Author Archives: Bill Johnson

S.T. Crown – GY108

Technical

Official Number: 122714
Yard Number: 512
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 266
Net Tonnage: 105
Length: 130 ft
Breadth: 22.2 ft
Depth: 11.8 ft
Built: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Hull
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Hull

History

14.12.1905: Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Hull (Yd.No.512) for Crown Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as CROWN.
1.1906: Completed.
30.1.1906: Registered at Grimsby (GY108).
30.1.1906: George Edward James Moody, appointed manager.
1906: Engaged in fishery research off North Africa.
1906: Transferred to Fleetwood.
6.11.1906: Sailed Fleetwood at 2.00pm. for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. John Dier); ten hands all told. At 3.30pm. when some 50 yds south of the Lune buoy set a course NW to pass between Maughold Head and the Bahama light vessel; patent log streamed. The weather was fine and clear, the sea smooth with a light ENE breeze, the ship making 9 to 91/2 knots. At 4.30pm. the skipper went below leaving the second hand in charge of the watch, but did not give any orders except course to steer. At 6.00pm. the second hand was relieved at the wheel by deckhand Duffy, on leaving the wheelhouse the second hand spoke to the skipper and asked if he was going to get his tea. The skipper told him to go and get his own tea and to call him afterwards; this statement was born out by Duffy. At 6.15pm. the third hand took the wheel with deckhand Carroll as look-out. At some time Carroll left the wheelhouse to use the toilet leaving the third hand alone. At about 8.15pm. the vessel struck and remained fast, the skipper came on deck and stopped and reversed the engine at full speed, but all efforts to move her failed. The Ch Eng. reported the engine room and the vessel herself was fast filling and in a short time the deck aft was under water. The boat was turned out and all hands abandoned to the shore where they landed safely.
7.11.1906: The position of the stranding was about one mile SW of Maughold Head, Isle of Man and about 100 yards from the shore. A few days later wreck was attended by Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association’s steam derrick barge LADY KATE (135grt/1881) and attempts were made to get the vessel off but she settled and was submerged at high water. Later declared a Constructive Total Loss (CTL).
29.11.1906: At the formal investigation held at Liverpool (S.231) the Court found that the stranding of and damage to the s.s. “CROWN” were caused by the default of the master and second hand, and by the neglect of the third hand. The Court severely censures the master, John Dier, for not giving proper and sufficient instructions for the navigation of the vessel before leaving the deck, and suspends the certificate of the second hand, William Lindhurst, for three months for not carrying out such orders of the master as were given, and considers Charles Wood, the third hand, neither a fit or proper person to hold such a position, as he knew the vessel was going at full speed on a dark night and that there was no one keeping a look-out.
2.1.1907: Grimsby registry closed “Wrecked”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Crown GY108

S.T. Crown GY108
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
19/05/2012: Page published. 5 updates since then.
24/01/2016: Picture added and information added.
09/02/2020: Updated information.

S.T. Dhoon (1) FD244

Technical

Official Number: 139213
Yard Number: 636
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 108
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough

History

19.4.1916: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.636) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood as DHOON.
24.5.1916: Registered at Fleetwood (FD244).
5.1916: Completed (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
9.1916: Requisitioned for war service from the builders and fitted out as a minesweeper (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.2959).
24.11.1916: Mined near Newarp Light Vessel.
19.12.1916: Fleetwood registry closed.

(Lost – Ty/Sk. Allan McB. Ramsay; Edward Casey, 2nd Hand; George Sharkey & William Stonebanks, Enginemen; Hugh McAngus, seaman; James F. B. Main, Malcolm McLeod, Isaac S. Stone & George M. Tait, deckhands; Donald Finlayson & Arthur G. Gardner, trimmers; John G. Lawrie, signalman)

S.T. Delphine A126

Technical

Official Number: 135979
Yard Number: 569
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 250
Net Tonnage: 97
Length: 125.0 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

25.11.1913: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.569) for Consolidated Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby as DELPHINE.
5.1.1914: Registered at Grimsby (GY958).
1.1914: Completed at a cost of £8773 13s 0d (John D. Marsden, manager).
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.1619).
1919: Returned to owner.
9.1927: Owners restyled Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (Sir John D Marsden, Bart, manager).
28.9.1929: Grimsby registry closed “To transfer to Nova Scotia”.
7.7.1930: Grimsby registry re-opened (GY958).
9.1934: Sold to North Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (John Alexander Harrow, manager).
19.9.1934: Grimsby registry closed.
20.9.1934: Registered at Aberdeen (A126).
10.1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
20.11.1939: On fishing grounds 18 miles N by E of Tory Island, Co. Donegal (Sk.C. J. Coxall); thirteen crew. At 3.30 p.m. observed 4 miles WSW a cloud of steam from a sinking trawler (THOMAS HANKINS (LO333)). Surmised U-boat in vicinity, hauled gear and made off, sent W/T distress message. At 4.00 pm. stopped by U-boat (U.33), abandoned to boat, sunk by gunfire. Boat damaged in launching, Ch.Eng put his foot in hole and packed with tallow. After twenty two hours and 38 miles, landed on Tory Island.
30.11.1939: Aberdeen registry closed.

