Yearly Archives: 2009

S.T. Marsona FD21

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.

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323 (Seasonal)

Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 148197
Yard Number: 998
Completed: 1927
Gross Tonnage: 103
Net Tonnage: 44
Length 90.3: ft
Breadth: 19 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
Built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine 260ihp T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth

History

7.3.1927: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.999) for Star Drift Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft as Faithful Star.
9.4.1927: Completed (Frederick E. Catchpole, Lowestoft, manager) (valued at £3,900).
19.6.1927: Registered at Lowestoft (LT323).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay, managing agent).
3.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service employed on contraband control (1-3pdr) (Hire rate £49.11.4d/month).
6.1941: Based Weymouth as armed patrol (Ty/Sk. W. G. Hitter RNR). 9.3.1946: Returned to owner.
15.10.1946: At Lowestoft landed 190 crans of herring.
11.1952: Converted to motor by L.B.S. Engineering Co Ltd, Lowestoft, re-engined with 300bhp 4 stroke 3-cyl diesel by W. H. Podd Ltd, Lowestoft.
21.11.1952: Surveyed following conversion to diesel propulsion.
14.12.1957: At night in a strong onshore wind and snow showers got into difficulties whilst seeking shelter and stranded about 1/4 mile S of Orford Ness Lighthouse (Sk. George Challis). Two crew got ashore and raised alarm, other crew members made it to shore but Sk. Challis was rescued by LSA breeches buoy. Salvage arranged with Yarmouth tug RICHARD LEE BARBER (122grt/1940) but delayed due to picking up a barge which was adrift and delivering Harwich. Pushed further up the beach and damaged by heavy seas. Declared a Total loss.
15.5. 1958: Lowestoft registry closed.

(Crew – Sk. George Challis; Jack Bessey, Mate; Robert Norman, 3rd Hand; Charles O’Neill, Ch Eng; Eric Burwood, 2nd Eng; Stanley Humphrey & Kenneth Womack, deckhands; Frank Webb, cook.)

Click to enlarge images

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Greenday Collection

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

M.T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
22/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
28/10/2017: Added an image.
15/08/2020: Updated history.

S.T. John and Norah LT203 (Seasonal)

Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 135770
Yard Number: 141
Completed: 1913
Gross Tonnage: 95
Net Tonnage: 40
Length: 86 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.7 ft
Built: Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Boiler: Riley Brothers (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees

History

1913: Launched by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth (Yd.No.141) for Head & Wright Ltd, Lowestoft as JOHN & NORAH.
9.1913: Completed.
29.9.1913: Registered at Lowestoft (LT203).
29.9.1913: Ronald Walter Head, appointed manager.
9.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.1867). Based Dover.
1919: Returned to owner (William J. Head, manager).
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Fleetwood (William J. Head, managing agent).
7.1931: Connected to steam drifter/trawler LOYAL STAR (R246) stranded on Hats & Barrels rocks and pulled her clear.
9.7.1932: Out of Fleetwood, broke foremast when hauling.
18.3.1933: Off Trevose Head fouled propeller with gear.
3.10.1933: At Grimsby, badly damaged propeller.
26.11.1937: In collision with steam drifter SCORE HEAD (LT120).
13.1.1939: Off the Co. Waterford coast collided with Cork registered schooner BROOKLANDS (138grt/1859) damaging her above the waterline.
18.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY924) (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
5/6.1940: At Dunkirk evacuation.
1.6.1940: Arrived Ramsgate at 11.45am. landed 61 troops.
16.12.1942: Harold Frank Weeks, Fleetwood appointed manager.
10.1944: Employed on examining service.
1945: Returned to owner.
18.2.1946: Sold to East Anglian Fish Selling Co Ltd, Grimsby. Fitted out for seining.
9.3.1946: Lowestoft registry closed.
13.3.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY215). Harry Norman Franklin appointed manager.
11.12.1946: Registered at Grimsby as VISCARIA (GY215).
1958: Sold for breaking up.
25.8.1958: Grimsby registry closed.

