S.T. Sarba FD177 | The Bosun's Watch

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 132417
Yard Number: 387
Completed: 1913
Gross Tonnage: 314.58
Net Tonnage: 128.58
Length: 130.0 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 13.4 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by J. Abernethy & Co, Aberdeen

History

8.5.1913: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd. No.387) for the The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as SARBA.
16.6.1913: Registered at Fleetwood (FD177).
6.1913: Completed. Joseph A. Taylor & Ernest Tomlinson joint managers.
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer & Hydrophone) (Ad.No.928).
1915: Based Queenstown – patrol & escort duties.
7.5.1915: Passenger liner LUSITANIA (30,396grt/1907) on passage New York – Liverpool with 1,959 passengers. At about 2.00 pm. when 15 miles off Old Head of Kinsale torpedoed by U.boat (U21); sank in 18 minutes in position 51.24N 08.31W. Left Queenstown and arrived on scene just after 3.00 pm. picked up survivors and assisted others in boats. Landed at Queenstown.
4.1.1918: At 8.40 am. off Daunt Light Vessel observed U-boat periscope. Attacked and dropped two depth charges, later a demolition charge dropped on position, with resultant oil and debris release. Kill claimed in position 71/2 miles S (mag) from Daunt Light Vessel in position 51.35N 8.12W. The Admiralty subsequently concurred and a bounty of £500 was paid to crew. *
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1924: William W. Brierley, designated manager.
19.9.1927: Received wireless message from steam trawler NORINA (FD150) requesting assistance, in fog and drizzle she had stranded on the Isle of Jura, about one hours steaming from the Rubha a Mhail (Rhuvaal) light whilst making for Islay Sound.
20.9.1927: At about 3.15am arrived on the scene and at daybreak she was joined by VELIA (FD49). Both trawlers connected but were unsuccessful in refloating.
21.9.1927: In the morning the Glasgow tug FLYING SPRAY (217grt/1917 – 823ihp) (Mr Roger Owen) arrived, connected and after three quarters of an hour succeeded in refloating NORINA.
30.1.1930: Arrived Fleetwood and reported loss of cook, Fred Semark (62), who was missed on 28.1 whilst fishing the Rockall grounds; not determined whether he fell into the sea or was washed overboard.
24.2.1930: On St. Kilda grounds lost propeller. At about 6.00am. in response to a radio message, steam trawler ELLENA (FD394), some 22 miles away, hauled and proceeded to casualty. Owning to darkness, heavy seas and dense fog it took five hours to close and connecting was difficult in the weather conditions.
25.2.1930: Wires parted and only by strenuous efforts over four hours was the tow reconnected and the passage resumed.
26.2.1930: The fog remained a hazard and off Maughold Head, IoM, narrowly escaped being set on the rocks.
27.2.1930: Delivered Fleetwood after a 375 mile tow which had taken 64 hours to complete.
21.2.1931: Arrived Fleetwood three days overdue and reported the loss of lifeboat washed away in very heavy weather on the West of Scotland grounds and having landed two injured men at Oban for hospital treatment.
18.7.1935: Arrived Castlebay, Barra having steamed some 200 miles from the fishing grounds with injured apprentice deck hand, Alexander Kennedy who had his hand severely crushed when shooting the trawl in heavy seas. Landed for medical attention and later one of his fingers was amputated; sailed immediately for fishing grounds.
19.10.1935: Inbound stranded in Wyre Channel, Barrow lifeboat launched to assist but came afloat under own power and proceeded into Wyre Dock. Landed 292 kits – 230 boxes, 30 baskets £465 gross.
22.8.1936: Arrived Fleetwood and reported that while fishing off the Irish coast, deckhand, Harry Smith (19), Coniston Avenue, Fleetwood, was struck by the fishing gear and badly injured. He was carried below and the crew took it in turns to massage his legs. He later returned on deck but within minutes was washed overboard. He managed to cling to the trawl and as the ship gave a heavy roll the crew caught him and scrambled him back onboard.
