Category Archives: Lost Vessels

Vessels that have been lost

S.T. Velia (2) FD49

Technical
Official Number: 136896
Yard Number: 606
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 116
Length: 130.2 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 84nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History
27.6.1914: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.606) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood. as VELIA.
28.8.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD49). James A. Robertson designated manager.
8.9.1914: Completed.
12.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) Renamed SITVEL (Ad.No.197). Based Northern Patrol.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood and reverted to VELIA (FD49).
19.9.1927: Received wireless message from steam trawler NORINA (FD150) which had stranded in fog and drizzle on the Isle of Jura, about one hours steaming from the Rubha a Mhail (Rhuvaal) light whilst making for Islay Sound.
20.9.1927: Arrived on the scene and with SARBA (FD177) which had arrived earlier, connected but were unsuccessful in refloating.
21.9.1927: Stood by until Glasgow tug FLYING SPRAY (217grt/1917 – 823ihp) (Mr Roger Owen) arrived, connected and after three quarters of an hour succeeded in refloating NORINA.
17.6.1930: Outward for fishing grounds in Fleetwood Channel. Steam trawler SULBY (FD87) also outwards had carbide drum fall into engine crankpit smashing engine, gas generated exploded causing considerable damage; no casualties. Connected and beached SULBY at Fleetwood.
21.12.1932: In squally weather with a strong SSE wind, stranded at about 10.30 pm. two miles S of Point of Ayre, IoM, stripping propeller. Steam trawler CHORLEY (FD26) stood by and attempted to pass warps but sea too rough.
22.12.1932: At 5.45 pm, with Glasgow tug FLYING FOAM (217grt/1917) in attendance, refloated. Delivered Fleetwood, repaired and returned to service. 26.1.1938: Arrived Fleetwood with damaged propeller sustained by striking a floating object when fishing on the west of Scotland grounds. Slow progress home due to vibration and continual gales (see RIVER CLYDE also affected by this weather).
Pre 4.1940: Employed on Fishery Protection (WA/Fort William/Fleetwood) (1-12pdr, 4 Lewis guns).
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
27.5.1940: Requisitioned for war service (Hire rate £77.6.8d/month) (Ty/Sk. John Clarkson RNR).
27.5.1940: Fleetwood Flotilla sailed North End, Fleetwood for English Channel in company with GAVA (FD380) as Leader (Ty/Sk. F. Day RNR. Senior Officer Fleetwood Flotilla, P/Ty/Lieut. Francis Joseph Jordan RNR), and DHOON (FD438), EDWINA (FD205) (Ty/Sk. Percy Bedford RNR), EVELYN ROSE (GY9) (Ty/Sk. Arthur John Lewis RNR), JACINTA (FD235) (Ty/Sk. Jim Bettess RNR – mate).
30.5.1940: Arrived Dover.
31.5.1940: At 0730 sailed for Ramsgate, entering harbour at 0910. At 2030 moved to anchor outside.
1.6.1940: At 0725 sailed Ramsgate for Dunkirk. Attacked by enemy aircraft all the way; returned fire. At Dunkirk did not embark any troops. Sailed with Fleetwood Flotilla for Ramsgate. At 1400 concentrated enemy air attack. Aircraft returned at 1430. At 1530, Belgian vessel signalled for assistance; 1546 ordered by GAVA to take damaged Belgian T.26 in tow. Connected and proceeded to Dover. Rejoined Fleetwood Flotilla and resumed patrol at 2315.
4.6.1940; Ordered to Harwich. Weekend leave and on return crew signed a three month contract under T.124 articles as civilians employed to serve alongside the Royal Navy in Naval uniform as members of Naval Auxiliary Personnel subject to Naval discipline. Commenced 3 day patrols (P.No.NI) in the English Channel/Thames Estuary as part of ‘invasion’ defence.
19.10.1940: Mined 8 miles SE of South Ship Head, Shipwash, Thames Estuary (Prob. Ty/Lieut. J. G. Shoobridge RNR). Approx position 51.48N 01.44E. All crew picked up by HM Trawlers HEKLA (P.No.FY.1650) (GY118) and STELLA CARINA (P.No.FY.352) (H327).
11.1940: Fleetwood registry closed.

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S.T. Velia FD49

S.T. Velia FD49
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Velia FD49

S.T. Velia FD49
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
17/01/2009: Page published. 11 updates since then.
12/06/2022: Restored damaged page.