Click to enlarge pictures

S.D/T. John and Norah LT203
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. John and Norah LT203
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Viscaria GY215
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
09/06/2016: Information updated.
01/03/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Iser FD79

Picture courtesy of Barry Johnson (Milford Trawlers)

Technical

Official Number: 162060
Yard Number: 537
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 222
Net Tonnage: 99
Length: 115 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby, 1912
Engine: 70nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10 knots

History

29.8.1912: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.537) for Soc Anon des Pêcheries à Vapeur, Ostend as ISA.
9.10.1912: Completed. Registered at Ostend (O81).
28.10.1914: Commenced fishing from Milford.
6.2.1915: On the Irish grounds (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie), sighted the TERESAE of Genoa in difficulties. In choppy seas and WNW strong breeze connected and commenced tow to Milford.
8.2.1915: Delivered Milford after stormy passage.
27.10.1916: Fishing off the Smalls in gale force conditions (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie) sighted smack FIERY CROSS (R281) with damaged mizzen and no steerage. With difficulty hauled net and connected to casualty to tow her clear of the Smalls. At 2330 in heavy seas, tow parted.
28.10.1916: At dawn in blinding rain ENE of the Smalls the tow was reconnected but at 2330 making for the entrance at St. Ann’s Head the tow parted again. Just before midnight tow was reconnected.
29.10.1916: At 1330 delivered Milford.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve (with owners permission).
12.6.1917: On Irish grounds (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie) at 0100 picked up a boat with twent-three survivors from the BAY STATE (6583grt/) torpedoed (10.6) by U.66 250 miles NW of Fastnet.
18.6.1917: Sailed Milford for fishing grounds off Ireland (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie).
20.6.1917: Picked up eighteen crew members of ENGLISH MONARCH (4947grt/1905) torpedoed without warning three days previously (18.6) by U.24 300 miles NW of Fastnet (52.06N 17.30W). Survivors in poor shape after 60 hours in boat. Set course for Milford.
21.6.1917: Stopped by two patrol vessels and told not to proceed as enemy submarine in the area. Landed survivors at Queenstown and returned to fishing. 2.7.1917: Off Bull Rock (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie) at about 2300 picked up twenty-four survivors of the Italian steamer PHOEBUS (3133grt/1894) torpedoed (30.6) by UC.44 off Berehaven. Hoisted boat and proceeded to Milford.
3.7.1917: Transferred survivors to RN sloop.
1917: Fitted with 6pdr gun at Swansea.
4 12.1917: Fishing south of the Smalls (Capitaine Louis Philippe Dedrie). in company with EMMANUEL (O87), ARIES (M97) and LOLIST (LT427). About 6.00 am. a submarine surfaced about 11/2 miles away. Trawlers hauled and under smoke screen, Capt Dedrie hoisted White Ensign and zig-zagged at speed towards the submarine firing all the time. Pursued submarine for 18-20 miles before he submerged.
1919: Released. John Bauwens, manager.
30.12.1919: Last landing at Milford.
23.11.1928: About 10 miles ENE of the Smalls, stood by Belgian trawler LUCIENNE-JEANNE (O153) (S.A. Pêcheries du Nord, Ostend) in distress.
4.1930: Sold to The Cevic Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Charles H. Friswell, manager).
4.1930: Ostend registry closed.
4.4.1930: Registered at Fleetwood as ISER (FD79).
10.8.1932: Arrived Tobermory with Belgian trawler ALBERT (O75) (Pêcheries à Vapeur, Ostend) in tow picked up 12 miles off Helsker with net fouling propeller.
6.1935: On a trip to Donegal Bay grounds (Sk. Somers).
22.6.1935: Seized by Civic Guards disguised as fishermen whilst fishing in prescribed area of Glengad Head and trawler taken into Loch Swilly by local fishermen.
22.6.1935: At Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Sk. Somers fined £37 and trawler detained pending payment. Fleetwood trawlers seen as a “poaching menace”.
8.1938: Laid up at Fleetwood.
2.1943: Sold to R. G. Parsley, Milford Haven (Don Trawling Co (Milford Haven) Ltd).
15.10.1948: When off St. Ann’s Head (Sk. E. Bracher), contacted by STAR OF PEACE (M133) (Sk. J. Mair) which had sprung a leak. Crew taken onboard, but Sk. Mair stayed behind; at 7.00 a.m. connected and commenced tow. At 9.30 a.m. Sk. Mair left the ship and shortly afterwards she went down.
12.05 p.m. Crew landed at Milford.
20.8.1953: Last landing at Milford.
1.1954 Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
9.1.1954: Arrived Castle Pill, Milford Haven.
1954: Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Iser FD79
Picture courtesy of The Ann Axford Collection

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
20/03/2015: Information updated.
14/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
08/02/2021: Updated history.

