Category Archives: Lost Vessels

Vessels that have been lost

S.T. Caldew FD347

Additional information courtesy of The Hull Trawler Website, Geoff Davidson and Patrick Conaghan.

Technical

Official Number: 128769
Yard Number: 1580
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 257
Net Tonnage: 115
Length: 129.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7
Engine: 97hp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough.
Boiler: Blair & Co Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

5.10.1914: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.580) for James Thomas, Milford Haven (managing owner) as MARISTO.
11.1914: Completed.
6.11.1914: Registered at Milford (M14).
9.6.1915: Landed 200 kits of hake for record £954.
12.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an armed trawler (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.1978).
1917: Based at Portland. In company with HMTrawler CALIPH (Ad.No.133)(M197) attacked a German submarine and claimed an unconfirmed kill.
16.10.1917: Sold to The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
10.9.1919: Milford registry closed.
11.9.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD347).
30.9.1921: Registered at Fleetwood as CALDEW (FD347).
14.2.1931: In gale force winds and driving snow, at 3.00am. responded to distress call to Malin Head Radio by Finnish steamer MALVE (1488grt/1917) (Capt Boxberg) stranded on Tiree whilst on passage Tallin to Manchester with wood pulp and timber. With steam trawlers DHOON (FD54) and RIVER CLYDE (FD418) stood by to render assistance. Vessel refloated on flood after pumping out ballast and moving 40 tons of cargo from No.3 to No.4 hold, and went to anchor in Balephetrish Bay, Tiree. Wind freshened and started to drag, with insufficient steam, drove ashore among rocks, held fast and making water. Crew abandoned and landed on Tiree. Vessel was a total loss.
12.11.1931: At Fleetwood, Sk. James Crewdson was fined 20s by Magistrates for excessive use of the steam whistle in the Wyre Channel to the annoyance of the public.
16.3.1935: Fishing the St. Kilda grounds (Sk. Edward Harris). At 10.30am. when hauling SW of the islands and with the radio operator, Christopher Cramer (23)) on the winch, when he had completed his task he disappeared over the side. The crew dashed to the rail and as he came up for the second time a deckhand grabbed Cramer’s foot and hauled him safely onboard.
25.3.1935: Sailed Fleetwood for St. Kilda and Butt of Lewis grounds (Sk. Edward Harris); twelve crew.
6.4.1935: While trawling on grounds south of Gigha, at about 7.55 a.m. in collision with the OSPRAY II (FD129) (Sk. Robert Kelly) which suffered damage aft of wheelhouse on starboard side and shell plating holed in the bunker. Despite efforts to save her and attempt to beach, vessel filled rapidly and crew abandoned and lay to until vessel sank at about 8.35 am. Picked up by the CALDEW and returned to Fleetwood.
7.12.1935: BOT Formal Investigation (S.375) found Sk. Edward Harris and Sk. Robert Kelly both in default and suspended Sk. Harris’s ticket ticket for twelve months.
30.9.1937: Arrived Fleetwood with steam trawler LOWTHER (FD347) (Sk.T. Barcock) in tow having picked her up off the Flannan Islands, disabled with broken tail shaft. The trip of 400 miles was accomplished in 60 hours in moderate weather.
31.1.1938: On arrival at Fleetwood, Sk. John Wilson reported that he had heard Sk. Anderson of the steam trawler BOSTONIAN (FD41) calling the Boston control ship TEKOURA (FD12) on Friday 21st at 5-30pm. while he was off Eagle Island. BOSTONIAN was lost south of Barra in severe weather conditions; no survivors.
6.3.1938: On the grounds off the Donegal coast (Sk. William Wright). Trawl warp parted whipping across the deck and encircling two men. Realising that they were both severely injured Sk. Wright called Killybegs Radio Station and arranged for an ambulance to meet the ship. Made best speed for Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
7.3.1938: On arrival, driven across the county and deckhands Emmanuel Clarke (44) and William Carter admitted to hospital in Donegal. Clarke did not respond to treatment and died that night as a result of his injuries.
1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
22.2.1939: Off Mull of Galloway, stood by submarine L.21 which had broken away from tug in gale force winds while on passage from Portsmouth to Messers W. H. Arnott, Young’s yard at Dalmuir, for breaking. Unsuccessfully tried to connect, abandoned and proceeded. L.21 was subsequently recovered by the Glasgow tug CHIEFTAIN (196grt/1930 860ihp) and delivered Dalmuir.
16.9.1939: Sailed Fleetwood for Faroe Island grounds (Sk. Thomas Joseph Kane); twelve crew.
21.9.1939: At Faroe landed fireman D. Morris, Blackpool due to illness; transferred to hospital at Tveraa.
24.9.1939: Whilst fishing off the Faroe Islands stopped by U-boat (U.33), sunk by gunfire in position 60.47N 06.20W after crew ordered into boat. Crew picked up by Swedish steamer KRONPRINSESSAN MARGAETA (3765grt/1914).
27.9.1939: Steamer stopped by German destroyer FRIEDRICH IHN crew removed and interned in Germany. Five years and seven months first in Sandbostel and later Milag 8.
18.10.1939: Fleetwood registry closed “Sunk by enemy submarine”.