S.T. Thomas Deas M253

Additional information courtesy of Barry Johnson Milford Trawlers
Technical

Admiralty Number: 3506
Official Number: 143858
Yard Number: 667
Completed: 1917
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, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Palmer’s Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Hebburn on Tyne

History

17.10.1916: Laid down. Requisitioned by The Admiralty on the stocks; no instalment monies paid.
08.2.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.667) and requisitioned by The Admiralty (non-standard “Castle” class) as JAMES JOHNSON.
13.4.1917: Completed.
8.4.1918: At midnight 2 miles S. by W. from Daunt Lightship in collision with armed trawler LORD HARDINGE (Ad.No.2993) (GY1013) which foundered. All crew picked up.
19.8.1919: Landed at Milford.
21.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as THOMAS DEAS O.N.143858. Engaged in commercial trawling.
3.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO294).
Between 18.5.1920 – 18.6.1920: Allocated to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, London. Fishing out of Swansea.
1920: Allocated to the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society, London.
13.8.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
29.11.1920: Landed at Milford and laid up.
1.1922: Scheme abandoned, the necessary working capital of £100,000 having not been subscribed.
9.1922: At HM Dockyard, Pembroke completed fitting out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler at Milford.
10.1922: Sold to Henry James Shooter, Exeter; Sk. Henry William Salter, Milford Haven & Sk. Thomas Salter, Hakin.
9.10.1922: London registry closed.
10.10.1922: Registered at Milford (M253).
22.10.1923: Shares re-allocated to James Henry Shooter, Exeter & Sk. Thomas Salter, Hakin.
11.6.1926: In the Channel had a narrow escape when a mail boat crossed the bows, quick thinking by the helmsman averted collision.
23.12.1926: Sold to Mrs Elizabeth Ann Heck Pettit, Milford Haven. David Pettit designated manager.
27.1.1931: Outward from Milford for the fishing grounds on the afternoon tide in darkness, misty light rain stranded in Gellyswick Bay. Refloated under own power with no damage.
1932: David Pettit (66) died.
1933: Transferred Mrs Elizabeth Ann Heck Owens, Hakin. Mrs Elizabeth Ann Heck Owens designated managing owner.
28.7.1933: Arrived Limerick, Co. Limerick with broken steam pipe having been aground in river.
11.11.1936: Sailed Milford for West of Ireland grounds at 4.15 p.m. (Sk. Robert W. C. Kettle). Anchored off to await crew member. Picked up and proceeded down Haven, At 7.15 p.m. in collision with steam tanker SAN DARIO (1136grt/1936) alleged to be at anchor unlit. Stood by and checked damage before returning to Milford.
23.3.1937: Sailed Milford for West coast of Ireland grounds (Sk. Robert W. C. Kettle).
31.3.1937: Spoke THOMAS LEEDS (M70) stopped with condenser door blown off. THOMAS LEEDS effected repair but requested tow to Milford.
1.4.1937: Connected.
3.4.1937: Delivered THOMAS LEEDS to Milford.
24.9.1939: Last landing at Milford.
30.9.1939: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £5750. Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Cleveleys designated manager.
21.1.1941: Homeward in an easterly gale and rough seas, ran ashore near Port Askaig, Islay. At 10.10pm Kilchoman coastguard telephoned the Port Askaig Lifeboat Station that a trawler was ashore in the Sound of Islay. The motor lifeboat CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH was launched at 10.50pm and at 11.30pm found the trawler aground with a crew of fourteen and carrying a catch worth about £2,000.
22.1.1941: Another trawler arrived and the lifeboat succeeded in passing a tow line to her but in the severe weather it parted. It was decided that in view of the weather the other trawler would continue on passage. At day-break the lifeboat assisted the trawler to layout out a kedge anchor and at high water refloated herself. The lifeboat returned to station at 12.05pm. The Fleetwood Steam Trawlers Mutual Insurance Association sent £50 to the lifeboat crew in gratitude for them helping to refloat the trawler. The crew gave £4 of the gratuity to the Institution.
16.2.1941: Lost after explosion approximately 4 miles off Spurn Point, believed to have been mined; Crew of thirteen lost.
20.3.1941: Milford registry closed “Vessel sunk by enemy mine”.

(Lost – Sk. W. Scott (44), 24 Knowsley Gate, Fleetwood; John Henry Raywell (25), 79 Rosamond Street, Hull, 2nd Hand; George Robert Dodson (43), 70 Shakespeare Road, Fleetwood, 3rd Hand; Thomas George Hudson (48), 3 Coniston Avenue, Fleetwood, Ch Eng,; Richard Neill (39), 63 Warrenhurst Road, Fleetwood, 2nd Eng.; George Robert Bush (19), 308 Radcliffe Road, Fleetwood, Charles Henry Powdrell (57), 174 St. Georges Road, Hull, Harold Powdrell (51) 9 Esther’s Avenue, Eastbourne Street, Hull, Walter Semper (29), 4 York Terrace, Marmaduke Street, Hull & Robert Wilson (23), 141 Chilcorn Street, Hull, Deckhands; William Gordan Phillips (40), 10 Darbyshire Road, Fleetwood & Thomas Patrick Power (41), C/O Seaman’s Mission, Dock Street, Fleetwood, Fireman/Trimmers and Thomas Madden (36), 1 St. Andres Terrace, Panott Street, Hull, Cook.

