Author Archives: George Armitage

sv Harriet – CK59

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 53487
Registered Tonnage: 25
Completed: 1865
Rig: Cutter/Jigger Smack

History

1865: Completed at Jersey possibly by Charles W Aubin, Gorey, as Harriet possibly an oyster smack.
11.10.1865: Registered at Jersey.
11.10.1865: Appropriated.
By 1870: Owned by Charles Auger, Burnham, Essex. Registered at Colchester (CK59).
1872: Sold to George Maskell, Brightlingsea.
1879: Sold to Robert A. Dawson, 20 East Beach, Lytham and George Maskell, 25 London Street, Fleetwood.
24.9.1881: Took part in the Fleetwood Regatta, Trawl Boat Race, (Sk. George Maskell) in wet and hazy weather. OYSTER GIRL (FD115) (Sk. William Coulborn) was favourite, leading at first but soon overtaken by GRATITUDE (FD156) (Sk.Richard Johnson). Finished third (£3).
25.9.1883: Sailed Fleetwood for the fishing grounds (Sk. David Herbert, crew, T. Lennox, J. Smith and Sam Colley.
26.8.1883: Running for home In gale force winds, squally rain and heavy seas. About noon came off the wind and while the crew were engaged in taking a third reef in the mainsail, the forestay broke allowing the mast to break and fall over the stern. Smith who was reefing the sail had a narrow escape for had the mast not partially fallen, giving warning, he would either have been killed or knocked overboard. The crew cut away the rigging, allowing the mast to go clear and then put a spar to the stump and hoisted signals of distress. The OYSTER GIRL (FD115) passed within 200 yards, but probably owing to the weather could not risk stopping. The skipper let go the anchor and assessed the damage. About an hour later the mainmast and rigging floated close past the smack. This caused some anxiety, as it was generally supposed that the smack MARY ELLEN (FD21) first lost her mast and was afterwards sunk owing to it coming in contact with the boat. At about 11.00pm, the smack was spoken by the smack BADGER (FD55) who stayed with them overnight, their positions being marked by torch lights.
27.9.1883: At 6.00am weighed anchor and an hour later, the BADGER having closed and connected, the tow was underway. Several of the smacks that had returned yesterday reported that the HARRIET was seen with decks swept and masts gone. At about 10.00am the smacks WONDER (FD68) and BEAVER (FD55) sailed with volunteer crews of eight to ten men each to search for the HARRIET. They had not got far, however, before they met the disabled smack in tow of the BADGER. Arrived of Steep Brest about 1.00pm and met by steam tug WARDLEYS (122grt.1882), the service of which, however, was refused. Numerous spectators greeted them on arrival.
5.10.1883: Reported that mast and gear except standing rigging belonging to the smack has been picked up north of Ravenglass. Mr Maskell, the owner, has been to claim it, and it will be forwarded to Fleetwood by rail.
From at least 1886: Engaged in the coasting trade (Taylor, master) mainly out of Whitehaven but also Workington and Maryport. Ports visited, principally Garlieston, but also Wigtown, Creetown, Kirkcudbright, Dalbeatie, Port William, Ramsey and Larne, most likely with coals, returning either light or with grain, potatoes, etc.
1887: Sold to George Maskell, 25 London Street, Fleetwood.
18.1.1889: Arrived Whitehaven from Garlieston.
12.9.1893: Arrived Fleetwood.(Taylor, master).
24.10.1893: Sailed Fleetwood (Taylor, master) for Port Erin, IoM.
1.1894: Sold to Hamilton Dixon, Whitehaven & others. Hamilton Dixon managing owner.
1895: Remeasured 14n.
1894: Colchester registry closed. Registered at Whitehaven (WA56).(2/1894).
13/14.2.1895: A severe snow storm accompanied by a perfect gale of wind hit the Cumberland coast and the Solway Firth. In the area was the HARRIET and for 25 hours she encountered the worst of the weather.
14.2.1895: Arrived Garlieston., Wigtownshire, her appearance, covered with ice and snow, was that of a ghost ship. One of the crew had frost bite and all had traces of exposure.
17.2.1895: Arrived Whitehaven from Garlieston.
29.12.1915: Whitehaven registry closed. Broken up.

Changelog
19/08/2022: Page published.

sv Sparkler – ??

Information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical and historical information needed about this vessel. Please contact webmaster@fleetwood-trawlers.info

Technical
Registered Tonnage: 17
Rig: Smack – trawling

History
4.9.1855: Advertised. For Sale by Private Treaty, THREE FISHING SMACKS, namely the JANE, Fifteen Tons Register; the MARGERY, Twenty-one Tons: the SPARKLER, Seventeen Tons. They are each in good Working Order, have Nets and Trawl Gear, complete and are at present fishing out of Fleetwood. Applications to be made to John Jackson, 1 West Street, Whitehaven; or to Ebenezer Cox, Fleetwood. August 15th, 1855.