(Released 1945: Albert Cook, Mate; Thomas Payne, Chief Engineer; Charles Ellis, Bosun; deckhands, Harold Ashwell, George Triffett and Alec Mulholland; fireman, Hector Pearson. Skipper Thomas Kane; Fredrick Rowe, 2nd Engineer and deckhand George Brooks had been exchanged for German prisoners in Lisbon in June 1943. Cook, John Shutterlin had been repatriated via Gibraltar in January 1945. Source IWM BU4665)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Caldew FD347

S.T. Caldew FD347

S.T. Caldew FD347

S.T. Caldew FD347
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

S.T. Caldew FD347

S.T. Caldew FD347
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

The crew of Caldew in the POW camp

The crew of Caldew in the POW camp

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
12/12/2015: Added information.
15/06/2016: Updated information.

S.T. Annie Melling (1) PN61

Technical

Official Number: 114913
Yard Number: 785
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 221
Net Tonnage: 85
Length: 117.6 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

8.2.1906: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.785) for Henry Melling, Preston (managing owner) as ANNIE MELLING.
3.1906: Completed. Registered at Preston (PN61).
1907: Owners became The Melling Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Henry Melling, Preston, manager).
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1- 6pdr) (Ad.No.1593).
12.1918: Returned to owner at Fleetwood (Melling Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Henry Melling, Preston, manager)).
1921: Sold to Thomas F. Kelsall, Fleetwood (managing owner).
11.8.1922: Lost after collision off Tobermory.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Annie Melling PN61

S.T. Annie Melling PN61
Picture from the Internet

Changelog

21/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
29/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Port Jackson FD6

Technical

Official Number: 114303
Yard Number: 250
Completed: 1904
Gross Tonnage: 196.96
Net Tonnage: 49.24
Length: 115.7 ft
Breadth: 21.8 ft
Depth: 11.8 ft
Built: J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: 380ihp T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Boiler: James Abernathy & Co, Aberdeen