(John (aka James) Johnson, OS (volunteer), age 24, b. Newport, Rhode Island, America – VICTORY (SB110)

(Record of Death of Merchant Seaman, recorded May 1941. Lost at sea, River Humber: presumed killed: vessel sunk by enemy mine – Sk. W. Scott (44), 24 Knowsley Gate, Fleetwood; John Henry Raywell (25), 79 Rosamond Street, Hull, 2nd Hand; George Robert Dodson (43), 70 Shakespeare Road, Fleetwood, 3rd Hand; Thomas George Hudson (48), 3 Coniston Avenue, Fleetwood, Ch Eng,; Richard Neill (39), 63 Warrenhurst Road, Fleetwood, 2nd Eng.; George Robert Bush (19), 308 Radcliffe Road, Fleetwood; Charles Henry Powdrell (57), 174 St. Georges Road, Hull; Harold Powdrell (51) 9 Esther’s Avenue, Eastbourne Street, Hull; Walter Semper (29), 4 York Terrace, Marmaduke Street, Hull & Robert Wilson (23), 141 Chiltern Street, Hull, Deckhands; William Gordon Phillips (40), 10 Darbyshire Road, Fleetwood & Thomas Patrick Power (41), c/o Seaman’s Mission, Dock Street, Fleetwood, Fireman/Trimmers and Thomas Madden (36), 1 St. Andrews Terrace, Panott Street, Hull, Cook.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Thomas Deas M253

S.T. Thomas Deas M253
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

Changelog
17/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
19/02/2015: Information added.
03/11/2016: Information updated.
25/04/2022: Information updated.
10/11/2022: Added Record of Death

S.T. Sir Agravine A276

Technical

Official Number: 182005
Yard Number: 162
Completed: 1942
As built: 440disp (137’ 9” loa) 126’ 0” x 23’ 9” x 11’ 6”
Gross Tonnage: 276.89
Net Tonnage: 105.03
Length: 126.2 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: J. Lewis & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: 600ihp T.3-cyl by J. Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (E.No.239)
Boiler: John G. Kincaid & Co Ltd, Greenock

History

1.1941: Ordered.
13.10.1941: Keel laid.
5.3.1942: Launched by J. Lewis & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.162) (“Round Table” class) for The Admiralty as HMS SIR AGRAVAINE (P.No.T.230).
12.6.1942: Completed as a “LL” minesweeper (1-12pdr HA/LA, 4-MG, 1-20mm, DC).
23.5.1944: Assigned as a magnetic minesweeper to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
5.6.1944: Sailed for beachhead approaches with minesweeping flotillas.
29.6.1944: Ordered to Plymouth on successful completion of operations in British sector.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
1946: Laid up at Rosyth on Disposal List (SORF, Rosyth).
4.1946: Sold to The Great Western Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen.
11.2.1947: Registered at Aberdeen as SIR AGRAVINE O.N.182005 (A276). Basil Arthur Parkes designated manager.
15.2.1947: Alteration to tonnage and other particulars. Certificate of Survey at Aberdeen dated 14.2.1947. 273.50g 103.50n.
1948: Transferred to fish out of Fleetwood.
10.8.1954: Last landing at Fleetwood (Sk. Harold Harrison), 689 boxes 60 baskets £1,378 gross £1,352 net.
8.1954: Sold to Nils Utheim, Karvag, Nordmor, Norway.
1.9.1954: Aberdeen registry closed. Registered at Kristiansund as UTHEIM.
1957: Converted to motor and fitted with 4stroke 8-cyl oil engine by A/S Volund, Copenhagen.
1972: Sold to Rolf Hansen Partrederi, Kristiansund, Norway. Registered at Kristiansund as FEDERAL (M.22.K)
24.7.1973: Off Krakeneset, Norwegian Sea, started to take in water and after taking on a list, capsized and foundered. Kristiansund registry closed.

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HMT Sir Agravaine

HMT Sir Agravaine
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Sir Agravine A276

S.T. Sir Agravine A276
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

M.T. Federal M22K

M.T. Federal M22K
Picture courtesy of The Frank Pook Collection

Changelog
17/01/2009: Page published 7 updates since then.
12/08/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermarks and posted another image.
22/10/2020: Added an image and updated history.