7.7.1856: Sailed on the morning tide for the fishing grounds. The wind was variable changing direction and freshening throughout the day. At about 11.30pm it started to blow from the north.
8.7.1856: At 12.30am a furious gale suddenly blew up and the Fleetwood fleet 12 in number, which were lying off Black Combe, north of Duddon Estuary, received considerable damage. Lost the foresail. The smacks then laid their vessels under snug canvas and the wind later being favourable for them to reach Fleetwood; left the area.
10.7.1856: Most of the fleet arrived home about 6.00am without further damage.
17.7.1862: Report by John Studholm, master.
10.7.1862: Fishing out of Whitehaven. In a strong NNW wind, when some two miles wide of Douglas Head at about 8.00pm picked up a gig with five hands onboard which was in a sinking state. The crew of the gig were bailing with their shoes and it was their cries that first attracted Capt. Studholm’s attention. The trawler was put about, the crew brought onboard and with the gig in tow brought them into Douglas. For this service the owner of the boat, Mr Nicholson, a painter, of Douglas, presented Capt Studholm with 5s for saving the boat. FATE.

Changelog
19/06/2022: Page published.

sv Gipsey Queen – FD32

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 27133
Registered Tonnage: 31
Built: Runcorn
Rig: Smack – trawling

History

1858: Completed at Runcorn as GIPSEY QUEEN.
16.2.1859: Registered at Liverpool.
1865: Owned by John Beaham, Dublin.
1870: Sold to William Johnson, Preston. Liverpool registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD32).
1873: Owned by John Johnson, Bradford.
1875: Owned by John Johnson, Fleetwood.
1880: Sold to William Sherlock, 3 Marmion Road, Hoylake. Fleetwood registry closed.
4.6.1880: Registered at Liverpool (LL64).
1890: Sold to Mrs M. Sherlock, 3 Marmion Road, Hoylake & others. Mrs M. Sherlock managing owner.
17.2.1897: Sold to George James Pratt, 31 Bedford Street, North Liverpool.
1897: Tonnage recorded as 23 regd tons
8.12.1898: Liverpool Part IV registry closed.
1900: Register closed.

Changelog
13/06/2022: Page published.

sv New Alice

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 24133
Completed: 1849
Tonnage: 26.86 regd. tons
Length: 52.0 ft
Breadth: 14.3 ft
Depth: 6.9 ft
Smack-trawling

History

1849: Laid down by Thomas Wright, Freckleton.
10.1849: Completed by Robert Wright, Freckleton for William Robinson, Southport as NEW ALICE.
27.10.1849: Registered at Liverpool.
By 1869: Liverpool registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood.
1874: Sold to James McGee (32/64) and James Scott, (32/64), Whitehaven.
5.1.1875: On a fishing trip (Sk. James Goodall). About five miles off St. Bees Head came upon the decomposed body of Walter Bezant, labourer, of Harrington, one of the men who drowned during the Harrington regatta on the 24th of May. Took the body in tow and when off the West Pier, took it into the boat and brought it into Whitehaven.
19.1.1875: Fleetwood registry closed.
21.1.1875: Registered at Whitehaven.
23.1.1876: Stranded at St. Bees beach (Sk. Thomas Wignall). Only slight damaged, hope to refloat.
25.1.1876: Likely to be a wreck.
5.2.1876: Whitehaven registry closed. “Vessel totally lost on St. Bees beach the 23rd January 1876.”

Changelog
03/03/2022: Page published.

S.T. Bangkok – GG206

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Bert van der Toom

Technical

As built…………..
Official Number: 106779
Yard Number: 210
Gross Tonnage: 188g
Net Tonnage: 66
Length: 112.6 ft
Breadth: 21.0 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl (320ihp later recorded as 350ihp) by Bailey & Leetham, Hull
Swedish registration: O.N.3948. 34,4 x 6,3 x 3.54 metres 189.97g. 75.56n
Dutch registration: 34,37 x 6,30 x 3,50 metres 183.43g 68.34n