History

12.3.1904: Launched by J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.250) for John Millington Jackson, St. Anne’s-on-the-Sea (18/64); John Liver, Fairhaven, Lytham (11/64); Sarah Jane Astley, Blackpool (11/64); Horace Bourne, Adlington, Chorley (8/64); Isaac Miller, Knott End (7/64); Walter Smith, Blackpool (6/64); Samuel Knapman, Fleetwood (20/64) and William Henry Gilmour, Fleetwood (1/64), as PORT JACKSON.
3.1904: Completed.
13.4.1904: Registered at Fleetwood (FD6). Thomas Frederick Kelsall designated manager.
21.2.1905: W. H. Gilmour 1/64 share sold to John M. Jackson, St. Anne’s-on-the-Sea.
6.3.1906: J. M. Jackson 1/64 sold to Walter Henry Dickenson, Fleetwood.
11.11.1907: Horace Bourne residing at Poulton-le-Fylde.
24.2.1908: W. H. Dickenson 1/64 sold to Claude Alexander Smythe, Fleetwood.
15.9.1908: Horace Bourne died.
13.10.1908: Probate. Eleanor Bourne, Poulton-le-Fylde & William Haden Arthur Richardson, Wordsley, Staffs. (joint owners 8/64).
12.12.1908: Eleanor Bourne change of Poulton-le-Flyde address.
23.12.1910: E. Bourne & W. H. A. Richardson 8/64 shares sold to Thomas F. Kelsall, Fleetwood.
1911: Thomas Kelsall designated managing owner.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 76.03 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
2.3.1917: At Fleetwood. Fitted with 6-pdr Hotchkiss H.A. Mk IV gun (No.3111); complement increased by two gunners.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
22.12.1917: At Fleetwood. Fitted with Hotchkiss 12pdr gun (No.8683).
1919: Released.
12.2.1927: In dense fog struck quayside at Fleetwood while manoeuvring, causing minor damage.
10.8.1931: Arrested by HMS SPEY for alleged illegal fishing in the Firth of Clyde.
11.8.1931: At Campbeltown Sheriff Court, Sk. Henry Stirzaker Dutton pleaded guilty. A fine of £100 was imposed but Sk. Dutton could not pay and was sent to prison for 60 days; nets in use at the time of arrest were forfeited.
11.1934: Sold to Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
17.11.1934: Fleetwood registry closed.
20.11.1934: Registered at Aberdeen (A222). Thomas Walker designated manager.
8.1935: On a four day trip out of Aberdeen on local grounds (Sk. Sam Bavidge Jnr).
23.8.1935: Shifting grounds in the early hours with light SE wind but with a heavy swell, stranded on submerged reef off Scotstown Head, north of Peterhead. In response to flares, Peterhead lifeboat, DUKE OF CONNAUGHT launched at 3.50am and found the trawler in an awkward position and making water rapidly. At the request of Sk. Bavidge five men taken off and landed at Peterhead; insurers informed. Putting out again the lifeboat found the trawler almost submerged and skipper and three men, who had stood off in ship’s boat, picked up. Returned to Peterhead at 8.30am. Declared CTL.
4.9.1935: Aberdeen registry closed “ Total loss 23.8.35”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Port Jackson FD6

S.T. Port Jackson FD6
Picture courtesy of John Stevenson

S.T. Port Jackson FD6

S.T. Port Jackson FD6
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

Changelog
19/01/2009: Page published. 4 revisions since then.
29/10/2014: Picture added.
19/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.
07/10/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Moulmein H61

S.T. Moulmein FD132

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 104239
Yard Number: 503
Completed: 1895
Gross Tonnage: 151
Net Tonnage: 40
Length: 100.6 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 11 ft
Engine: 320ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Edwards Bros, North Shields

History

25.5.1895: Launched by Edwards Bros, North Shields (Yd.No.503) for George Beeching, Fleetwood (managing owner) as MOULMEIN.
6.1895: Completed.
26.6.1895: Registered at Fleetwood (FD132).
1897: Sold to Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Manchester (John E. A. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood, managers).
1899: Transferred to Hull.
30.3.1899: Registered at Hull (H61).
12.5.1899: Fleetwood registry closed.
22.10.1904: The Dogger Bank Incident. Shelled and damaged by Russian Navy Baltic Fleet while fishing on the Dogger Bank. Russians on passage to the Pacific in the darkness opened fire on the trawlers (approx 45 vessels) under the impression that they were about to be attacked.
8.9.1911: Registered office transferred to Hull (George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London, managers).
21.5.1913: Sold to George Clarkson, Fleetwood.
23.5.1913: George Clarkson appointed managing owner.
23.5.1913: Mortgaged to James Herbert Marr, Fleetwood (A).
7.7.1913: Hull registry closed.
8.7.1913: Registered at Fleetwood (FD187).
6.8.1913: Sold to The Devon Steam Trawling Co, Fleetwood (George Clarkson, manager).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 59.04 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
18.11.1916: Sold to Henry Carl Smethurst (64/64), Grimsby. Henry Carl Smethurst designated managing owner.
13.12.1916: Fleetwood registry closed.
18.12.1916: Registered at Grimsby (GY1007).
23.12.1916: Sold to Henry Carl Smethurst, John Wintringham Smethurst & William Winteringham Smethurst, all Grimsby (64/64 joint owners). John Wintringham Smethurst designated managing owner.
28.3.1917: Stopped by U-boat (UC77) with a shot across the bows whilst fishing 25 miles NE of Longstone Light and scuttled by opening seacocks and scuttles. Vessel position 56.00N 1.13W.
14.5.1917: Grimsby registry closed “Sunk by German submarine”.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Moulmein H61