Changelog
19/05/2012: page published. 5 updates since then.

S.T. Crane GY1237

Technical

Official Number: 113237
Yard Number: 7
Completed: 1902
Gross Tonnage: 209
Net Tonnage: 68
Length: 118.2 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Built: George Cooper, Hull
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co, Hull

History

1902: Launched by George Cooper, Hull (Yd.No.7) for The Pioneer Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as CRANE.
16.12.1902: Registered at Grimsby (GY1237).
12.1902: Completed (George E. J. Moody, manager).
2.7.1904: When some 12 miles from St. Kilda picked up the body of a middle aged woman and baby girl; the bodies supported by a lifebelt marked NORGE. The bodies were weighted and recommitted to the sea. Bodies from the Danish emigrant ship NORGE on passage Copenhagen to New York which foundered after striking Rockall on 28/29.6.1904, with the loss of over 630 lives.
1904: Sold to Thomas Baskcomb, Grimsby (managing owner).
26.12.1907: Lost at Tobermory, Mull while fishing from Fleetwood.
22.2.1908: Grimsby registry closed.

Changelog
19/05/2012: Page published. 4 updates since then.
27/01/2020: Added information.

S.T. Chancellor FD339

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 113083
Yard Number: 386
Completed: 1901
Gross Tonnage: 168.42
Net Tonnage: 54.41
Length: 105.8 ft
Breadth: 21.2 ft
Depth: 11.4 ft
Built: A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

