Category Archives: Lost Vessels

Vessels that have been lost

S.T. Hondo H565

Technical

Official Number: 132132
Yard Number: 520
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 229
Net Tonnage: 118
Length: 119.2 ft
Breadth: 22 ft
Depth: 11.5 ft
Built: Cochrane & Son Ltd, Selby
Engine: 66HP T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

22.2.1912: Launched by Cochrane & Sons, Selby (Yd.No.520) for Henry L. Taylor Ltd, Grimsby (managing owner) as HONDO.
29.4.1912: Registered at Grimsby (GY701).
5.1912: Completed.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as an armed trawler (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.16).
1919: Returned.
10.1922: Sold to Diamonds Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (H. L. Taylor) (Henry G. Hopwood, manager).
1935: New boiler fitted (made 1934).
1940: Directed to Fleetwood under wartime control (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood, managers).
9.1941: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
9.3.1943: Dutch motor trawler ALIDA (SCH6) sailed Fleetwood for Irish Sea grounds.
20.3.1943: Homeward in dense fog, at 1030 am. to seaward of Morecambe Bay Light Vessel, struck ALIDA on starboard side 12ft in front of winch. Despite rigging tarpaulin ingress of water too great and connected for tow to Fleetwood. At 1.30 pm. ALIDA foundered and crew taken onboard, landing at Fleetwood at 5.45 pm. Owners admitted liability for collision.
1943: Working Icelandic grounds.
11.1943: Sold to Charleson-Smith Trawlers Ltd, Hull.
9.11.1943: Grimsby registry closed.
10.11.1943: Registered at Hull (H565). To continue fishing out of Fleetwood (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood, managing agents).
7.5.1943: Typical landing from Iceland grounds. 856 kits – hake-8, cod/codling-800, haddock-122, plaice-21, flats-27.
16.11.1943: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. John Nicholson); thirteen crew.
24.11.1943: Last contact after sighting off Barra Head.
2.12.1943: Body of Sk. Nicholson recovered and buried at Castlebay, Barra.
10.12.1943: Body of Joseph Croft recovered and buried at Fleetwood.
31.12.1943: Posted missing, believed lost by stress of weather off Barra Head; 14 crew lost*. Later body of Norman Leach, Mate recovered and buried also body of Frederick Mearns, deckhand. Believed buried at Coileg, Eriskay.
1944: Hull registry closed.

* Lost – Sk. John Nicholson (43); Norman Leach (39), Mate; Norman Stirzacker, Bosun; Herbert H. Scuffell, Ch.Eng; Sidney Beswick, 2nd Eng; Frederick Mearns (38): Joseph Croft (19); William Cameron; W. Harrison; S. Olsen & J. Braunberch, deckhands; Patrick Wilson (16), deckie learner; James Hill (60), fireman; Bertie Lees (43), cook.

Joseph Croft was 19 years old and was buried at Fleetwood after his body was recovered from the Scottish coast. The mate had sailed after leaving a sick bed with a bout of flu as he hadn’t wished to let his skipper down.

Patrick Wilson, at 16 years old, was the youngest person aboard.

James Hill was a survivor of other wrecks having been sunk three times. He was the only survivor of the Fleetwood vessel OONA HALL when she was run down off the Calf of Mann by a French armed merchant cruiser.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Hondo H565

S.T. Hondo H565

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
14/01/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Yarmouth FD334

Additional information courtesy of Peter Bell and Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 117737
Yard Number: 357
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 235
Net Tonnage: 91
Length: 120.4 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge

