona FD21 | The Bosun's Watch

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3715
Official Number: 143827
Yard Number: 306
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 106
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne

History

14.1.1918: Launched by J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields (Yd.No.306) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES CHRISTOPHER (Ad.No.3715).
27.3.1918: Completed (1 – 12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
28.3.1918: Commissioned.
14.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as JAMES CHRISTOPHER O.N.143827.
30.12.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO248).
1920: Sold to Skomer Steam Shipping Co Ltd, Cardiff (Lewis Bull, manager).
31.3.1920: In collision with NILE (M186) while manoeuvring in dock.
16.11.1923: Sold to Brand & Curzon Ltd, Milford Haven (Edward Brand & Charles Curzon, managers).
2.1929: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood Geoffry Edwards Marr, manager).
22.2.1929: London registry closed.
26.2.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD21).
28.5.1929: Renamed MARSONA (FD21).
19.10.1933: Returned to Fleetwood from fishing grounds with badly damaged stem and bow plating reportedly due to striking submerged object.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.714) (Hire rate £82.16.0d/month).
6.1940: Based Invergordon with M/S Group 43 (Ch Sk. A . W. Ellis RNR).
4.8.1940: Off Cromarty tasked to sweep approach channel to Firth. At 0650 off Sutor Buoy, Cromarty Forth, received sweep wire for ‘M’ sweep from GEORGE COUSINS (LO66) (P.No. FY.627) (Ch Sk. E. J. Marshall RNR) and steaming ahead started to deploy magnets. At 0724 1/2 mile SSE of Whistle Buoy detonated a mine underneath and a second in the sweep; blew up. HM Drifter INDUSTRY (PD378) (P.No.FY.938 (Sub Lieut E. A. F. Weller RNR) proceeded to scene but found no survivors; five bodies recovered*, seven crew members MPK**.
14.12.1945: Fleetwood registry closed.

(James (aka John) Christopher, AB, age 24, b. Waterford, Co. Waterford – VICTORY (SB898))

*Killed: Ch Sk. Alfred W. Ellis; Arthur Lewis, A/Ldg Seaman; William J. Dean & Thomas Dell, seamen; Thomas L. Thompson, O/S.
**MPK – Sub Lieut. Ian S. L. Trehearne; William Mair, 2nd Hand; Frederick Malliband, Ch. Engineman; Thomas B. Cordiner, Engineman; John F. Ritchie, seaman; Bernard Sharpin, seaman/steward; Ernest M. Newby, stoker.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Marsona FD21
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
18/09/2014: Added second picture.
31/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
13/02/2021: Updated history and technical details.