Category Archives: Sailing Trawlers

Sailing Trawlers

s.v. Bluebell FD56

Technical

Official Number: 114293
Completed: 1901
Gross Tonnage: 39
Net Tonnage: 23
Length: 58.6 ft
Breadth: 17.1 ft
Depth: 8.7 ft
Built: Nicholson & Marsh, Glasson Dock
Rig: Dandy (Trawling)

History

1901: Completed by Nicholson & Marsh, Glasson Dock for George Miller, 11 East Street, Fleetwood as BLUEBELL.
24.6.1901: Registered at Fleetwood (FD56).
6.12.1918: Sold to Frank Alfred Devenport, Deganwy, Carnarvon.
29.3.1919: Sold to Mrs Caroline Mary Devonport, Deganwy, Carnarvon.
29.1.1923: Converted to auxiliary motor remeasured 13.05n.
29.1.1923: Re-registered as auxiliary motor. Mrs Caroline Mary Devonport, 14 East Parade, Rhyl, Denbigh.
7.12.1928: Fleetwood registry closed. “Ship broken up”.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
27/10/2014: Information updated.

sv Beaver FD164

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 56593
Completed: 1869
Gross Tonnage: 41
Regd. Tonnage: 41
Gross Tonnage: 24.21
Net Tonnage: 24.21
Length: 59.4 ft
Breadth: 17 ft
Depth: 9.3 ft
Rig: Sloop – trawling & lining

History

1869: Completed by ??, Brixham as BEAVER.
1869: Sold to The Morecambe Bay Fishery Co Ltd, 142 Church Street, Lancaster for the sum of £710.
8.11.1869: Registered Lancaster.
1871: Wrecked and lying on the sands in damaged condition, 3 miles west of Morecambe.
3.1871: The company in liquidation, Edmund Noble, Morecambe appointed liquidator.
1.4.1871: Advertised for sale by auction, “ as she now lies “, along with dandy rigged trawlers IDA (LR??), OTTER (LR??) and ONWARD (LR??).
5.4.1871: Sold by auction at the North Western Hotel, Morecambe to Capt Alcock for the sum of £42.
2.5.1872: Lancaster registry closed.
By 1.1.1875: Owned by George H. Robinson, Southport.
1.1.1880: Owned by Frederick W. Rigby, Preston. Registered at Preston (PN67).
1883: Sold to John Iddon, Fleetwood & others. John Iddon managing owner.
27.9.1883: Following the gales earlier, several of the smacks that had returned yesterday reported that the HARRIET (CK59) was seen with decks swept and masts gone. At about 10.00am sailed in company with the WONDER (FD68) with volunteer crews of eight to ten men each to search for the HARRIET. They had not got far, however, before they met the disabled smack in tow of the BADGER.(FD55). Returned to port with them.
11.1884: Preston registry closed.
20.12.1884: Registered at Fleetwood (FD164).
1897: John Iddon died.
13.8.1897: TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr Robert Westby, at the FIELDEN FREE LIBRARY, Fleetwood on FRIDAY, the 13th day of August 1897 at Three o’clock in the afternoon prompt, subject to the Public Sale Conditions of the Preston Law Society, and to such other conditions as may then and there be produced. Lot 3. – The Wooden SAILING TRAWLER; “ARIEL”, of Fleetwood, 46 tons register, 65 feet 6 inches long, 17 feet 7 inches beam and 8 feet 9 inches depth of hold, built at Dartmouth in 1874. This boat is strongly built and provided with all necessary Sails, Working Gear, etc and is at present fishing off the Bristol Channel. Lot 4. – The Wooden SAILING TRAWLER; “BEAVER”, of Fleetwood, 46 tons register, 59 feet 4 inches long, 17 feet beam and 9 feet 31/2 inches depth of hold, built at Brixham in 1869. She is also a fine working boat boat and provided with all necessary Sails, Working Gear, etc and is now engaged fishing off the Bristol Channel. Both boats were managed and owned by the late Captain Iddon, having been thoroughly kept up and are well known as handy and profitable Trawlers. For further particulars as to lots 3 and 4 apply to Mr T. Fisher, Shipowner, Fleetwood.
17.9.1897: Sold to John Christian (64/64), Douglas, IoM. John Christian managing owner.
9.1897: Fleetwood registry closed.
17.9.1897: Registered at Douglas (DO1).
1898: Along with along with COMET (FD160) and LEADER (FD165) arrived Jubilee Quay from fishing grounds severely iced up.
8.4.1899: Sold to William Fairclough (64/64), 23 Kemp St, Fleetwood, William Fairclough managing owner.
16.5.1914: Douglas registry closed. “Vessel dismantled and disposed of for breaking up”.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
18/08/2022: Significant update to history.

