Category Archives: Lost Vessels

Vessels that have been lost

S.T. Clyro M245

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3528
Official Number: 143849
Yard Number: 707
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 ft
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Hebburn

History

9.5.1917: Laid down.
20.7.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.707) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as THOMAS TWINEY (Ad.No.3528).
7.9.1917: Completed as a minesweeper (1-12pdr and W/T).
19.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as THOMAS TWINEY O.N.143849.
1919: Allocated to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries and engaged in commercial trawling.
1920: Allocated to the National Fishery Scheme for the setting up of the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
19.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO332).
3.1920: At HM Dockyard, Pembroke completed fitting out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler at Milford.
13.8.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
12.1921: Sold to David Pettit, Hakin.
1.1922: Scheme abandoned, the necessary working capital of £100,000 having not been subscribed.
2.1.1922: London registry closed.
4.1.1922: Registered at Milford (M245). David Pettit designated managing owner.
6.1.1922: Registered at Milford as CLYRO (M245).
8.1.1922: Landed at Milford.
1922: Transferred to D. Pettit Ltd, Milford Haven. David Pettit designated manager.
30.9.1932: Connected to steam trawler CAPSTONE (M423) disabled with damaged propeller. Delivered Milford.
7.11.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
8.1935: Dock strike at Fleetwood involving coaling labour.
11.8.1935: Sailed Fleetwood for Vandyke (Inishtrahull) grounds via Ayr to coal (Sk. A. Stean); thirteen crew all told.
13.8.1935: Sailed Ayr for fishing grounds.
14.8.1935: Stranded on Powder House Rock, Culzean Bay. Badly holed and making water, eight crew members abandoned to local fishing boat and Girvan lifeboat stood by from 00.30 am to 3.25 pm. Skipper and four crew members manned pumps but had to abandon when water level reached boiler room plates. Total Loss.
21.10.1935: Milford registry closed “Abandoned as a total loss”.

(Thomas Twiney, Quartermaster (prest), age 29, b. Carmarthen, Wales – VICTORY (SB646))

Note: Wreck subsequently thought to have been used as a target for a gunnery range and destroyed.

Changelog
13/05/2012: Page published. 6 updates since then.
26/01/2017: Information updated.
23/12/2019: Information updated.

S.T. Coronet GY241

Additional information courtesy of Birgir Þórisson and David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 125053
Yard Number: 339
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 288
Net Tonnage: 144
Length: 130.9 ft
Breadth: 22.5 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smiths Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

27.2.1907: Launched by Smiths Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.339) for Crown Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as CORONET.
6.4.1907: Registered at Grimsby (GY241).
4.1907: Completed. George Edward James Moody designated manager. Fishing from Fleetwood (still 1913).
14.1.1911: When berthing ran into Jubilee Quay wall causing considerable damage to stem and shell plating forward.
4.2.1912: Arrived Fleetwood with damage to stern and shell plating after stranding on rocks off Mull of Galloway.
6.1914: Sold to L. & E. Leporc, Fécamp.
29.6.1914: Grimsby registry closed.
6.1914: Registered at Fécamp as EDMOND-RENÉ (F.247).
2.1915: Requisitioned for war service with Marine Francaise as a minesweeper. Based Port Vendres with 4th Patrol Squadron. Later based Morocco.
8.1.1918: Attacked a submarine.
2.1919: Returned to owner.
1930: Sold to Emmanuel Libert, Boulogne-sur-Mer. Registered at Boulogne (B.1433). Charpin, Delpierre & Cie, designated managers.
1933: Sold to Louis Evrard-Pourre, Boulogne-sur-Mer.
1940: Requisitioned for war service in the Marine Francaise.
1942: Mined.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Edmond-René F247

S.T. Edmond-René F247
Picture courtesy of The Birgir Þórisson Collection

Changelog
13/05/2012: Page published. 4 updates since then.
04/02/2016: Minor information update.
04/02/2020: Information updated.
05/01/2020: Image added.
06/01/2020: Corrected information.

