Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 139218
Yard Number: 174
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 249
Net Tonnage: 96
Length: 123.2 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Built by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Engine: 82nhp T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow

History

1916: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.174) for The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as URKA.
2.3.1917: Registered at Fleetwood (FD289).
2.1917: Completed. Joseph A. Taylor & Ernest Tomlinson designated managers.
3.1917: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.3328). Northern Patrol.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1924: William W. Brierley designated manager.
5.1940: On the fishing grounds gutting, cap tally HMS SHARPSHOOTER (P.No.J68) found in a skate.
11.5.1943: Typical wartime landing, home waters. 660 kits – hake-550, flats-10, ling/coley-100.
30.5.1946: Homeward from fishing grounds in fog and rain (Sk. Herbert Bagley). In the morning off Mull of Galloway at full speed, struck a rock setting up her forefoot, buckling stem bar and shell plating to starboard and springing several rivets; making a considerable amount of water in the forepeak. Pumps in action and crew baling with buckets to assist. Eight hours later arrived Fleetwood, additional pumps deployed and tug on standby.
31.5.1946: Cleared of water landed 706 boxes and slipped for repairs.
11.6.1947: On Icelandic grounds off east coast (Sk. Harold Brunton) fishing alongside LOCH HOPE (H220) which on hauling brought alongside mine which exploded killing one man and injuring others. Closed and took onboard seventeen survivors (including eight injured) and landed at Seydisfjordur. Three injured too poorly to be moved, remaining five flown to hospital in Reykjavik. Thirteen crew returned to Hull in the trawler JUPITER.
2.1951: Entering Stornoway (Sk. Fred Day) had steering gear failure and in collision at the mouth of Ghlumaig Bay with loaded coal hulk PORTUGAL (1294grt/1899) which foundered in position bearing 318°, 0.575 miles from Arnish Point Light. Suffered damage to forefoot and adjacent shell plates. Repaired at Fleetwood.
1953: M. A. Munby designated manager.
17.7.1956: Sold to Alvis Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. William Newton designated manager.
27.6.1960: Last landing at Fleetwood, 13 days £946 gross. Gross for year £15,739.
7.1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking at Barrow.
9.8.1960: Sailed Fleetwood for Barrow-in-Furness under own power .
10.8.1960: Delivered. Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture © Mike Helm

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
26/11/2020: Updated history and added an image.
27/11/2020: Further update to history.
24/09/2022: Added an image.