sv Badger FD55

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 62958
Completed: 1869
Gross Tonnage: 34.46
Net Tonnage: 25
Rig: Cutter
Built: West Cowes, IoW

History

1869: Completed by ??, West Cowes, IoW for Thomas Seed, Fleetwood as BADGER. John G. Seed, manager.
8.12.1869: Registered at Fleetwood (FD55).
27.5.1870: While alongside at Fleetwood, fisherman, Thomas Tomlinson, along with the rest of the crew was cleaning the smack as directed. Tomlinson went aloft to scrape down the mast and while up there, stood on the gaff, he tore off one of his finger nails by catching it on a nail which protruded from a mast fitting. Feeling faint he called for one of the crew to relieve him and when he arrived he removed the “soul and body” lashing, took hold of one of the top mast stays to swing into the shrouds. He barely reached his mark and being unable to retain his hold, he rolled down the shrouds and fell between the quay and the smack. Tomlinson was speedily taken out of the water in an insensible state. Fortunately Dr Bowness of Poulton-le-Fylde was visiting the town and attending, rendered assistance.
1.1.1880: Owned by Robert Wright, Church Street, Fleetwood.
1.1.1883: Owned by Robert Westbury, Fleetwood.
15.10.1883: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds with other smacks of the fleet. No sooner had they started to fish than the wind freshened with indications of an approaching storm. Hauling their nets they proceed for home, within a few hours there was a fairly strong gale of wind and rain, and a heavy sea. At about 8.00pm, within a short distance of the pierhead, the smack was run into by a pontoon in tow of the steam tug WARDLEYS (122grt.1882). The port side was stove in and the smack sank a few minutes afterwards, but not before the crew managed to get her alongside the pier.
16.10.1883: At low tide water was pumped out and made watertight. Came afloat and taken and moored opposite the salt warehouse. By the afternoon the storm had abated somewhat. Subsequently awarded compensation by the Railway Company believed to be £20.
9.11.1883: Mr Robert Westby offered for sale by public auction the hull of the BADGER, which was knocked down to Mr George Maskell for £146. Repairs placed in the hands of James Armour Ltd.
16.11.1883: While repairing, James Armour and a workman observed a small boat rowing towards them. They heard a splash under the far quarter of the smack, and saw a young fellow in the water. James Armour at once jumped in and getting hold of the young fellow succeeded in getting him to a boat where he was hauled in unconscious. The young fellow, Campbell, came round and later was able to go home unaided.
1885: Owned by William Hudson, Fleetwood.
24.12.1886: Sold to Mrs Margaret Hudson, 49 Warren Street, Fleetwood.
16.7.1888: Took part in the Morecambe Regatta, along with SPRAY (FD147) and ROYAL CONSORT (FD75). Finished third. There were five minutes between first and second and three minutes between second and third.
31.1.1890: At the Local Marine Board, held in the Sailors’ Home, Liverpool, James Bond was charged with drunkenness and misconduct while acting as the skipper of the fishing smack BADGER, of Fleetwood and Thomas Wignall for a similar offence, while employed as second hand on the same boat. Wignall failed to appear. (He had been served with the summons and money advanced for his rail fare to Whitehaven). It was stated that on various dates in November and December, viz from November 18th to 21st, 23rd to 25th, 27th to 28th and December 1st to 3rd the BADGER did not put to sea for the purpose of fishing when she ought to have gone, in consequence of the drunken state of Bond and Wignall, who had sold the fish they caught off Whitehaven. They neglected to account to the owners for the money so received, and spent it on drink. Mr Armour, who was agent for the owners, said that Bond was not the proper skipper of the smack – his father Lawrence Bond being the appointed skipper. Bond had taken the smack to sea from Fleetwood without his authority and if he had known he would have prevented him from going as he had discharged Bond from another boat in July for drunkenness. Armour had written and telegraphed Bond to bring the boat home from Whitehaven, also a letter was all sent by Lawrence Bond Snr asking James to stop drinking and bring the boat home. The Court heard further evidence from crew members Charles Sandham, cook and Lawrence Bond Jnr, fourth hand of the BADGER and from Robert Wright, cook of the Fleetwood smack MAY FLOWER, (FD8) also in Whitehaven. In mitigation James Bond endeavoured to make out that they had stopped in Whitehaven to mend their nets, but the Court considered charges proved, and suspended the certificates of Bond and Wignall for six months. The smack had returned to Fleetwood on December 10th.
27.2.1896: TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. FISHING SMACK “BADGER” OF FLEETWOOD. MESSRS JACKSON & MURRAY will SELL BY AUCTION, by order of the Mortgagee, on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1896, as she now lies at the Sugar Tongue, Whitehaven, all that FISHING SMACK “BADGER,” of Fleetwood, together with all Sails, Ropes, Lamps, Fishing Gear, &c. The Smack has lately undergone extensive repairs, has been working out of the Port for the last four months, and is open for inspection up to the day of the sale. Gross tonnage 34.46, but has been altered to meet the Board of Trade requirements to come under 25 Tons Register. Sale at 1.30pm. Terms – Cash. Sold to James Armour & others. James Armour managing owner.
1897: Fleetwood registry closed.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
18/08/2022: Significant history update.