S.T. Charles Boyes LO334

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3593
Official Number: 143886
Yard Number: 388
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 126
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley

History

14.2.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.388) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as CHARLES BOYES (Ad.No.3593).
15.6.1918: Completed (1-12pdr, 1-3.5” A/S Howitzer, Hydrophone and W/T).
26.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as CHARLES BOYES O.N.143886).
19.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO334).
19.2.1920: Sold to Elspeth, Lady Beardmore, c/o William Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Charles Curzon, Milford Haven designated manager)
8.1.1924: Inbound from fishing grounds, collided with and sank Wexford registered schooner TEMPEST (59tons/1857) Newport for Clonakilty, coal, which was sheltering and anchored E side of dock channel.
1932: Owner re-styled Lady Invernairn c/o William Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Charles Curzon, Milford Haven, manager.
6.1932: Transferred to Hull.
3.1.1934: Outward for fishing grounds in dense fog collided with steam trawler KING EMPEROR (H202) at anchor in Hull Roads. Returned to dock with bow damage.
1935: Insured value £5,000.
6.8.1936: Sold to Mrs Annie I. Fraser, Aberdeen (John McD. Fraser, manager).
22.8.1936: London registry closed.
25.8.1936: Registered at Aberdeen (A418).
6.1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
8.6.1938: Aberdeen registry closed.
15.6.1938: Registered at Hull (H526).
1938: Transferred to Hull.
20.7.1939: At 7.50 am. relayed message from steam trawler COURTIER (GY115) to Cullercoates Wireless Station “Want immediate assistance, position 65 miles north of Humber.” (COURTIER was leaking and was taken in tow by tug HENDON (241grt/1924) and delivered Tyne morning of 21 July.)
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (Hire rate £87.0.0d/month).
25.5.1940: Operating from Gt Yarmouth (Temp. Sk. G. Reynolds RNR). Mined in North Sea; two officers and thirteen crew missing presumed killed*, three saved, two by Caister Lifeboat Charles Burton (Cox. Joseph Woodhouse).

(Charles Boyes, AB, age 25, b. Hambledon, Hampshire – VICTORY (SB772))

(MPK – Ty/Sk. William Gregson; Ty/Sk. George Reynolds; Henry G. King, 2nd Hand; John Stewart, A /Ch.Engineman; William Grant, Engineman; Alexander Mackay, Ldg Seaman; Albert G. Broom, Norman Morrison, William J. Thomas, seamen; Richard Adamson, seaman/cook, Charles McG. Hogg, O/S; Harry C. Lowry, Joseph B. Stocks, James H. G. Tickner, stokers; John E. Potter, steward

Changelog
13/05/2012: Page published. 5 updates since then.
10/06/2016: Information updated.
22/11/2019: Updated information.

S.T. Cheriton M118

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3531
Official: Number: 144537
Yard Number: 710
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Armament 1 x 12pdr