S.T. General Birdwood H121

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4250
Official Number: 144023
Yard Number: 893
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 327
Net Tonnage: 129
Length: 138.3 ft
Breadth: 23.7 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 600ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

1.5.1919: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.893) (“Mersey” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES McLAUGHLIN McLaughlin (Ad.No.4250).
5.2.1919: Forms for tender to purchase received by the Admiralty.
1919: Sold to Hellyer Brothers Ltd, Hull for £13,875.
7.11.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel. Total cost including fit out £23,799.6.6d. Frank O. Hellyer & Owen S. Hellyer designated managers.
18.11.1919: Registered at Hull (Part I & !V) as GENERWL BIRDWOOD O.N.1440023 (H121).
11.2.1922: At Hull City Police Courts, four fishermen, John Dibb, Bosun and deckhands Michael Quilligan, Frederick Osborne and William Quilligan were charged with disobedience by failing to sail in the trawler. Order was given on 6th Feb to be onboard next morning to go to sea; they were paid from this day.
7.2.1922: The men remained near the ship until 1.50 pm and at 2.00 pm were told to go onboard as the trawler was ready for sea. Having looked around, the men left the vessel, contending that there was five tons of coal still on deck, the bunker lids were off, hatches were not battened down and she was unfit to proceed into the Humber; this was denied by the owners. There were previous convictions against each of the men except Osborne. Dibb was fined £3 12 6d, Michael Quilligan £2gns, Osborne £2gns and William Quilligan £3gns, or in default, 28 days in prison in each case.
3.6.1922: William Ainsworth (40), deckhand, lost overboard on the fishing grounds.
1.4.1926: Outwards for Iceland, called Kirkwall for boiler repairs. On completion resumed passage.
1928: Fish carrier for halibut fishery in the Davis Strait, Greenland. A joint venture between Hellyer’s and Engvold Baldesheim of Trondheim.
24.11.1933: Sold to Fred Parkes, Blackpool & Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys. Basil Arthur Parkes designated managing owner.
14.3.1935: A call was received for crewman James Martin to return to Fleetwood owing to his wife’s illness. Sadly she died a short time later.
19.4.1939: On the West of Scotland grounds, started to take in water. Steamed 100 miles to Oban and on arrival beached for repair.
8.1939: After survey, sold to The Admiralty for £6,000.
27.10.1939: Hull registry closed. Fitted out for minesweeping duties (P.No.FY724). Based Freetown with M/S Group 93.
3.1944: Fitted out for smoke making (Esso) trawler and assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
11.6.1944: Sailed Solent for Mulberry B with Group A1 as part of Convoy ETC6. Employed smoke making.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
5.1946: Sold to Easton Trawling Co Ltd, Swansea. Registered at Swansea as WOODESSE (SA23).
31.7.1948: Company fined for breach of fish quota regulations. Stated their intention to sell the two vessels, WOODESSE and FINESSE.
6.1949: Sold to John S. Boyle Ltd, Glasgow. Richard Allan designated manager.
06.1949: Swansea registry closed.
28.06.1949: Registered at Glasgow (GW6). Fishing out of Granton.
1955: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Malcolm Brechin, Granton for breaking up.
5.1955: Delivered Granton.
5.1955: Glasgow registry closed.

(James McLaughlin, Landsman (volunteer), age 26, b. Co. Roscommon, Ireland – VICTORY (SB157))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. General Birdwood H121Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Changelog
26/12/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
02/01/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
25/07/2020: Updated history.

The Bosun's Watch

Fleetwood Steam and Sailing Trawlers

Yearly Archives: 2009

S.T. Marsona FD21

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323 (Seasonal)

S.T. John and Norah LT203 (Seasonal)

S.T. Iser FD79

S.T. General Birdwood H121