S.T. Moulmein H61
Picture courtesy of The Mike Thompson Collection

S.T. Moulmein H61

S.T. Moulmein H61
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Moulmein FD132

S.T. Moulmein FD132
Picture from the Internet

Russians open fire

Russians open fire
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Mino H799

S.T. Mino H799
Picture courtesy of The Mike Thompson Collection

Changelog
19/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
18/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Lord Minto FD51

Technical

Official Number: 136192
Yard Number: 599
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 295
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 136.7 ft
Breadth: 23.2 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: 93nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

1.3.1914: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.599) for Yorkshire Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as LORD MINTO.
28.5.1914: Registered at Hull (H105). John McCann & Edward Cartwright designated managers.
6.6.1914: Completed.
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.1516). Based Dover.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
17.10.1921: Sold to Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull. John McCann & Edward Cartwright designated joint managers.
14.3.1924: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood. James A. Robertson designated manager.
12.10.1924: James A. Robertson died.
10.1924: Alan Marr designated manager.
12.1.1925: Sold to The Active Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
6.6.1925: Hull registry closed.
12.6.1925: Registered at Fleetwood (FD51). Alan Marr designated manager.
1.12.1925: Alan Marr died.
12.1925: Joseph Arthur Marr designated manager.
26.10.1936: In gale force winds and heavy weather off St. Kilda, Bosun, William Wilson Crewdson was washed overboard and drowned.
9.1939: On a trip to St. Kilda ground (Sk. Charles Pennington); eleven crew.
18.9.1939: Trawling 30 miles NW of St. Kilda. 7.00pm. stopped in position 58.09N 09.17W by U-boat (U.35); tried to escape and made radio message. Examined i.a.w. Prisenordnung (Prize Regulations) Art.54. Seized along with ARLITA (FD188) and NANCY HAGUE (FD133). As boats not considered safe for crew*, transferred along with crew of ARLITA to NANCY HAGUE which allowed to return to Fleetwood. Both vessels sunk by gunfire in position 57.51N 09.28W. At 8.47pm. H M destroyers SOMALI (P.No.F33) and MATABELE (P.No.F26) detached to assist.
27.9.1939: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel sunk by German submarine”.

*Crew (all Fleetwood unless stated) – Sk. Charles Pennington; Arthur Dutton, Mate; J. R. Rogers, Bosun; T. Hudson Ch.Eng; R. Neill, 2nd Eng; G. Halliday; Bertram Lee; W. Sharples; J. Beadle, Liverpool, deckhands; W. Kneale, Knott End, fireman; Robert Pooley, cook; Herbert Coplin, wireless operator.

Note: U-boat (U35) was sunk 29.11.1939 in North Sea, in position 60.53N, 02.47E, by depth charges from HMShips KASHMIR (P.No.F12), KINGSTON (P.No.F64) and ICARUS (P.No.D03). All submariners survived.

Note: U-boat (U35) was sunk 29.11.1939 in North Sea, in position 60.53N, 02.47E, by depth charges from HMShips KASHMIR (P.No.F12), KINGSTON (P.No.F64) and ICARUS (P.No.D03). All submariners survived.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Lord Minto FD51

S.T. Lord Minto FD51
Picture from Internet

S.T. Lord Minto FD51

S.T. Lord Minto FD51
Picture courtesy of the Greenday Collection (Trawlerphotos)

Changelog
19/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
04/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
-1/05/2021: Updated history.