History

8.8.1907: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.357) for The Western Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Bristol as YARMOUTH.
9.1907: Completed.
7.9.1907: Registered at Bristol (BL9). Sydney M. Price, Milford designated manager.
27.3.1911: Returned to Milford from a trip with damaged sustained in westerly gales during the previous week (Sk. J. W. Rumbold).
1.8.1914: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.128).
11.8.1914: Arrived Devonport for Special Trawler Reserve; when stored to sail for Lowestoft. Ad.No. cancelled.
13.11.1914: At Lowestoft as Ad.No.281, parent ship HALCYON.
1.1915: Arrived Devonport to fit out for Mediterranean as a minesweeper((1-3pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.281).
27.1.1915: Ordered to sail from Devonport to Mediterranean.
2.1915: Renamed YARMOUTH II.
1915: Dardanelles Campaign.
20.12.1915: Dardanelles (Gallipoli) evacuation completed. Redeployed.
4.1919: Returned to owner at Milford and reverted to YARMOUTH (BL9).
7.1919: Sold to The Saxon Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood
7.1919: Bristol registry closed.
25.7.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD334). Joseph H. Taylor designated manager.
1924: William W. Brierley designated manager.
12.3.1929: On morning tide outward for fishing grounds ran into LILY MELLING (FD222) aground on west side of Wyre channel. Grounded on groyne, stripping propeller. Refloated evening tide with tug assistance.
24.1.1934: Arrived Oban leaking badly after striking sunken rock at about 1.30 am off Gunna Sound, Tiree Passage. Beached to check.
25.1.1934: Revealed keel badly twisted, garboard strake sprung. Temporary repair to enable single voyage to Fleetwood for permanent repair.
7.9.1938: On Co. Donegal grounds (Sk. Ronald Read) had rudder damaged in heavy seas. Hove to and in a heavy swell crew attempted to rig jury rudder from the boat but with increasing movement had to return onboard before task was completed. Skipper was lowered on a bosun’s chair to complete the work, but two sharks were observed and he was in danger of being bitten. Brought back onboard, he was re-lowered at intervals to complete the job.
7.9.1938: Arrived safely at Fleetwood.
11.2.1939: Homeward from the fishing grounds in a severe westerly gale, when off Dubh Attach Light, propeller shaft broke. Steam trawler SARBA (FD177), also homeward, responded to signal of distress and in very rough weather connected using chain cable and set course for home. On passage the chain cable parted twice, before the heavier cable from SARBA was transferred and secured.
13.2.1939: Delivered Fleetwood.
17.2.1939: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
27.4.1943: Typical wartime landing – 318 kits – hake-150, cod/codling-7, whiting-2, flats-6, ling/coley-128, roker-3, dogs-22.
10.1948: Sold to Chantiers & Armement Seghers, Ostend. Ostend.
29.10.1948: Fleetwood registry closed.
1949: Sold to Charles & Victor Seghers, Ostend.
1949: Rebuilt by Chantiers & Armement Seghers, Ostend. Re-engined with 450bhp 8 cyl Uniporn oil engine by Porn & Dunwoody Ltd, London.
1949: Remeasured after conversion 242grt 97n.
10.10.1949: Registered at Ostend (O336).
4.12.1950: Homeward from an Icelandic trip (Sk.Arthur Verbeist), in heavy snow showers, stranded on Scroby Sands 3 – 4 miles off Gt. Yarmouth. Attended by Gorleston lifeboat and tug RICHARD LEE BARBER (122grt/1940).
5.12.1950: At high water 5.00 a.m. failed to refloat, crew taken off by Gorleston lifeboat. Further attempts to refloat, with tugs RICHARD LEE BARBER and GEORGE JEWSON (57grt/1908) in attendance, failed, despite having lightened her by removing the catch of 6,000st of fish, water and fuel.
1951: Attempts to refloat by the Hull tug KROOMAN (230grt/1938) also failed.
1951: Ostend registry closed.
1.1953: Engulfed by the sands in the “Great Storm”.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Yarmouth FD334

S.T. Yarmouth FD334
Picture courtesy of the Barry Banham Photo Collection

S.T. Yarmouth FD334 in wartime

S.T. Yarmouth FD334 in wartime
Picture courtesy of the Barry Banham Photo Collection

S.T. Yarmouth FD334 stranded on Scroby Sands

M.T. Yarmouth O336. Picture courtesy of the Barry Banham Photo Collection.

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
14/09/2105: Information updated.
23/11/2017: Information updated and removed FMHT watermarks from images.
17/08/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Exmouth FD336

Technical

Official Number: 127096
Yard Number: 514
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 236
Net Tonnage: 92
Length: 120 ft
Breadth: 21.1 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd Selby
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

