Category Archives: Lost Vessels

Vessels that have been lost

S.T. Indian Empire FD407

Technical

Official Number: 124787
Yard Number: 404
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 289
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 135.0 ft
Breadth: 22.5 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Engine: 520ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons, Selby

History

25.6.1907: Launched by Cochrane & Sons, Selby (Yd. No.404) for Cargill Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as INDIAN EMPIRE.
18.9.1907: Registered at Hull (H957).
30.9.1907: Completed (Edward B. Cargill, manager).
1.1911: With other Hull trawlers icebound off W coast of Iceland; freed and returned home.
12.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.54” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.798).
1915: Based Queenstown.
7.5.1915: Passenger liner LUSITANIA (30,396grt/1907) on passage New York – Liverpool with 1,959 passengers. At about 2.00 pm. when about 15 miles off Old Head of Kinsale torpedoed by U.boat (U21); sank in 18 minutes in position 51.24N 08.31W. Left Queenstown and arrived on scene just after 3.00 pm. picked up about 100 survivors and assisted others in boats. Landed at Queenstown.
1916: Arthur Cargill appointed manager.
8.1918: Sold to Joseph Robert Elijah Mordaunt, Fred William Miles, Thomas Charles Miles, Harry Newman, Grimsby & George Arthur Newman, Cleethorpes (joint owners).
14.8.1918: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London & Joint Stock Bank Ltd, London (A).
2.9.1918: Joseph Robert Elijah Mordaunt appointed manager.
30.8.1918: Hull registry closed.
2.9.1918: Registered at Grimsby (GY1191).
14.10.1918: Mortgage (A) discharged.
14.10.1918: Sold to Morrice Wilkins (64/64), Manchester. Morrice Wilkins appointed managing owner.
14.10.1918: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London & Joint Stock Bank Ltd, London (B).
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
2.5.1920: Grimsby registry closed.
4.5.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (FD407).
4.5.1920: Mortgage (B) discharged.
4.5.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial and Union Bank of England Ltd, London (C).
1.11.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Taylor & Tomlinson Ltd, Fleetwood (D).
20.10.1922: Registered at Fleetwood as ALLENTA (FD407).
1923: Sold to Soc. Sirius Ltda, Lisbon, Portugal.
26.10.1923: Fleetwood registry closed.
10.1923: Registered at Lisbon as SIRIUS 2.
1928: Sold to Soc.de Pesca a Vapor Invencivel Ltda. Lisbon. Registered at Lisbon as ALBERTOS 2.
2.1.1945: Foundered off Cape St. Vincent following collision with US destroyer. Crew picked up and landed at Gibraltar. Lisbon registry closed.

Changelog
17/05/2012: Page published. 6 updates since then.
26/01/2021: Updated History.

S.T. Aurea FD300

Additional information courtesy of Granton Trawlers
Technical

Official Number: 141946
Yard Number: 279
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 270
Net Tonnage: 105
Length: 128.8 ft
Breadth: 23.0 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Dundee Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Dundee
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow

History

1917: Launched by Dundee Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Dundee (Yd.No.279) for the The Brooklyn Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood as AUREA.
25.9.1917: Registered at Fleetwood (FD300). Thomas Cardwell, designated manager.
9.1917: Completed. Requisitioned from the builders for war service and fitted out for anti submarine duties (1-12pdr, 1-3.5” A/S Howitzer and Hydrophone) (Ad.No.3066). Based Aegean Sea.
12.3.1919: Waiting instructions whether required for Post-War Service (SS).
1920: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
22.01.1922: Arrived Killybegs, Co. Donegal with steam trawler ASHLYN (FD1) picked up disabled whilst fishing the Donegal Bay grounds.
11.1928: Fishing the St. Kilda grounds (Sk. Ashton). In heavy weather, whilst the crew was preparing the gear, the skipper saw a huge wave approaching and shouted from the wheelhouse to the men below, ‘Look out lads, hang on”. The wave struck the ship which lurched and deckhand Robert Simms (50) who was running aft for shelter was struck by the wave and carried overboard. In spite of the sea conditions Sk. Ashton turned the trawler in the direction of Simms, who twice shouted for help and with the aid of a boat hook a hold on Simms was obtained. The skipper clambered down the side and with assistance pulled the man back on deck. The manoeuvre had taken about seven minutes and immediately artificial respiration was commenced and continued in relays for three hours but the efforts failed.
27.11.1928: At Fleetwood and inquest was held into the death of Robert Simms and a verdict of accidental death was recorded.
1934: Sold to T. L. Devlin & Sons, Granton.
20.4.1934: Fleetwood registry closed.
4.1934: Registered at Granton as COMPAGNUS (GN2). Thomas L. Devlin designated manager.
29.12.1934: Mate, Gilbert Menzies, badly injured when blocking up. Taken to Leith Hospital.
13.12.1935: About 140 miles off Aberdeen connected to trawler NAPIER (A244), disabled with engine problems and delivered Aberdeen.
1.11.1938: Sailed Granton for the fishing grounds. Called at Aberdeen about midnight and the skipper reported one of crew missing. The skipper was under the impression that he had left Granton with a full crew but when inquiries were made at Granton it was discovered that the “missing” man had gone ashore unknown to the skipper just before sailing.
17.12.1939: Foundered in the North Sea, 150 miles E by N of May Island, Firth of Forth after being bombed and damaged by German air attack; one deckhand, James Swanney killed by machine gun fire, Ch Eng Joseph Sim and Deckhand Arthur Orr both injured. Survivors taken onboard steam trawler COLLEAGUE (GN53).
12.1939: Granton registry closed.
25.05.1940: The Scotsman; Deck-hand James Swanney (deceased), trawler COMPAGNUS (Thomas L. Devlin & Sons, Edinburgh) is commended for gallantry. During an enemy aircraft, attack upon the trawler, Swanney went on deck to try to cut away the fishing gear and was killed by machine-gun fire. He did his best to save his shipmates without thinking of his safety.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Aurea FD300

