Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 127154
Yard Number: 452
Completed: 1908
Gross Tonnage: 214.81
Net Tonnage: 78.56
Length: 116.1 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

6.5.1908: Launched by Mrs Wetherly, wife of Sk. Robert Wetherley Jnr. at Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.452) for Wetherley’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen as JESSIE WETHERLY.
11.6.1908: Registered at Aberdeen (A228).
5.1908: Completed. William R. Wetherly designated manager.
10.6.1908: In fine weather sailed Aberdeen at about 11.00 am on a trial trip with a large number of invited guests (Sk. Robert Wetherly). After steaming in a NE direction for about a couple of hours the trawl was shot. On hauling, the catch was distributed among the guests. In late afternoon returned to Aberdeen.
1909: Fishing out of Fleetwood.
15.1.1909: With rough weather on the fishing grounds, landed 70 boxes.
27.3.1909: Landed 250 boxes.
14.4.1909: Landed 140 boxes.
11.5.1909: Landed 200 boxes.
8.10.1909: Possibly last landing at Fleetwood, 255 boxes.
11.1909: At Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
26.11.1909: Landed 16 tons including 300 boxes and 1 ton side fish.
7.12.1909: Landed 230 boxes and 31/2 tons side fish.
11.1.1910: Landed 180 boxes and 8 score.
30.3.1910: Landed 220 boxes and 51/2 tons.
1.4.1910: Sailed Aberdeen for Iceland grounds (Sk. Robert Erskine Wetherly); twelve hands all told.
5.4.1910: In clear visibility, fair breeze with a full moon shining, but a heavy sea running, fishing some 20 – 30 miles from Vestmannaeyjar in the company of other trawlers. At about 1.30 am. the skipper shouted to those on deck “ Look out there “. Immediately afterwords the Arcachon steam trawler NORDCAPER (ARC51), with lights burning, crashed into the side abreast the engine room. The French trawler rebounded with force of impact but with steam not having been shut off, went ahead crashing into the side again doing considerable damage. Following the collision all hands were on deck, some only partially clothed, but prepared to abandon, it being seen that the chance of remaining onboard was hopeless as she was starting to settle. All crew* taken onboard the NORDCAPER and shortly after trawler foundered. Landed at Reykjavik.
19.4.1910: Survivors sailed Reykjavik for Leith in Danish mail steamer CERES (1166grt/1882).
22.4.1910: Survivors arrived Leith.
23.4.1910: Survivors arrived Aberdeen.
28.4.1910: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel sunk after collision off Iceland 5th April 1910”. Vessel was fully insured.

Crew* saved: Sk. R. E. Wetherly; John Gallagher, mate; D. M’Hattie, A. Mitchell and W. Goldsmith, engineers; James Boyle, John Buchan, James Tocher and W. Thomson, fishermen; D. Allen and J. Hedcocks, deckhands; Joseph Murray, cook.

Changelog
10/08/2021: Page published.