20.2.1901: Launched by Miss Henderson, niece of the owner, at A. Hall & Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.386) for William Hall Dodds (64/64), Aberdeen as CHANCELLOR.
26.3.1901: Registered at North Shields (SN279).
3.1901: Completed as a liner. William Hall Dodds designated managing owner.
26.6.1902: Sold to The “Dodds” Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen. William Hall Dodds designated manager.
29.6.1905: The body of fireman Francis Ingram (29) of Aberdeen who had drowned was identified at Point Law, Aberdeen.
24.02.1906: When entering Aberdeen harbour at low water and with heavy swell running, grounded on the ledge opposite the flag house on the North Pier. Rolling heavily in the swell, steam paddle tug JOHN McCONNOCHIE (??grt/1879) attended, connected, refloated and moored alongside the Fish Market. Making water and believed propeller and stern post damaged. Placed on pontoon for survey and subsequent repair.
26.5.1906: In the afternoon when putting to sea from her berth in Albert Basin, Aberdeen adjacent to Point Law, whilst manoeuvring, ran straight across the dock running into the wharf at the new portion of the Fish Market causing serious damage to the timber facings. Backed off and put to sea. Later returned with damage visible, stem twisted and several shell plates set-in.
23.9.1906: In company with the steam trawlers OCEAN KING (A174); SUNRAY (A668); HARRY ROSS (A453); St. NICHOLAS (A489) and LAUREATE (SN257), arrived at Lerwick, Shetland in the charge of the Fishery cruiser BRENDA (174grt/1898) arrested for alleged fishing within the limit on the west side of Shetland.
4.3.1909: While alongside in Aberdeen, Ch Eng. Harry Denham (51), North Shields and 2nd Eng working in the engine-room, when the packing of the boiler manhole suddenly blew out. 2nd Eng, who was working at the side of the vessel next to the ladder leading from the engine-room to the deck, was able to make his escape, but Denham who was at the other side, failed to get away, and was terribly scalded with boiling water and steam. After the steam had cleared, his body was recovered, and removed by police ambulance to the mortuary in Lodge Walk.
11.1911: Sold to Robert Craig, Alexander Leiper & James Leiper, Aberdeen (64/64 joint owners). Robert Craig designated managing owner.
1.12.1911: North Shields registry closed.
4.12.1911: Registered at Aberdeen (A423).
8.8.1912: Stranded at Duncansby Head.
10.8.1912: Refloated and proceeded to Aberdeen.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 64.20 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
12.8.1915: Sold to William Hall Dodds (64/64), Aberdeen.
16.5.1916: Sold to the Port St. Mary Fishing & Curing Co Ltd (64/64), London. Charles Jeffs Jnr, Hest Bank designated manager.
2.2.1917: At Fleetwood Police Court:, deckhand Norris Linham was fined 40s for disobedience by failing to join the vessel.
3.1917: At Fleetwood. Fitted with Hotchkiss 6pdr gun (No.1252); complement increased by two gunners.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
11.10.1917: At Fleetwood Magistrates Court, Owen McNeil, Harry Coward and William L. McCaskie were summoned for refusal to go to sea when ordered and delayed a convoy twelve hours. Coward said it was blowing too hard in the morning to go to sea, the wind had not abated in the afternoon when they were ordered to go down. McCaskie who had been fined previously for a similar offence was fined 60s and the other two fined 40s; a week was given to pay.
5.8.1918: Sold to Ernest Taylor & Noah Ashworth, Fleetwood. Joseph A. Taylor designated manager.
1919: Released.
31.7.1919: Aberdeen registry closed.
2.8.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD339).
15.3.1924: On passage to Plymouth, put into Falmouth leaking. Subsequently beached for inspection.
17.03.1924: After effecting temporary repairs sailed for Plymouth.
7.10.1924: Sold to John Chant, Plymouth (Plymouth Trawlers Ltd). John Chant designated managing owner.
11.9.1926: Arrived Plymouth in tow of the Plymouth steam trawler TROJAN (GY848), having been picked up disabled with broken propeller shaft.
19.11.1927: Arrived back in Sutton Pool, Plymouth having lost her her trawling gear valued at £130.
4.2.1930: Arrived back in Sutton Pool, Plymouth with a navigational buoy in tow, picked up some 14 miles SW of Start Point. Once connected progress towards Plymouth had been slow at about 2 knots. Upon inspection the buoy was found to be dragging a chain cable between 60 to 100 fathoms in length. The buoy was a bell buoy and had travelled across from Canada, local boats had been keeping a look out for it, as it and had been drifting in the Channel for over a fortnight.
17.11.1931: Sold to Plymouth Trawlers Ltd, Plymouth. John Chant designated manager.
15.1.1934: Sailed Plymouth for West of England grounds (Sk. Edward Charles Rowe); nine crew all told.
17.1.1934: Fishing off the Eddystone, stopped at 2.00 a.m. due to bad weather and poor visibility (wind SW force 7-8, rain). Decided to return to Plymouth, set course NE by E and proceeded at full speed (7 to 8 knots), with the skipper and the Bosun, Wilfred Scobie and a deckhand William George Penberthy in the wheelhouse. The skipper was absent from the wheelhouse for 15 to 20 minutes and returned at about 4.30 a.m. shortly before the vessel stranded in Whitsand Bay near Withnoe Point, Rame Head. After stranding the engine was worked “Full Astern” but after a few revolutions ordered “Stop” and then “Full Ahead”. The skipper stated that this was done for crew safety. Fires were drawn and crew saved by rocket apparatus and breeches buoy.
1.1934: Abandoned and became total wreck.
31.1.1934: Fleetwood registry closed.
20.3.1934: At BOT Formal Investigation (No. S.362) held at Plymouth, the Court considered that the skipper took an undue risk in proceeding on a course at full speed from an uncertain or assumed position and without taking soundings during such course. The Court found that the stranding and subsequent loss were due to the wrongful act and default of her skipper, Edward Rowe. His ticket was suspended for twelve months.

Click to enlarge images

Movie of the wreck of Chancellor

S.T. Chancellor FD339

S.T. Chancellor FD339
Picture courtesy of The Bill Blow Collection

S.T. Chancellor FD339

S.T. Chancellor FD339
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Chancellor FD330

S.T. Chancellor FD330
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Chancellor FD339

S.T. Chancellor FD339
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Chancellor FD339

S.T. Chancellor FD339
Picture courtesy of The Gary Hicks Collection

Chancellor's boiler (1989)

Chancellor’s boiler (1989)
Picture from the Internet

Harold Lucock, Mate

Harold Lucock, Mate
Picture courtesy of The Terry Bunker Collection

S.T. Chancellor FD339

S.T. Chancellor FD339
Picture courtesy of The Terry Bunker Collection

Changelog
19/05/2012: Page published. 9 revisions since then.
19/08/2014: Boiler picture added.
16/01/2015: Made minor correction.
04/10/2015: Added further information.
30/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
18/11/2019: Updated information.
01/03/2020: Added link to movie of the wreck.
23/12/2020: Updated history.