Category Archives: Drifter/Trawler

S.D/T. Humorous LT691 (Seasonal)

Additional material courtesy of Roy Breach

Technical

Official Number: 136622
Yard Number: 32
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 101,35
Net Tonnage: 38.79
Length: 87.5 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Built: Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby
Engine: 190ihp C.2-cyl by Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby
Boiler: Riley Brothers (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees

History

1.1916: Launched by Charlton & Co Ltd, Grimsby (Yd.No.32) for George Thomas Hume (64/64), Lowestoft as HUMOROUS.
5.1916: Completed.
20.5.1916: Registered at Lowestoft (LT691). Requisitioned from the builders for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.2744). Based in Aegean Sea.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Lowestoft (George T. Hume, Lowestoft).
1921: White fish trawling from Scarborough (Sk. Harry “Whisper” Cammish and Jim “Batten’er down” Crawford). Richard Wardle Crawford managing agent. At Scarborough alongside pier, at low water heeled over and fell on starboard side causing damage. Richard Wardle Crawford sought compensation from Scarborough Harbour Commissioners citing the state of the harbour bottom as the cause.
16.6.1922: Case heard before the High Court of Justice, Admiralty Division.
17.1.1926: At Brixham delivered steam drifter EVENING PRIMROSE (LT1117) which had been picked up disabled with a fouled propeller.
30.1.1926: Sold to Hollingshurst Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft. George Breach appointed manager.
21.9.1926: George Breach died. Share ownership transferred to executors, Louisa Breach, George Alan Breach & Wm. Hutchings all Lowstoft (64/64 joint owners). George Alan Breach designated managing owner.
1928: Seasonal white fish trawling out of Fleetwood.
19.6.1928: typical landing 55 boxes.
1930/31: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
25.1.1933: To be sold by Order of the High Court of Justice, Admiralty Division.
24.2.1933: Sold by Order of the Admiralty Marshal at Lowestoft to Peacock & Co (Lowestoft) Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft. Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland appointed manager.
13.10.1936: Frederick Ernest Beane appointed manager.
22.9.1934: At Lowestoft (Sk. W. Durrant) delivered steam drifter ACCUMULATOR (LT655) picked up disabled with broken propeller.
7.1939: Sold for breaking up.
18.1.1940: Lowestoft registry closed “Vessel broken up … ”.

Changelog
08/09/2011: Page published. 4 updates since then.
15/01/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.D/T. Sarah Hide – LT1157

Additional material by Roy Breach and Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 140025
Yard Number: 457
Completed: 1921
Gross Tonnage: 162
Net Tonnage: 68
Length: 103.9 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 10.9 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow

