Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson and Gary Hicks Plymouth Merchant Ships

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3512
Official Number: 144425
Yard Number: 671
Completed:3 1917
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 106
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

7.12.1916: Laid down by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.671) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty. 23.3.1917: Launched as WILLIAM MANNELL (Ad.No.3512).
2.6.1917: Completed as an escort trawler (1-12pdr and W/T).
11.5.1920: Sold by auction at London (Baltic Exchange) to John Walters, Milford Haven (John H. Bishop, manager).
11.6.1920: Registered at London (LO370).
26.7.1923: Sold to John H. Bishop, Milford Haven (managing owner).
16.1.1931: Laid up at Milford.
5.10.1934: Sold to Yolland & Llewellin, Milford Haven (Charles Llewellin, manager).
1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager)
10.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No.FY.1665) (Hire rate £80.10.0d/month).
1945: Sold to Yolland & Llewellin, Milford Haven (John Yolland, manager).
19.11.1945: Returned.
1.1.1946: Messrs Yolland & Llewellin partnership dissolved. Transferred to Yolland Bros, Milford Haven (John Yolland, manager).
13.9.1948: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £12,500.
9.2.1949: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Reuben J. Melhuish); twelve crew.
21.2.1949: On Dhuheartach grounds, gale warning received and proceeded to anchor in small bay S of Glengad Head, Co. Donegal in company with GAVA (FD380).
22.2.1949: At 4.00 a.m. decided to leave anchorage. On weighing, wind WSW to WNW but suddenly visibility reduced in a squall. Rudder jambed and struck rocks at Glengad Head. At approx 4.30 a.m. vessel abandoned by boat to the GAVA. At approx 6.30 a.m. Skipper and Chief Engineer returned briefly in shore boat. At approx 12.15 p.m. refloated and with Gava standing by, Skipper and two deck hands returned to secure warps from GAVA. At approx 1.00 p.m. underway for Culdaff Bay with intention of beaching. At approx 2.15 p.m. vessel started to settle and crew taken off. Tow continued but at 3.00 p.m. vessel sank by the head in 14 fathoms 21/2 miles E of Dunmore Head, off Portaleen, Co. Donegal; all crew saved.
25.8.1949: At BOT Formal Investigation (No.S.413), Sk. Melhuish was found to have lacked seamanlike care in proceeding from the anchorage and made no attempt to maintain steam and operate the pumps after stranding. His ticket was suspended for six months.

William Mannell (aka William Lambert), Quartermaster’s mate, age 33, b. Aldeborough, Suffolk – VICTORY (SB530))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. William Mannell LO370
Picture Courtesy of John McLaughlin

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
04/09/2015: Information updated.
17/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.