History

28.9.1897: Launched by Mrs R. Blades at Cochrane & Cooper, Grovehill shipyard, Beverley (Yd.No.210) For East Coast Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as BANGKOK.
4.11.1897: Registered at Hull (H379).
6.11.1897: Completed. Landing at Hull.
3.1899: On an Iceland trip, saw the Hull steam trawler RICHARD SIMPSON (H91) stranded at Portland with a Grimsby steam trawler standing by, then lost to view in a very heavy snow storm.
26.3.1899: On return to Hull reported that crew of RICHARD SIMPSON were safe and in Reykjavik.
24.2.1900: Following last week’s gales, arrived Aberdeen with Grimsby smack DEVOTION (GY1038) in tow, picked up disabled with decks completely swept and only stump of mainmast remaining. Landing into Aberdeen.
18.5.1900: Sold to West Riding Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby.
22.5.1900: Hull registry closed.
23.6.1900: Registered at Grimsby (GY1175).
12.1901: Sold to Göteborgs Angfiske AB, Gothenburg, Sweden (Melcher Lyckholm and Hilding Larsson)
3.12.1901: Grimsby registry closed.
12.1901: Registered at Gothenburg (GG206). With a British crew landing mainly into Grimsby.
1.1.1902 – 31.3.1902: Working in the Moray Firth.
1903 – 1910: Fishing out of Grimsby and Fleetwood with British Fishing Masters and part British crew.
20.5.1904: At Wick Sheriff Court, Sk. Adolf Falk pleaded guilty to fishing inside the three mile limit off Clythness on 13 February. He had been reported by the skipper of the Buckie fishing boat VINE. The Sheriff found the charge proved and imposed a penalty of £75 or forty days imprisonment.
29.6.1904: Arrested by Fishery Board steamer VIGILANT (134grt/1886) (Capt Alex. Alexander) fishing within the prohibited limits in Kilbrannan Sound, Arran. When sighted the trawler made off but when pursued hove to. Brought into Campbeltown. At Campbeltown Sk. Svend T’jenvold was convicted of contravention of the Herring Fishery (Scotland) Act 1889 and fined £50 with forfeiture of the net. He had onboard about four tons of fish.
23.10.1904: Stranded on Drone Point, Castletown, Berehaven, Co. Cork. Refloated next tide without damage.
9.11.1904: At Bantry, Co Cork petty sessions, Sk. Adolph Falk, Dock street, Fleetwood and Sk. John Reade, Upper Warren Street, Fleetwood of the steam trawler DESIDERATUM (H154) were each fined £21 and £2 10s costs for trawling within the three mile limit in
Bantry Bay.
10.11.1904: Went to the assistance of the Chester registered schooner ARIEL (71nrt/1870), cargo copper ore, which in attempting to leave Berehaven Harbour, Co. Cork suffered from a loss of wind and was driven ashore by the tide at Coltrock. Connected and refloated but badly damaged the schooner filled and foundered in about 5 fathoms. Crew saved.
1905: New boiler fitted.
10.4.1905: One of five steam trawlers working close to the limits at the south end of the island of Gigha sighted by the Fishery Board
steamer MINNA (281grt/1900)(Capt McEwan). The MINNA put into Ardminish Bay having received complaints from Gigha of steam trawlers fishing inside the limits. Coming out after dark caught the BANGKOK fishing one and a half miles off the land. The trawler was boarded, the skipper placed under arrest and ordered to proceed to Campbeltown. At the Sheriff’s Court later in the day, Sk. T’jenvold was charged with contravention of the Herring Fishery (Scotland) Act 1889 and as this was his second offence within the past year the Sheriff imposed a fine of £100, confiscation of the net, or two months imprisonment.
11.7.1906: Put back to Grimsby with engine break down.
24.8.1906: In darkness and raining heavily, just before midnight stranded at Killiness Point, Luce Bay. Fishermen Alexander, James and David Chalmers of Drummore rowed out to the trawler which was sounding her siren continuously and firing flares. The trawler came off
but shortly afterwards went aground on a reef of rocks known as the Isle Stones which project in a SE direction at a point about 250 yds to the S of Killiness Point. Boarding the trawler, Alexander Chalmers, at the request of the master, pointed out on the chart exactly where the vessel lay and gave directions as to how to get her off. The trawler was refloated and continued her passage. The value of the BANGKOK was £2,750.
17.4.1907: At Elgin Sheriff Court, Sk. John Cogdin, Fleetwood, fishing master, was charged with two counts of contravening the Moray Firth bylaws; he pleaded guilty. A fine of £10 for each offence was imposed with the option of seven days imprisonment, to be consecutive – £20 or fourteen days.