History

23.12.1920: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.457) for Arthur Gouldby (64/64), Kessingland as ARTHUR GOULDBY.
2.1921: Completed.
21.2.1921: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1215). Arthur Gouldby designated manager.
22.6.1922 (Registered): Shares (48/64) sold to Frank Clement Burton (14/64), Lowestoft; William George Garrood (14/64), Oulton Broad; Walter Albert Wood Greaves (14/64), Pakefield; Henry Blunderfield Garrood (4/64), Oulton Broad and Mariames Theresa Lawrence (2/64), Lowestoft. Arthur Gouldby appointed manager.
22.4.1930: Frank Clement Burton died.
2.9.1930 (Registered): In accordance with Will dated 10.4.1930, shares (14/64) transferred to Edith Clara Burton, Lowestoft; Clement Ernest Brunswick Burton, Oulton Broad & Arthur Gouldby (jointly held), Lowestoft (Arthur Gouldby manager).
24.6.1933: Arthur Gouldby (16/64) shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
17.4.1934: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Lowestoft (14/64) shares held jointly by Edith Clara Burton; Clement Ernest Brunswick Burton and Arthur Gouldby. 18.4.1934: Arthur Gouldby (14/64) shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (B).
1935: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood. (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft managing agents).
28.9.1936: Henry George Prior appointed manager.
28.2.1937: Marianne Theresa Lawrence died.
28.8.1937: (Registered): In accordance with Will dated 1.5.1935, shares (2/64) transferred to Barclays Bank Ltd, London.
31.8.1937: (Registered): Sold to Kittiwake Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (30/64 shares sold by National Provincial Bank Ltd, London under mortgages (A) & (B)). John Victor Breach appointed manager.
11.9.1937: Mortgaged to Small & Co (Lowestoft) Ltd, Lowestoft (C) at 6% interest.
7.9.1937: Registered at Lowestoft as SARAH HIDE (LT1157) (BoT minute M/RG 1561/1937 dated 4.9.1937).
8.10.1937: At Yarmouth landed 147 crans of herring.
16.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1- MG) (P.No.FY.968) (Hire rate £54.13.6d/month).
20.2.1940: Based Dover (Ty/Sk. H. G. Meen RNR). Picked up two survivors of Whitehaven steam coaster RYDAL FORCE (1101grt/1924) mined 400yards south of Gull Light Vessel, Thames Estuary (Mines laid by German aircraft 21.4.1940).
1.6.1940: Operation Dynamo – Dunkirk evacuation, landed 90 troops at Ramsgate.
7.1941: Based Ipswich as armed patrol drifter.
26.5.1943: Ty/Sk. J. Mulligan RNR appointed CO.
16.1.1944: Sk. L. Haigh RNR appointed CO.
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1945: Ronald Henry Self appointed manager.
31.12.1945: Returned to owner.
5.1.1946: Taken off hire.
4.10.1947: At Lowestoft landed 160 crans.
5.11.1947: In collision with steam drifter STRIVE (LT133) and sustained damage.
17.11.1949: Grounded between piers at Lowestoft.
1950s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
3.4.1950: At Fleetwood landed 176 boxes of white fish grossed £795.
26.5.1952: Last landing at Fleetwood.
6.10.1952: At Lowestoft landed 243 crans.
27.10.1952: At Lowestoft landed 235 crans.
8.11.1952: At Lowestoft landed 225 crans.
25.7.1953: Mortgage (C) discharged.
1.1955: Sold to Belgian shipbreakers (MoT GSP.1/1/01578 dated 14.1.1955).
31.1.1955: Sailed Lowestoft for Antwerp.
7.2.1955: Lowestoft registry closed.

(Note: Named after John Victor Breach’s mother)

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T. Sarah Hide LT1157

S.D/T. Sarah Hide LT1157
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
15/05/2011: Page published.
02/07/2016: Picture added.
16/07/2019: Updated information.

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737 (Seasonal)

Additional material by Barry Banham and Milford Trawlers site

Technical

Official Number: 149229
Yard Number: 579
Completed: 1929
Gross Tonnage: 138
Net Tonnage: 59
Length: 98.0 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 10.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Built: John Chambers Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft

