Yearly Archives: 2009

s.v. Champion FD67

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 20855
Completed: 1858
Net Registered Tonnage: 20
Rig: Smack
Built: William & Richard Ashburner, Barrow

History

1858: Completed by William & Richard Ashburner, Barrow as CHAMPION.
1.9.1859: Registered at Fleetwood (FD67).
By 1863: Sold to Peter Leadbetter, Fleetwood.
Prior to 10.8.1863: In the river across from Fleetwood, boarded by Thomas Cumpsey officer of Her Majesty’s Revenues and found 13 hampers of oysters on deck and a further 14 in the hold.
10.8.1863: At Blackpool Petty Sessions, Peter Leadbetter, owner, fined 8s and costs. At the same session, seven fishermen, Peter Leadbetter (ALICE); James Wilson (BRAZEN NOSE); Richard Wright (ELIZABETH); William Ball (EMMA); Nicholas Leadbetter (MARY ELLEN) and Richard Roskell (NIMBLE), had summonses issued against them for illegally landing and having onboard their vessels quantities of oysters, during a prohibited time of the year. Richard Roskell giving evidence maintained that they could not avoid catching these oysters which damaged their nets, and that they were not the type of oysters forbidden in the Act. After legal argument the cases against William Ball, Peter Leadbetter, Richard Roskell and James Wilson were dismissed with costs; Nicholas Leadbetter and Richard Wright were each fined 8s and costs.
1866: Sold to Nicholas Bibby, Fleetwood.
16.10.1869: On the fishing grounds when a gale sprung up, the sea was not high bit there was a ‘chopping swell.” Had trawl beam broken, but managed to save all the fishing gear.
1871: Sold to Thomas Roskell, Fleetwood.
1878: Sold to John Chamney, Fleetwood.
10.1.1881: Fishing out of Ayr.
26.1.1881: At about 4.30am. in collision with Fleetwood smack HANNA ELIZA (FD8) hitting her right astern, cutting through the counter up to the deck planks, starting some. The Skipper’s young son, thinking that the boat was going to sink shouted out and the cook, Robert McCoy raced on deck, jumped across to the CHAMPION but fell into the water and was drowned. Two other crew members made it on to the CHAMPION. Escorted the HANNA ELIZA to off Ayr harbour, berthing about 1200 noon. It later transpired that the HANNAH ELIZA was not exhibiting any navigation lights, the light had gone out and the man on watch was down below trimming it at the time of the accident.
19.2.1881: Berthed at Ayr. William Bond (20), Kent street Fleetwood, returning to the boat in the dark, overbalanced and fell off the quay into the river. On hearing that a man was in the water the crew ran to the spot and found his cap which they identified as being worn by Bond. The river was grappled and his body pulled out some 100 yards from the place where he fell in.
22.2.1881: Bond was buried at Ayr with an impressive array of masters and crews from all the boats in the harbour.
1882: Sold to William Hudson, Fleetwood.
25.11.1882: In heavy weather, “lying to” on the fishing grounds off the Isle of Man, came across a boy in an open boat, who they picked up. They found that the boy was out of Douglas and had been in the open boat for over twelve hours. When weather eased took the boy into Douglas.
21.2.1884: Making way into Fleetwood when for some unaccountable reason collided with the smack ROBERT & ANN. Badly damaged and leaking run ashore. There a ‘tingle’ was put over the damaged planking and on the evening tide refloated and taken into harbour for repair. The ROBERT & ANN sustained slight damage.
30.9.1886: William Hudson (44), Fish Merchant and Grocer passed away.
8.10.1886: NOTICE TO ALL TRADESMEN. TRADESMEN are hereby FORBIDDEN to supply any of my Fishing Boats with any GOODS without a written order signed by me, or such Person as I think fit to appoint after this date. (Signed) MARGARET HUDSON.
24.12.1886: Registered at Fleetwood to Mrs Margaret Hudson, 49 Warren Street, Fleetwood.
18.3.1891: Leaving Fleetwood for the fishing grounds, Richard “Dicky Darby” Wright, having imbibed a fair amount of spirits decided to jump overboard and swim to the Pier. This he accomplished and then went on a further drinking spree. Towards evening he got noisy and whilst creating a disturbance in Aughton Street he was arrested and placed in the cells overnight.
19.3.1891: Before the Magistrate, Dr. Ramsey he pleaded guilty to being very drunk and was fined 8s 6d and costs or in default seven days. He asked for a week’s grace to pay and this was granted.
22.3.1897: Sold to James Armour, Fleetwood. Stripped and broken up.
1897: Fleetwood registry closed.