S.T. Aurea FD300
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
17/05/2012: Page published. 4 updates since then.
24/06/2015: Picture added.
26/09/2016: Minor correction made.
05/03/2017: Information added.
22/07/2019: Updated information.

S.T. Crater FD330

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow & Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 106669
Yard Number: 117
Completed: 1896
Gross Tonnage: 132.23
Net Tonnage: 44.70 (54.19)
Length: 99.2 ft
Breadth: 20.0 ft
Depth: 10.3 ft
Engine: 250ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Muir & Houston Ltd, Glasgow
Built: Mackie & Thomson, Govan

History

19.9.1896: Launched by Mackie & Thomson, Govan (Yd. No.117) for The Grimsby & North Sea Steam Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as CRATER.
10.1896: Completed.
27.10.1896: Registered at Grimsby (GY111).
27.10.1896: John Richardson Mackrill designated manager.
6.10.1897: Arrived Grimsby in tow of steam trawler ARIZONA (GY580), picked up in North Sea some 80 miles off Spurn, disabled by engine failure. 22.10.1909: At Grimsby, trimmer Fred Barker while carrying a 1cwt drum of carbide, fell on deck and drum landed on his hand, severing one finger and crushing two others.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 54.19 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
14.11.1916: Sold to Ernest Taylor (64/64), Thornton.
14.11.1916: Ernest Taylor, Thornton designated manager.
28.11.1916: Sold to Noah Ashworth, Fleetwood & Ernest Taylor, Thornton (64/64) joint owners).
30.12.1916: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
23.1.1917: At Bangor Magistrates Court, Sk. Edward Sylvester was charged with trawling within the three mile limit on 29th December 1916 off Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey. In his absence, Sylvester was fined £20 with costs, plus advocates fee and witness costs amounting to £22.3.10d.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
18.10.1918: At Fleetwood Magistrates Court, William Marland, third hand pleaded guilty to disobeying lawful commands. Defendant had signed articles on 17th September last. The vessel was due to sail on 17th October at 12.30 pm. but owing to the weather the sailing was put back to the next tide. Defendant who had been onboard at 10.45 that forenoon was informed of altered time of sailing but at 11.00 pm with all the crew onboard with the exception of the defendant, the entire convoy was held up until a substitute was found. The defendant was found at home and he stated that when they came in from sea he refused to sail again until a proper deckhand and spare hand were shipped, as he had to do the work of others that trip. He had given the company plenty of time to get another third hand shipped in his place. Marland had a clean record and the company was prepared to take him back if the Magistrates considered a fine was appropriate; fined 40s and advocates fee.
30.1.1919: At Fleetwood Magistrates Court, William Cloney was charged with disobeying a lawful command whist engaged to serve as cook. The ship was due to sail at 8.30 am. on 29th January and the defendant failed to join resulting in a delay until the next tide. Defendant pleaded not guilty saying he had missed his train at Preston, however he had several convictions for similar offences and had been fined by the court in December last; the fine had not been paid and the firm would have nothing more to do with him; sent to prison for 14 days with hard labour.
1919: Released.
18.7.1919: Grimsby registry closed.
20.7.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD330).
1923: Sold to Joseph Dixon Irvin, Thomas Thorburn Irvine and Sk. James Wood Anderson, North Shields. Joseph Dixon Irvin designated manager.
28.11.1923: Fleetwood registry closed.
29.11.1923: Registered at North Shields (SN135).
2.2.1926: Whilst fishing, some 6.5 miles east of Souter Lighthouse, struck a submerged object and making water. Pumps unable to cope with ingress of water, crew of nine including skipper Albert Annon, abandoned in boat and trawler foundered as they pulled clear. Boat picked up by steam drifter SETON CASTLE (GN65) (Sk. Andrew Hughes) and towed into North Shields.
15.6.1926: North Shields registry closed “ Total Loss”.