5.3.1912: Launched by Cochrane & Sons, Selby (Yd.No.514) for The Western Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven as EXMOUTH.
20.4.1912: Registered at Bristol (BL16). Sydney M. Price designated manager.
25.4.1912: Completed.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.146).
9.10.1914: Based HMS Vernon Portsmouth. Employed on minesweeping training (Lieut. G. K. Courtis RN).
2.1915: Renamed EXMOUTH II.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Milford Haven and reverted to Exmouth (BL16).
7.1919: Sold to Vulcan Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Joseph A. Taylor designated manager.
7.1919: Bristol registry closed.
26.7.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD336).
1.5.1925: Sold to Ora Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Magnus B. Wedum designated manager.
16.2.1930: Arrested by HMS LIFFEY trawling within the Isle of Man three mile limit.
14.3.1930: At the High Bailiff’s Court, Douglas, Sk. William Arthur Stanley was fined £50 with costs.
8.1.1933: Off Point of Ayre at about 3.45 am run into by Liverpool steamer MIRIAM THOMAS (430g/1920) sustaining damage to port quarter.
9.1.1933: Returned to Fleetwood.
6.6.1933: In the evening in thick fog 2 miles NW of the Point of Ayre, Isle of Man in collision with CEVIC (FD7) sustaining damage to stem and bow plating. Around midnight arrived Fleetwood.
16.4.1937: Off Belfast Lough involved in collision with Belfast steamer HELEN CRAIG (417grt/1891) on passage Belfast – Preston with generals.
17.4.1937: Company changed address in Fleetwood.
2.3.1938: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds between Inishtrahull and Dhu Artach Light (Sk. Ernest Edwards); eleven crew.
9.3.1938: Decided to change grounds and at 1.15 a.m. departed for fishing grounds in the neighbourhood of Otter Rock. In a heavy swell from the westward and strong westerly wind set course S.1/2 W. for Oversay Light. At 4.5 a.m. in thick swirling mist stranded at Smaull Point, west coast of Islay, about 9 miles north of Oversay (55.491/4N 6.271/2W) about 50 yds from shore. Attempted to refloat with engine and lowered boat but making water in engine room. Boat damaged and vessel listed with waves breaking over. Wreck seen from farmhouse window by local girl, Margaret MacFayden, who roused household and cycled four miles to Machrie to warn coastguards. Crew fired rocket line and assisted ashore by local men led by William MacEarchern; three crew lost*. Port Askaig lifeboat launched but on arrival vessel was abandoned and breaking up.
24.3.1938: Declared total loss. Fleetwood registry closed.
16.5.1938: At the BOT Formal Investigation (No.S.395) held at Fleetwood, the Judge concluded that the stranding and subsequent loss would appear to be attributable to the conduct of the Bosun, John Sumner, who lost his life; Sk. Ernest Edwards was found not to blame. The Assessors did not sign the report.
17.5.1938: It was the opinion of the Assessors that the Skipper failed to realise his responsibility for the safe navigation of the vessel and in so doing was responsible for the stranding. It was their opinion that his ticket should be suspended for 9 months.

* John Sumner, Bosun; Frank Walmsley, 2nd engineer (swept off the lifeline by heavy seas when line parted) and Henry Crisp, fireman (swept overboard from after part of vessel).)

Note
The Board of Trade awarded a binocular glass to Mr Wiiliam MacEarchern for leadership and courage displayed in connection with the rescue of the crew on 9 March 1938 and monetary awards to Mr Allan MacEarchern, Mr Donald MacLellan, Mr James Brown and Miss Margaret Macfayden.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Exmouth FD336

S.T. Exmouth FD336

S.T. Exmouth FD336

S.T. Exmouth FD336
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
05/06/2016: Information updated.
22/06/2016: Information updated.
11/08/2020: Updated history.
04/03/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Davara FD152

Note: First British trawler lost in WWII

Technical

Official Number: 132409
Yard Number: 517
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 291
Net Tonnage: 116
Length: 130.0 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.5 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

6.1.1912: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.517) for The Mount Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood as DAVARA.
6.3.1912: Registered at Fleetwood (FD152).
14.3.1912: Completed (George E. J. Moody, Grimsby, manager).
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.523). Based Larne.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
8.6.1930: In Wyre Channel, one of 23 trawlers inbound, when a few hundred yards from lock pit found channel blocked by trawlers NELLIE BRADDOCK (FD175) and ERNA (FD158) aground on Tiger’s Tail. Swept by tide and also took the ground. Refloated on next tide and entered Wyre Dock.
193?: W. M. Kelly appointed manager.
12.9.1939: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds (Sk. William Boyles).
13.9.1939: When in a position 21 miles NWby N of Tory Island, Co. Donegal, U-boat (U.27) closed and opened fire (at least 35 rounds); twelve crew escaped in damaged boat. Trawler sunk at 2.55 p.m. by gunfire and after five hours in boat constantly baling, crew picked up by the West Hartlepool steamer WILLOWPOOL (4815grt/1925) and landed safely.
19.9.1939: Fleetwood registry closed “Sunk by enemy submarine”.