History

1929: Launched by John Chambers Ltd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (Yd.No.579) for Edward Catchpole, Kessingland & Baxter & Co, Lowestoft as WILLING BOYS.
3.1930: Completed (Edward Catchpole, Kessingland, manager).
21.3.1930: Registered at Lowestoft (LT737).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood.
1.7.1937: Fishing near the Glass Norman bank off the Wicklow coast (Sk. Russell James Gower); arrested by Irish Free State fishery cruiser MUIRCHÚ after shots were fired.
2.7.1937: Sk. Gower of Lowestoft was charged in Dublin Police Court with illegally fishing off the Wicklow coast. Fined £100 and gear and catch forfeited.
15.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY.947) (Hire rate £77.15.11d/month).
6.1940: Based Dover (Ty/Sk. R. McLean RNR).
20-26.5.1940: Evacuation from Boulogne, Calais & Dunkirk.
25.5.1940: Sailed Dover for Calais in company with the trawlers ARLEY (P.No.FY.620) (FD41), BOTANIC (P.No.FY.707) (H463), BROCK (P.No.FY621) (FD47), CALVI (GY269), FYLDEA (P.No.666) (FD72), MARETTA (P.No.FY.665) (FD45), POLLY JOHNSON (H322) and drifter PLAYMATES (P.No.FY.738) (YH141) with several river launches in tow.
26.5.1940: At 1.40am. arrived off the French coast. No evacuation order was given.
1941: Fitted out as a LL drifter.
1.1942: Based Dover as a LL drifter (Sk. C. E. Coble RNR).
6.1943: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1945: Sold to Pevensey Castle Ltd, Lowestoft (R. H. Self, manager).
8.1946: Returned to owner.
1949-1950: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
17.5.1949: At Fleetwood landed 209 boxes grossed £835.
17.8.1949: Last landing at Fleetwood, 218 boxes grossed £793.
14.3.1950: At Fleetwood landed 181 boxes grossed £847.
13.5.1950: Last landing at Fleetwood, 135 boxes grossed £416.
1953: Sold to W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd, Milford Haven (William H. Kerr, manager).
5.1957: Sailed Milford for Lowestoft for conversion to diesel propulsion (Sk.Sid Durrant).
9.1957: Converted at Lowestoft. Re-engined with a 2stroke 6-cyl 280bhp oil engine by Crossley Bros. Ltd, Manchester.
1.9.1957: On completion of successful trials sailed Lowestoft to fish round to Milford (Sk. Sid Durrant).
6.8.1959: Sailed Milford for Lowestoft and to fish from that port (Sk. Joe Utting).
5.1.1961: Returned to Milford from Lowestoft, but damaged in collision with drifter trawler FEACO (LT207) also returning from Lowestoft.
5.1970: Laid up at Milford.
2.1973: When trawling off the Devon Coast (Sk. Frank Reynolds) hauled a torpedo warhead. Landed at Milford and attended by Plymouth RN Bomb & Mine Disposal Team and found to contain 500lbs of TNT. Safely exploded on Castlemartin Range.
15.2.1973: Escorted into Dunmore by LÉ DIEDRE (P.No.P20) having been arrested for alleged poaching in Irish Republican waters.
16.2.1973: At Court in Dublin Sk. Reynolds fined £210 for fishing in Irsh Republic territorial waters off the Wexford coast and gear and catch (60 boxes of whiting) valued at £1,500 confiscated.
23.7.1973: Sailed Milford for Briton Ferry towing DEELITE (YH29) sold for breaking up.
5.1973: W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd and fleet taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Hull (William H. Kerr remained manager) (BDSF were already majority shareholders).
1974: Sold to Brig Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven.
12.1975: Last landing at Milford. Laid up.
3.1976: Sold to Thomas W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Briton Ferry.
23.3.1976: Sailed Milford for Briton Ferry. Lowestoft registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737
Picture courtesy of The John Stevenson Collection

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737

S.D/T. Willing Boys LT737
Picture © The Mike Crutchley Collection

Changelog
07/08/2011: Page published. 11 updates since then.
11/08/2016: Added picture.
01/01/2019: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
15/08/101`: Updated history.

S.D. Gervais Rentoul LT740

Additional material courtesy of Roy Breach and Barry Banham

Technical
Official Number: 132180
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 99
Net Tonnage: 42
Length: 87.2 ft
Breadth: 19.1 ft
Depth: 9.6 ft
Built: George Smith Jnr, Buckpool, Buckie
Engine: T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd,
Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow
Wooden built drifter

History

1916: Launched by George Smith Jnr, Buckie (Yd.No.) on speculation as GREEN PASTURE.
5.1917: Completed. Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter(1-6pdr) (Ad.No.3108). Based at Peterhead.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Findochty (R. Tindall & Son, Buckie, agents).
1919: Sold to Joseph Wood, Portknockie & others.
29.1.1919: Registered at Buckie (BCK237).
22.11.1919: Sold to Lancelot Charles Harvey (32/64), Fritton and Robert Thomas Moore (32/64), Lowestoft (Robert Thomas Moore managing owner).
14.1.1920: Sold to John Victor Breach (22/64), George F. Spashett (21/64) & Ernest Edward Soloman (21/64), Lowestoft (John Victor Breach, managing owner).
24.1.1920: Buckie registry closed.
12(20).1.1920: Registered at Lowestoft (LT740).
13.2.1922: Sold to John Victor Breach (32/64) & G. F. Spashett (32/64), Lowestoft.
25.1.1923: Registered at Lowestoft as GERVAIS RENTOUL (LT740) (BOT Minute 1656/1922 dated 13.1.1923).
25.4.1925: Sold to Explorator Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft (John Victor Breach, manager).
8.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol drifter (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
28.5.1940: At Dunkirk embarked troops. At Dover 5.00pm landed 57 soldiers.
29.5.1940: Returned to Dunkirk embarked troops.
30.5.1940: At Dover 8.45pm. landed 130 troops. Employed as a flare burning drifter.
1941: Based Dover as an armed patrol drifter (Ty/Sk. W. C. Barnaby RNR).
31.5.1940: Involved with patrol drifter EILEEN EMMA (LT342) in a collision with destroyer HMS SCIMITAR (P.No.H21); both drifters returned to Dover with damage.
9.1941: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1945: R. H. Self appointed manager.
22.6.1945: Sold to The Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood).
5.1946: Returned to owner. Laid up.
29.6.1949: Sold to Margaret Sellons, Fleetwood (managing owner). Not employed as a fishing vessel.
12.10.1949: Sold to Frederick William Braithwaite, Grange-over-Sands (managing owner). Not employed as a fishing vessel.
1952: Sold Lacmots Ltd, Glasson Dock for breaking up.
1952: Lowestoft registry closed.