sv Ashby GY359

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 99174
Completed: 1891
Net tonnage: 45
Length: 62.5 ft
Breadth: 17.9 ft
Depth: 8.45 ft
Rig: Ketch
Built: J. E. Furner & L. W. Lever, Grimsby
Note: Last Fleetwood smack trawling under sail

History

1891: Completed by James Enoch Furner & Levi Walter Leaver, Grimsby for James Enoch Furner, 45 Orwell Street, Grimsby, L. W. Leaver, 80 Ascough Street, West Marsh, Grimsby, R. Sleight & J.B. Jones, Grimsby (J. E. Furner managing owner) as ASHBY.
17.8.1891: Registered at Grimsby (GY359). Fishing out of Grimsby.
23.9.18953: In the morning in collision with Grimsby smack BEATRICE MABEL (GY117). The latter was damage but former escaping unscathed.
24.11.1896: Homeward to Grimsby in extraordinary foggy weather, anchored out of the line of shipping near the Binks, east of Spurn Point. Warning bell being rung. At about 8.00am the Glagow registered coasting steamer TURTLE (146grt/1893) appeared close by steaming towards the land on what was deemed to be a dangerous course. The TURTLE closed the smack and hailed her, the master asking the way as he was Hull bound and other conversation took place. This resulted in the second hand being transferred to the steamer to take her to a pilot. When the master saw the young looking hand he hesitated, but in order to get the advantage of the experience of the skipper he agreed to tow the smack into Grimsby. It was claimed that the skipper directed the course. On arrival at Grimsby the skipper asked what the master was going to pay for his services. The master was most unhappy and retorted that the smack had had a ‘tow up’.
30.7.1897: At the Hull Admiralty court an action was brought by the skipper and crew against the TURTLE with respect to services rendered. There was a counter-claim for the towage of the smack. The plaintiff’s case was that the TURTLE was a complete stranger to the locality, that the steamer was in great danger and, must have been lost owing to the fog, also not being able to take a pilot being outside the cruising area. The services of the smack it was contended were valuable and the steamer had been rescued from a position of danger. The counter-claim was for towage of the smack into Grimsby. The defendants urged that no salvage services were rendered or whatever services were rendered were under an agreement in exchange for towage. Having heard all the evidence from both parties, judgement was given for the defendants.
6.1899: Sold to William J. Armitage, 13 Sea View, Hoylake. Landing at Fleetwood.
1919: Sold to Samuel E. Dutton, Vynor Road, Bidston, Birkenhead (Herbert Pritchard, 88 Giglow Road, South Stanley. Liverpool, manager).
10.1929: Fishing in Morecambe Bay (Sk. Sam Colley) Reported that when fishing some 15 miles SW of the Lune lightship in company with the auxiliary smack MARGARET (FD208) (Sk. William Leadbetter), while preparing to make the first haul of the day, the mainmast broke. A serious incident was avoided by the jib halyards preventing the mast falling on to the crew on deck. Managed to return to Fleetwood unaided.
1.11.1929: Reported that with so few smacks left in the port, it has not yet been possible to secure a mast of suitable proportions. Inquiries have been made in Liverpool, Preston and other NW ports.
3.1930: Reported laid up at Fleetwood “unprofitable to run”.
4.11.1930: Sailed for the fishing grounds in company with LORD MARMION (FD131) and the auxiliary smack HARRIET (FD111).
5.11.1830: In the early hours, about 4.00am, fishing some 40 miles from Fleetwood, some miles away from the other two smacks, weather conditions deteriorated. Hauled gear. HARRIET, sizing up the situation it was agreed that she would take the LORD MARMION in tow for home. Closed the LORD MARMION, connected and after a six hour tow arrived safely in port. ASHBY, with her gear stowed and under reduced sail arrived off the Wyre Light, taken in tow by the steam tug CLEVELEYS ((292grt/1902)) and brought safely into Fleetwood.
3.9.1934: Sailing as a private vessel (Capt. S. E. Dutton master/owner). Crew included Mr C. Boyd, Liverpool and Mrs Dutton. Anchored off Fleetwood but realising that they would take the ground, weighed anchor and tried to get into harbour.
4.9.1934: When it came light put out into very heavy seas, rolling with rails under and drifted on to the bank. Laid out kedge and got off on the flood and anchored close to the line of steamer traffic. The Harbour Master, Capt. J. Maskell, sent out instructions for the smack to be moved. As darkness approached the crew weighed anchor but drifted and fetched up on Barnett Bank. The Fleetwood Lifeboat, SIR FITZROY CLAYTON, (Cox. Leadbetter) stood by until the smack refloated and re-anchored in the Wyre Channel.
6.9.1934: On the evening tide arrived Fleetwood and reported that they had had a very rough passage from Liverpool. The mainsail was blown away in a squall and the punt on deck filled with water. Capt Dutton had facial injuries, having been struck by the foresail bulls-eye block during a squall.
1936: Laid up.
1940: Sold to W. A. Jones & Irene F. Jones, Parkgate.
5.1940: Converted to auxiliary motor.
4.5.1940: Re-registered as auxiliary motor at Grimsby (GY359).
By 31.8.1948: Not listed.