S.T. G.M. FD103

Additional information courtesy of Peter Bell

Technical

Official Number: 128750
Yard Number: 420
Completed: 1910
Gross Tonnage: 225
Net Tonnage: 89
Length: 120 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering & Dry Docks Co Ltd, North Shields
Boiler: J. T. Eltringham & Co, South Shields

History

25.3.1910: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.420) for John H. Dove, Milford Haven (managing owner) as G.M.
7.1910: Completed.
19.7.1910: Registered at Milford (M47).
22.4.1912: Off St.Ann’s Head picked up part crew of steamer ASHANTI (3423grt/1897) Chief Officer and ten men, West Africa-Liverpool, disabled with broken propeller shaft who had left the ship to seek assistance. Landed them at Milford.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.124).
9.8.1914: Arrived Devonport for Special Trawler Reserve; when stored to sail for Lowestoft. Ad.No. cancelled.
13.11.1914: At Lowestoft as Ad.No.308, parent ship HALCYON.
23.1.1915: Arrived Devonport to fit out for Mediterranean as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.308).
9.2.1915: Sailed. Dardanelles Campaign (Sk. Henry James).
20.12.1915: Dardanelles (Gallipoli) evacuation completed. Redeployed.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Milford Haven.
29.3.1919: Sold to Taylor & Tomlinson Ltd, Fleetwood.
24.3.1919: Milford registry closed.
29.3.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD103).
18.10.1919: Sold to The Tudor Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Joseph A. Taylor, manager).
1924: James E Sellers appointed manager.
30.11.1925: Sold to Frank Thornley, Blackpool (managing owner).
1.2.1927: Registered at Fleetwood as PASADENA (FD103).
3.10.1932: Stranded off Glengad Head, Co. Donegal (Sk. P. Petersen). Twelve crew members taken to Londonderry.
12.1932: Declared CTL.
28.12.1932: Fleetwood registry closed “Total loss 3/10/1932”.
Click to enlarge images

S.T. Pasadena FD103

S.T. Pasadena FD103
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

S.T. Pasadena FD103

S.T. Pasadena FD103
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
14/09/2015: Information updated.
23/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
21/11/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Daily Express FD286

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4404
Official Number: 144518
Yard Number: 420
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 109
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 480ihp T3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

18.7.1919: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.420) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as THOMAS ALEXANDER (Ad.No.4404).
1.1920: Allocated to the National Fishery Scheme for the setting up of the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
23.4.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I & IV) as THOMAS ALEXANDER O.N.144518 (LO351).
4.6.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler at Hull; ex fishing gear.
13.8.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
1921: Sold to Rémy & Huret, Boulogne.
9.8.1921: London registry closed.
8.1921: Registered at Boulogne as ETOILE POLAIRE II (B??)
1930: Sold to Fred Parkes, Blackpool.
2.1930: Boulogne registry closed.
21.2.1930: Registered at Fleetwood as DAILY EXPRESS (FD68). Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated as managing owner.
13.11.1933: Sold to Hellyer Brothers Ltd, Hull.
24.11.1933: Fleetwood registry closed.
25.11.1933: Registered at Hull (H523).
22.12.1933: Registered at Hull as TURCOMAN (H523). Frank O. Hellyer & Owen S. Hellyer designated joint managers.
21.9.1936: Sold to R. Irvin & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen.
30.9.1936: Hull registry closed.
1.10.1936: Registered at Aberdeen (A416). Sir John H. Irvin KBE designated manager.
23.10.1936: Registered at Aberdeen as BEN DEARG (A416).
29.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.690) (Hire rate £91.0.0d/month).
6.3.1942: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £8900 or £8625.
5.1946: Re-classed at Port Glasgow.
6.6.1946: Returned to owner.
29.10.1948: Aberdeen registry closed.
10.1948: Registered at Fleetwood (FD286). Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Cleveleys designated manager.
194?: In gale force conditions with poor visibility, stranded on rocks off Green Island, Sound of Mull. Attended by mail boat LOCHINVAR (216grt/1908) but crew remained on board and nine hours later refloated under own power.
1.7.1949: Sold to Anglo-Australian Fisheries (Pty) Ltd and Anglo-Australian Trawlers (Pty) Ltd, Perth, WA for £15000. Ian L. C. McNicol designated manager. 16.7.1949: Sailed Fleetwood for Fremantle, WA (Sk. James Dewhurst (39)/Capt E. Beeham); fourteen crew all volunteers to settle in Australia and sailed under Western Australian Government immigration scheme; families to follow.
16.9.1949: Arrived Fremantle, WA. To fish out of Albany.
1.1951: Had fire in coal bunker while alongside.
1958: Sold to Royal Australian Navy and sunk after use as a target.
(Thomas Alexander, OS, age 36, b. Roscommon, Co. Roscommon – ROYAL SOVEREIGN (SB279))

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HMT Ben Dearg

HMT Ben Dearg
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Ben Dearg FD286 arrives in Australia

S.T. Ben Dearg FD286 arrives in Australia
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
29/04/2015: Updated information.
20/04/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
01/03/2020: Updated information.