(Named after Gervais Rentoul MP for Lowestoft in 1924)

Changelog
01/08/2011: Page published. 5 updates since then.
07/11/2020: Updated history.

S.D/T. Twinkling Star KY347

Technical

Official Number: 140845
Yard Number: 1
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 95
Net Tonnage: 40
Length: 86.2 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Pollit & Wigzell Ltd, Sowerby Bridge
Boiler: Clayton, Son & Co Ltd, Hunslett
Built: Brown’s Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co Ltd, Hull

History

1919: Launched by Brown’s Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co Ltd, Hull (Yd.No.1) (“Admiralty drifter”) for The Admiralty as CHIMERA (Ad.No.4146).
16.7.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel.
21.9.1920: Transferred to The Fishery Board for Scotland, Edinburgh for disposal.
1920: Sold to J. R. Mitchell, Peterhead. Registered at Peterhead as J. R. MITCHELL (PD443).
1920: Sold to Andrew Buchan Jnr, Peterhead & others (Andrew Buchan Jnr, managing owner). Registered at Peterhead as TWINKLING STAR (PD443).
1932: Sold to John Muir (Keay), Cellardyke & others (John T. Graham, Anstruther, manager). Peterhead registry closed. Registered at Kirkcaldy (KY347).
8.10.1937: In Yarmouth harbour in collision with steam drifter RENASCENT (LT288) and sustained damage.
1938: Sold to W. Wilson, North Shields & others.
12.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service on harbour defence patrol (Hire rate £32.0.0d/month).
1.1942: Employed on Examination service (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
1945: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (B. A. Parkes, manager).
30.6.1945: Returned to owner (David F. Cartwright MBE MC, Gorleston, manager).
1946: Sold to The Adam Steam Steam Fishing Co Ltd, London (David F. Cartwright MBE MC, Gorleston, manager).
3.1949: Sold to Merchants (Milford Haven) Ltd, Milford Haven (Frederick Walter Goffin, Hakin, manager).
8.3.1949 – 27.5.1955: Seasonal white fish trawling from Milford Haven.
1955: Laid up at Milford.
5.1956: Kirkcaldy registry closed.
10.5.1956: Registered at Milford as MERCHANT VENTURER (M49).
19.4.1959: Last landing at Milford. Laid up.
1.1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to John Cashmore Ltd, Newport, Monmouthshire for breaking up.
17.1.1960: Sailed Milford for Newport (Sk. Tom Bartlett).
23.2.1960: Milford registry closed.

(Seasonal at Milford as TWINKLING STAR – 8 Mar – 4 Nov 1949; 14 Mar – 4 Oct 1950; 8 Mar – 4 Jul 1951; 10 Mar – 26 Aug 1952; 22 Mar – 7 Dec 1953; 19 Mar – 10 Oct 1954; 6 Mar – 27 May 1955.
As MERCHANT VENTURER: 22 Jun 1956 – 19 Apr 1959

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T. Twinkling Star KY347

S.D/T. Twinkling Star KY347
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

Changelog

21/06/2011: Page published. 5 updates since then.
31/12/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.