History

25.5.1917: Laid down.
3.9.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.710) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as THOMAS ROBINS (Ad.No.3531).
28.9.1917: Completed (1 – 12pdr and W/T).
4.5.1920: Sold to David Pettit, Hakin at auction at Milford Haven. David Pettit designated managing owner.
25.5.1920: Registered at London (LO360).
31.6.1920: Registered at London as CHERITON (LO360).
6.7.1920: London registry closed.
26.7.1920: First landing at Milford.
27.7.1920: Registered at Milford (M118).
2.11.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys appointed manager.
27.1.1936: Arrived Fleetwood with trawler ESCALLONIA (GY631) in tow having been picked up off Rockall disabled with condenser cover fractured.
4.1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull.
13.4.1938: Milford registry closed.
16.4.1938: Registered at Hull (H519).
9.11.1938: Sailed Hull for Northern Isles grounds (Sk. Frank Stephen Gleeson).
18.11.1938: Fishing to the north-eastward of Sule Skerry at about 4.00pm. hove to on account of bad weather.
19.11.1938: At about 7.00am. her position was fixed by bearing taken by direction-finder and echometer as being 60.40N 4.30 W and shortly afterwards proceeded towards Westray Firth with a view to continuing fishing to the eastward of the Orkneys. There was a fresh gale from the WSW and a very heavy sea running. At noon land was sighted and at about 1.10pm. Noup Head was identified and came abeam at about 2.10pm.; at no time was any bearings taken although soundings were taken by echometer. Judging to be about 6 miles off Noup Head and without referring to charts to ascertain what had been his leeway or course made good, the skipper altered course to S.S.E. magnetic which course and full speed were held through Westray Firth. After passing Noup Head no attempt was made to notice whether it remained open of Inga Ness which, as stated in the sailing directions, would lead clear of Skea Skerries. At about 3.15pm. without any previous warning, stranded on the SW extremity of Skea Skerries. Coast watchers at Westray saw the vessel aground and contacted the coastguard at Kirkwall, Stromness lifeboat was launched and Wick Radio gave the vessel‘s position. American steamer SCANMAIL (5152grt/1919) and Grimsby trawler INDIAN STAR (463grt/1936) (GY324) responded. Steam drifter BETTY BRODIE (96grt/1918) (BCK400) on Fishery Protection duty, left Kirkwall with lifesaving equipment and Fishery cruiser FREYA (280grt/1904) left Fara Sound. At about 4.00pm. vessel was washed afloat with ingress of water in the engine room. At 4.45pm. Wick Radio received a message saying that vessel was filling with water and heeling over and the position was dangerous. At about 6.00pm. skipper radioed that vessel was drifting full of water, fires were drawn and requested the lifeboat. Meanwhile islanders in their boat had come alongside and with very little steam vessel was taken into Rousay Sound and beached at Ham Bay; crew taken off by local boat.
26.11.1938: Ten crew arrived Aberdeen aboard the Northern Isles steamer St. FERGUS (390g/1913).
27.11.1938: Salved and arrived Aberdeen in tow of Leith salvage tug BULLGER (270g/1907).
28.11.1938: Surveyed but beyond economical repair; declared CTL and sold for breaking up.
10.2.1939: Hull registry closed.
3.3.1939: At BOT Formal Investigation (No. S.397) held at Hull, the Court found that the stranding and constructive total loss was due to faulty navigation and over-confidence in local knowledge and was caused by the wrongful act and default of her skipper, Frank Gleeson. His ticket was suspended for three months.

Thomas Lowton Robins, Master’s Mate (Midshipman), age 18, b. Portsmouth, Hampshire – VICTORY (SB696))
Click to enlarge image

S.T. Cheriton H519

S.T. Cheriton H519
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
13/05/2012: Page published. 11 updates since then.
04/10/2015: Information updated.
24/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
4/11/2019: Updated information.

S.D/T. Rowan Tree BF 199 (Seasonal)

Technical

Official Number: 127399
Yard Number: 168
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 91
Net Tonnage: 39
Length: 87.5 ft
Breadth: 19.2 ft
Depth: 9.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Cooper & Grieg Ltd, Dundee
Built: J. & G. Forbes, Sandhaven
Wooden built

History

1918: Purchased by The Admiralty on the stocks.
1918: Launched by J. & G. Forbes, Sandhaven (Yd.No.168) (“non-standard Admiralty drifter”) for The Admiralty as FLAT CALM.
3.6.1918: Completed as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.3890).
1930: De-commissioned and offered for sale.
3.1930: Sold to Alexander West, Gardenstown & others (Alexander West managing owner).
14.4.1930: Registered at Banff as ROWAN TREE (BF199).
11.2.1938: White fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent). Landed 24 boxes grossed £37.
24.4.1938: Last landing at Fleetwood, 145 boxes grossed £117.
1939: Sold to Mrs E. West, Gardenstown & others.
25.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (Hire rate £26.0.0d/month).
21.11.1941: Sailed Lowestoft at 8.15 am and returning to port at about 3.00 pm struck shoulder of recently formed sand bank at the entrance. Lowestoft lifeboat MICHAEL STEPHEN (Cox Albert Spurgeon) launched at 3.30 approached and connected but line parted. Capsized when local tug had line connected, crew scrambling on to upturned hull. Cox Spurgeon took the MICHAEL STEPHEN alongside twice and took off all fifteen crew. Landed safely at Lowestoft.
12.1941: Banff registry closed declared a total loss.

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T. Rowan Tree BF199

S.D/T. Rowan Tree BF199
Picture from the Internet

Changelog

04/05/2012: Page published. 6 updates since then.
08/12/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.