Changelog
19/02/2009: Page published.
16/09/2023: Information updated.

s.v. Capella FD191

Technical

Official Number: Part IV Registered
Completed: 1904
Gross Tonnage: 20.35
Net Tonnage: 20.35
Length: 46 ft
Breadth: 13 ft
Depth: 6.1 ft
Rig: Cutter
Converted to auxiliary motor 16.4g 16.4n
Built: Armour Bros, Fleetwood

History

1904: Completed by Armour Bros, Fleetwood for ??, ?? as the yacht CAPELLA.
19.7.1915: Registered at Fleetwood (FD191).
20.5.1919: Fleetwood registry closed. ‘Ceased fishing’.
11.11.1943: Registered at Fleetwood (FD242). Owner George Dallas, “Eastwood” Golden Hill Lane, Leyland.
15.12.1944: Fleetwood registry closed ‘Boat no longer fishing’.
12.1.1945. Registered at Fleetwood (FD242). Owner John Callwood Kettlewell, 98 Larkfield Lane, Southport.
16.6.1947: Sold to Theodore John Beard, 113 Guildford Road, Southport.
22.4.1948: Fleetwood registry closed.
4.1948: Registered at Ramsey (RY33).
By 1953: Not recorded.

Undated: Converted to auxiliary motor 16.4g 16.4n

Changelog
19/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.

The Great Storm of 1953

Story By Ken Dadge courtesy of Jackie Wylie

I had just turned sixteen, and it was my second trip to sea. I was a brassie on the steam trawler Darnett Ness H340., of the Marr Steam Fishing Co. In those days Fleetwood was like a Wild West Town, with the place full of great characters from all over the country, who came to Fleetwood for a life on the trawlers, probably one of the most dangerous jobs you could have.

Anyway, back into my 2nd. Trip to sea. We left dock at the end of January and my mother was waiting at the North End to wave me off, with her was Mrs. Palin, whose husband was a deckhand on our ship, and her son young George, who was a brassie, like me , was aboard the fateful Michael Griffith.

The Michael Griffith left dock ahead of us , and my mother told me later that Mrs. Palin’s son was on the forecastle head looking out to sea , and he never looked back once to se his mother, unfortunately, this was the last time she saw him, poor soul.

We were in the Minch off the Isle of Lewis when the storm hit us, and the Michael Griffith was off the Butt of Lewis. When the storm hit her she went down with all hands, God Bless Them. It was in the afternoon, and the weather was so severe that the deck had to be cleared.

I was in my bunk on the Port side one minute, and I was on my back on the Shipside the next. A great sea had hit us, and sent us heeling right over to port, nearly capsizing us, it happened so fast we could not get to our senses at first.

Then the fo’castle door burst open , flooding it with sea water. Then it was all hands to the coal bunkers to shovel the coal back, as it had all shifted over to the Port side, giving us a 30degree list.

As I looked out of the half doors I could see the lifeboat being swept away upside down, it had been washed overboard when the sea hit us. The sea also bent most of the rails, and smashed the bridge windows.

I then looked down into the engine room, where I could see the Chief Engineer ( Jock Muir ) , covered in oil, as a big drum of oil tipped all over him, I remember the Chief’s party trick was to swallow a live mouse and bring it back up again.