3.5.1907: At Campbeltown Sheriff court, Sk. William James Wood, 57 North Albert Street, Fleetwood, fishing master, was charged that on 6th March he was sighted by the Fishery Board steamer VIGILANT (Capt Alex. Alexander), working inside the Firth of Clyde (a straight line drawn between the Mull of Kintyre and Corsewall Point). After legal discussion, Wood was convicted and a fine of £15 or ten days imprisonment imposed.
18.7.1907: In the Admiralty Court, London, action was brought by Alexander, James and David Chalmers of Drummore, to recover salvage
remuneration for services alleged to have been rendered to the steam trawler BANGKOK on 23 August 1906. According to the defence the
trawler was never in any danger and came off without any assistance from the plaintiffs. While denying that salvage services had been
rendered the defendants offered £20. The court agreed that the services were in the nature of salvage, but that £20 tendered was adequate remuneration. Judgement was given for the defendants with costs from the date of tender and plaintiff’s costs up to the time of payment.
26.1.1908: At the tail end of a remarkable fog that had enveloped the Humber, when making for the new Fish Dock entrance took the ground on the south side of the piers and came fast. Tug STAG (38grt/1883) in attendance but failed to refloat on the falling tide. Came off the following tide and berthed in the Fish Dock with two propeller blades stripped.
5.2.1908: While fishing in the Moray Firth some seven miles off the coast of Caithness, ran over and carried away five nets and destroyed eight nets with ropes, belonging to the Wick fishing boat BENAIGEN (not identified) to the value of £68 10s. Questions were asked in the House of Commons and the incident referred to the Crown Office.
1.6.1908: Arrived Tail-of-the-Bank, Fleetwood for Glasgow. Landing at Fleetwood.
4.9.1908: Landed 80 boxes.
25.8.1908: Landed 180 box (100 hake).
2.10.1908: Landed 40 boxes (30 hake).
15.2.1909: Landed 180 boxes.
3.3.1909: At Stranraer Sheriff Court, Sk. Hans Edward Anderson, fishing out of Fleetwood, plated not guilty to trawling two and a half miles off Bennan Head. When the Fishery Board steamer VIGILANT (Capt Alex. Alexander) came in view Sk. Anderson maintained that they were drifting with the net onboard for repair. The case was proven and Anderson was fined £50 or one month imprisonment, and forfeiture of catch (about 1 ton) and gear.
17.3.1909: Landed 100 boxes.
13.4.1909: Landed 150 boxes.
19.4.1909: Landed 143 boxes.
18.6.1909: At Campbeltown, Sheriff Court, Francis Crottie, Fishing Master, was fined £10 for two offences of otter trawling inside the Firth of Clyde (a straight line drawn between the Mull of Kintyre and Corsewall Point).
7.10.1809: Landed 50 boxes.
12.11.1909: Landed120 boxes.
22.11.1909: Landed 95 boxes.
3.12.1909: Landed 111 boxes. Last landing at Fleetwood.
1910: Fishing out of Gothenburg. Sold to AB Gadus Fabriker, Gothenburg (Melcher Lyckholm).
1911: Registered at Gothenburg as HELGA (GG206).
14.1.1915: Sold to Fiskeri AB Avance, Gothenburg Johan August Nilsson, Adolf Frederick Magnusson and Fritz Winter Balkenhausen).
28.9.1923: In the Skagerrak, just before noon, with skilful seamanship rescued Capt C.W. Spencer and Capt C. Berry crew of the British
balloon MARGARET taking part in the Gordon-Bennett race. The MARGARET had ascended from Brussels at 5.09 pm the previous day heading for Sweden but heavy rain forced them to descend dragging the basket through the sea.
1925: Company in liquidation. Sold by liquidator to Trål AB Kalken, Gothenburg (Johan August Nilsson).
7.3.1929: Sold to NV Stoomvisscherij “Emergo”, IJmuiden (J. M. Barneveld).
14.3.1929: Registered at IJmuiden.
17.3.1929: Registered at IJmuiden as STORMVOGEL (YM96(IJM96)).
3.1934: Sold to W. Kramer Snr & J. P. Booij, IJmuiden.
31.5.1934: Registered at IJmuiden as VIOS IV (IJM96).
11.11.1941: In the North Sea off IJmuiden (Sk. Hendrik Wijker), sighted by aircraft of Coastal Command while on a ‘Rover’ patrol along the Dutch coast. Under the assumption that they were under German command, strafed, bombed and sunk by Lockheed Hudsons of RCAF 407
Coastal Strike Squadron based at Northcoates, Lincolnshire. Three crew members killed *.
2.12.1941: IJmuiden registry closed.

Crew members killed *
Hendrik Wijker, skipper, aged 50 from Velsen
Petrus Kuijken. stoker, from Haarlem
Frank de Jager, aged 50 from Scheveningen

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Vios IJM96

S.T. Vios IV IJM96
Picture courtesy of The Bert van der Toom Collection

S.T. Vios IJM96

S.T. Vios IV IJM96
Picture courtesy of The Bert van der Toom Collection

Changelog
07/02/2022: Page published.