(Crew (all Fleetwood unless stated) – Sk. William Boyles; G. T. Pugh, Mate; W. Spall, Bosun; A Scott, Ch Eng, Thornton; J. Higgins, 2nd Eng, Burn Naze; E. Prentice, D. G. Gall, C. S. Hunter & H. R. Wright, deckhands; R. O. Welch & J. Gregger, firemen; C. W. Sharpe, cook).

Note: In August 1939 with the prospect of conflict in the offing, several trawler owners on both the East and West Coast recalled their vessels and delayed the sailing of others. Once War was declared, however, and with markets suffering from a lack of supplies, many trawlers returned to sea thinking that on the West Coast at least, the War might be slow to get under way. They were not to know that many German U-boats were already moving into positions to the West of Ireland and outboard of the Western Isles – both areas favoured fishing grounds of the Fleetwood trawling fleet. On Tuesday 12 September 1939, the Mount Steam Fishing Co’s DAVARA (FD152) commanded by Skipper William Boyles and a crew of eleven, sailed from Fleetwood for the West of Scotland grounds. In the early afternoon of Wednesday 13 September she was in a position some 21 miles NNW of Tory Island, County Donegal when she was closed by the U-boat, U.27 which with the deck gun manned, commenced shelling the DAVARA. Despite damage Skipper Boyles managed to get the boat into the water and with all the crew onboard the trawler was abandoned. The shelling continued for about half an hour and thirty five rounds were counted, the DAVARA sinking at 14.55. The crew were in the boat for five hours constantly baling and rowing and were exhausted when picked up by by the West Hartlepool steamer WILLOWPOOL (4815grt/1925) and landed safely.

Click to enlarge picture

S.T. Davara FD152

S.T. Davara FD152
Picture courtesy of RossallBeach.com

S.T. Davara FD152

S.T. Davara FD152
Inboard of Meuse

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
30/05/2016: Information updated.
01/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.

S.T. Cerealia FD165

Additional material courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 118944
Yard Number: 335
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 220
Net Tonnage: 92
Length: 122 ft
Breadth: 21.7 ft
Depth: 11.3 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons, Selby
Engine: 450ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co, Hull

History

24.1.1905: Launched by Cochrane & Sons, Selby (Yd.No.335) for Grimsby Alliance Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as CALABRIA.
2.1905: Completed.
27.2.1905: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Chesman, Grimsby for the sum of £3000 with interest at 5% (A).
28.2.1905: Frederick Barter Coulson appointed manager.
28.2.1905: Registered at Grimsby (GY50).
10.8.1908: Mortgage (A) discharged.
8.1908: Sold to Akties Fiskeriselskab Norden, Fredershavn.
20.8.1908: Grimsby registry closed. Renamed GUDRUN.
5.1910: Sold to Grimsby Alliance Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
1910: Remeasured on return to British flag – 115.05n
1.6.1910: Registered at Grimsby as CEREALIA (GY549).
1.6.1910: Frederick Barter Coulson appointed manager.
30.6.1910: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Chesman, Grimsby for the sum of £1700 with interest at 5% (A).
26.6.1911: George Thomas Mitchell appointed manager.
28.6.1913: Mortgage (A) transferred to Barclay & Co Ltd, London.
12.1914: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.674).
22.1.1916: Mortgage (A) discharged. Based Egypt.
23.3.1918: Sold to Savoy Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
25.3.1918: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Rowland Hill (64/64), Grimsby for the sum of £5000 with interest at 6% (B).
27.3.1918: Henry Croft Baker & John Lawrance Green appointed managers.
4.6.1918: Mortgage (B) discharged.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
7.5.1919: Sold to Noah Ashworth, Rowland Morris & Ernest Taylor, Fleetwood (64/64) joint owners).
10.5.1919: Joseph Allen Taylor appointed manager.
12.5.1919: Grimsby registry closed.
15.5.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD165).
25.11.1920: Stranded on Jager Rock, Jura, Sound of Islay (Sk. Carrill). Subsequently declared a Total Loss.
6.12.1920: Fleetwood registry closed “Totally lost”.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Cerealia FD165

S.T. Cerealia FD165
Picture from the Internet

Cerealia Crew

Cerealia Crew
Picture courtesy of The Jeffrey Pullen Collection

Changelog
27/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
05/10/2015: Crew picture added.
05/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
11/11/2019: Updated information.