Anyway, we managed to stagger into Stornoway with a serious list to port, and Mr. Palin was flown home to comfort his wife on the loss of their son on the Michael Griffith. We were made seaworthy again , and continued with our trip. After we docked in Fleetwood, our Skipper “Sobs” Birch, never went to sea again. The storm tore down the North Sea claiming many lives on the English and Dutch coasts. I still have a letter that I posted to my mother from Stornoway, telling her about the Great Storm.

s.v. Acceptor FD45

Additional material by Ian Wilson

Technical

Official Number: 29810
Completed: 1861
Gross Tonnage: 49
Net Tonnage: 49
Length: 71.2
Breadth: 18.1
Depth: 8.5 feet
Rig: Dandy
Built: Smith & Stephenson, Grimsby

History

11.1861: Completed by Smith & Stephenson, Grimsby for Robert Roberts, 12 Worsley Buildings, Grimsby (R. Turner, skipper). Registered at Grimsby (GY98).
3.1869: Re-registered at Grimsby (GY72).
1870: Rebuilt.
11.1883: Sold to Joseph E. Horne, 20 Stanley Street, New Clee (P. Carter, skipper).
3.1888: Sold to F. W. Moody, Grimsby (G. Beacher, skipper).
10.1988: Sold to Charles H. Saunby, 32 Victoria Street, Fleetwood (managing owner). Grimsby registry closed. Registered on the Shipping Register at Fleetwood (FD45). Employed as a trading ketch.
1.1.1892: Owned by John D. Gibson, Fleetwood (managing owner).
1894: Sold to Mrs Mary J. Conley, Belfast.
1.1.1895: Owned by Alexander Hull, 34 Nelson Street, Belfast (managing owner).
6.1899: Wrecked Bunbeg River, Co. Donegal (J. Bailie, Master) having loaded bog ore at Bunbeg for Port Dundas. Master and two crew rescued.
1899: Fleetwood registry closed.

Changelog
18/02/2009: Page published. 6 revisions since then.
20/10/2014: PLN added.

sv Louie Rigby FD127

Captain Cap information courtesy of Jean-Paul and Annie Chesné

Technical

Official Number: 127580
Completed: 1910
Net Tonnage: 23
Length: 76 ft
Rig: Dandy – trawling
Built: J & J Armour, Fleetwood

History

1910: Completed by Armour Bros, Fleetwood for Thomas Rigby, Adelaide Street, Fleetwood & others as LOUIE RIGBY.
26.11.1910: Registered at Fleetwood (FD127).
1911: Sold to William Preston, Adelaide St, Fleetwood (managing owner).
1921: Sold to Mrs Grace A. E. Cookman, Carbery Lodge, Ascot, Berks (John G. Cookman, manager).
7.1921: Transferred to fish from Milford.
18.6.1923: On Southern Irish coast grounds, stood by Milford smack MINNIE (BM90) (51grt/1904)(Sk.Willard Richards), on fire in hold. Fire could not be contained. MINNIE attempted to run on to the Blackwater Bank off Wexford. Abandoned and crew picked up, vessel foundered shortly afterwards.
9.1923: Dismasted and in distress in heavy seas. Attended by Fleetwood steam trawler SOAR (FD155), connected and towed (18 hours) to Milford Haven.
1929: Same.
5.9.1930: Fleetwood registry closed. No longer fishing.
1935: Sold for conversion to a yacht.
1958: Further converted and renamed CAPTAIN CAP.
1962: Owned by Alain Bombard. Prepared for scientific expedition to the Mediterrenian – Sicily.
1970: Picked up abandoned schooner off Florida coast, towed for 72 hours and delivered safely.
6.1973: Advertised for sale in West Indies.
1975-76: Sold to D. Valin, Fort de France. Martinique for £129,365. Sailed from Grenada to Martinique. Operated by Martinique Charter et Services, Fort de France on day charters- 60 pax.
8.1979: In hurricane David grounded on coral in Fort de France Bay. Refloated by Travaux Sous-Marins Martinique (Jean-Paul Chesné) and returned to service.
8.1980: In hurricane Allen grounded on beach in Fort de France Bay. Refloated by Travaux Sous-Marins Martinique (Jean-Paul Chesné) with no damage.
1980: Sold to Travaux Sous-Marine Martinique, Fort de France, Martinique. After survey by French Marine Marchande (FMM) continued with day charter work.
1982: FMM surveyor required complete re-decking; completed in two weeks.
1983: FMM srveyor required new rudder; fabricated in steel.
1984: After four years charter work (10,000 pax/year) vessel for sale. Sold to French owners owners in Grenada.
1986-87: Foundered after striking a reef in The Grenadines.
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