7.12.1936: Arrived Oban after steaming 100 hours from the Rockall grounds in very heavy weather to land the Ch Eng., William Nash who was scalded when boiling water overflowed from a tank in the engine room in some of the worst seas experienced off the West coast. The Ch Eng. was admitted to the West Highland Cottage Hospital. Other members of the crew were also involved and one was scalded on the arm. Having been on the grounds for eleven days, catch was landed and sailed later to resume fishing.
15.11.1938: At Fleetwood Magistrates Court, Fleetwood deck hands, John Brunt (24), Seabank Road, William John Edwards (24) Heathfield Road and Robert George Rees (20), Cambridge Road were stated to have refused to join the ship on Saturday 12 Nov. It was alleged that having arrived at the ship they announced that they would not sail until the following day. All three were fined for being disobedient seamen, Brunt and Edwards had been before the Court previously for a similar offence and were each fined 40/-, while Reeve was fined 20/-. They were ordered to share the advocates fee of £1.11.6d.
6.12.1938: Arrived Fleetwood from the Irish coast grounds (Sk. F. Day), and reported that young deckhand, Harry Mimms, Darbishire Road, Fleetwood had been injured while assisting in fishing operations when he was struck by the warp as the ship moved in the seaway. He was injured about the face so fishing was suspended and made for Londonderry where he was landed and taken to hospital for treatment.
11.2.1939: Homeward from the fishing grounds in a severe westerly gale (Sk. F. Day), when off Dubh Attach Light, sighted distress signals from the steam trawler YARMOUTH (FD334), disabled with broken propeller shaft. In very rough weather connected using YARMOUTH’s chain cable and set course for home. On passage the chain cable parted twice, before the heavier cable from SARBA was transferred and secured.
13.2.1939: Yarmouth delivered Fleetwood.
06.1939: While on the West Scottish fishing grounds, the skipper and crew sent a wireless message of welcome to the King and Queen on their return from Canada. The message was sent through Malin Head radio station and was addressed to “Their Majesties the King and Queen, s.s. EMPRESS OF BRITAIN. Southampton.“ It was marked ”To be delivered on arrival of vessel.’ Actually it was conveyed to their Majesties in a Post Office greetings form. The message said: “ Welcome home.— From the skipper and crew of the Fleetwood trawler SARBA “. Only 12 hours elapsed before the fishermen received a wireless reply from Buckingham Palace. Signed by “Alexander Harding,” the message ran: “I am desired by the King and Queen to thank you and the crew of the Fleetwood trawler SARBA for the kind terms of your message which their Majesties greatly appreciate ‘.
11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No.Z.139) (Hire rate £81.7.6d/month). Cost of conversion £12,852.
23.11.1943. Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
17.1.1944: Fleetwood registry closed.
1944: Based on Thames (Townsend Bros Ltd, London, agents).
1946: Remeasured 293.81g 121.68n.
27.10.1946: Sold to John Horne, Port Seton. Re-conditioned at an estimated cost of £7,500.
1.1947: Registered at Leith as FORTH VIEW (LH227). John Horne designated managing owner.
1952: Sold to Heather Fishing Co Ltd, Newhaven, Edinburgh. Registered at Leith as HEATHER ISLAND (LH227). Thomas H. Scales designated manager.
1952: Leith registry closed. 1952: Registered at Granton (GN61).
6.1953: Sold to Alexander Hay, Aberdeen.
6.1953: Granton registry closed.
4.6.1953: Registered at Aberdeen (A720). Alexander Hay designated managing owner.
22.8.1953: Registered at Aberdeen as Dreadnaught (A720) (MoT Minute R.G. No.1929/53 dated 21.8.1953).
15.5.1955: Sold to Alexander Hay, George Dow Taylor & Sk. John George Morrice Taylor, Aberdeen.
1956: Sold to BISCO (£4900) and allocated to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd, Charlestown, Fife for breaking up (Contract No.6E).
8.8.1956: Delivered Charlestown from Aberdeen under own power.
8.1956: Breaking up commenced.
11.10.1956: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up.”

(* 2.2010: Research by Peter Bell and Michael Lowery has confirmed that U-boat was (U110) but escaped with no damage reported. Oil and material at given position must have been from a previous wreck).

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Sarba FD177
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
11/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
22/11/2017: Major information update.
28/02/2020: Information updated.