NOTE : she was returning to Tyneside after a fishing trip when she struck an unidentified submerged object, believed to be wreckage, and sank some 6.5 miles to the east of Souter lighthouse.
The wreck, which has yet to be positively identified, lies on hard sand and shale in a spoil ground area at a depth of 54m, the lowest astronomical depth. The wreck is intact except for damage to the quarter deck and forecastle structures which have collapsed.

Changelog
17/05/2012: Page published. 7 updates since then.
02/02/2020: Updated information.
03/01/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Bega FD233

Technical

Official Number: 132419
Yard Number: 398
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 318
Net Tonnage: 131
Length: 130.7 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 13.3 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: 69hp T.3-cyl by J. Abernethy & Co, Aberdeen

History

17.12.1913: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.398) for The New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, Fleetwood as BEGA.
1.1914: Completed (Ernest Tomlinson, manager).
6.2.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD233).
19.1.1914: Sailed Aberdeen for fishing grounds; to land at Fleetwood.
14.11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.923).
1917: Joseph A. Taylor appointed manager.
18.6.1917: Torpedoed by U-boat (U58) 40 miles north of Muckle Flugga (61.36N 00.35W). Nine crew lost*.
29.1.1919: Fleetwood registry closed.

(*Lost – Thomas Wright, 2nd Hand; Laurence Thomson & Finlay Macleod, Seamen; Alfred Williamson & Harry Wittup, Deckhands; Patrick Cosello & George R. Harvey, Trimmers).

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Bega FD233

S.T. Bega FD233
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
17/05/2012: Page published. 4 updates since then.
16/08/2019: Information updated.
30/09/2020: Added an image.

S.T. Arlita FD188

Technical

Official Number: 138286
Yard Number: 647
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 326
Net Tonnage: 134
Length: 138.7 ft
Breadth: 23.7 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Cochrane & Son Ltd, Selby
Engine: 600ihp T.3-cyl by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

11.10.1916: Launched by Cochrane & Son Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.647) (Prototype “Mersey” class vessel) for Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as LORD MERSEY.
15.2.1916: Registered at Hull (H427).
2.1916: Completed.
4.1916: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.1991). Based Kirkwall.
27.11.1917: At Aberdeen fitted with hydrophones.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
27.4.1928: Sold to Malcolm S. McFarlane, London & John A. Spilman, Hull.
13.7.1928: Sold to Alan Spilman Ltd, London (A. Spilman, Hull, manager).
29.8.1928: Registered at Hull as CASTLETHORPE (H427).
19.5.1933: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (Geoffrey E. Marr, Cleveleys, manager) for £4100.
14.6.1933: Hull registry closed.
16.6.1933: Registered at Fleetwood (FD188).
14.12.1933: Registered at Fleetwood as ARLITA (FD188) (BoT Minute M/RG.1378).
20.8.1934: Transferred to Hull, crewed and operated by The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull on the company acquisition (Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Cleveleys, manager).
11.6.1935: Transferred to Fleetwood.
9.1939: On a trip to St. Kilda grounds (Sk. Ernest Christie); twelve crew.
18. 9.1939: At 6.48pm. when trawling 22 miles WNW of St. Kilda, stopped by U-boat (U.35) in position 58.09N 09.17W. Advised to follow the submarine in the direction of smoke from two other trawlers. Seized along with trawlers LORD MINTO (FD51) and NANCY HAGUE (FD133). As boats not considered safe for crew, transferred along with crew of LORD MINTO to NANCY HAGUE. Sunk by gunfire in position 57.51N 09.28W along with LORD MINTO. NANCY HAGUE returned to Fleetwood.
27.9.1939: Fleetwood registry closed.

(Crew (all Fleetwood unless stated) – Sk. Ernest Christie; James Mayson, Mate; W. Sloane, Thornton, Bosun; Peter Croft, Ch.Eng; A. Nyquist, 2nd Eng; Thomas Christy; J. Astles; H. Ramshaw, Thornton; W. Lee, deckhands; C. Bird, Hoylake, half deckhand; F. Woolfenden & H. Dearden, firemen; L. Cashmere, cook.)

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Arlita FD188

S.T. Arlita FD188
Picture from the Internet

Unterseeboote 35

Unterseeboote 35
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
17/05/2012: Page published. 5 updates since then.
18/06/2016: Picture added.
09/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
03/11/2019: Updated information and added an image.