Click to enlarge image

sv Ashby GY359

sv Ashby GY359
Image from the Internet

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
26/10/2014: Information amended.
12/08/2022: Substantial update to history.

sv Ariel FD25

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 67449
Completed: 1874
Net Tonnage: 47
Rig: Ketch
Built: Robert Moore, Dartmouth

History

2.1874: Launched by Robert Moore, Dartmouth for Hewett & Co Ltd, London as ARIEL.
3.1874: Completed.
17.3.1874: Registered at Yarmouth (YH586).
17.3.1874: Appropriated.
1.1.1875: Owned by John Hillyard, Gorleston.
6.2.1877: Damaged in the violent gale that caught the Gt. Yarmouth fleet under sail with gear down, causing considerable damage and some loss of life.
1879: Owned by William H. Page, The Whim, High Street, Gorleston and others.
21.10.1879: At Gt. Yarmouth Magistrates Court, Alfred Wood, fisherman was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment for refusing to go to sea in the smack.
1.1.1883: Sold to Joseph E. Horne, 37 Duncombe Street, Grimsby.
1.1.1888: Owned by Joseph E. Horne, 20 Stanley Street, New Clee.
22.6.1888: Reported sold to John Iddon, 19 Henry Street, Fleetwood and others. At Fleetwood. John Iddon managing owner. Yarmouth registry closed.
1.9.1888: Registered at Fleetwood (FD25).
1897: John Iddon died.
13.8.1897: TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr Robert Westby, at the FIELDEN FREE LIBRARY, Fleetwood on FRIDAY, the 13th day of August 1897 at Three o’clock in the afternoon prompt, subject to the Public Sale Conditions of the Preston Law Society, and to such other conditions as may then and there be produced. Lot 3. – The Wooden SAILING TRAWLER; “ARIEL”, of Fleetwood, 46 tons register, 65 feet 6 inches long, 17 feet 7 inches beam and 8 feet 9 inches depth of hold, built at Dartmouth in 1874. This boat is strongly built and provided with all necessary Sails, Working Gear, etc and is at present fishing off the Bristol Channel. Lot 4. – The Wooden SAILING TRAWLER; “BEAVER”, of Fleetwood, 46 tons register, 59 feet 4 inches long, 17 feet beam and 9 feet 31/2 inches depth of hold, built at Brixham in 1869. She is also a fine working boat boat and provided with all necessary Sails, Working Gear, etc and is now engaged fishing off the Bristol Channel. Both boats were managed and owned by the late Captain Iddon, having been thoroughly kept up and are well known as handy and profitable Trawlers. For further particulars as to lots 3 and 4 apply to Mr T. Fisher, Shipowner, Fleetwood or J. H. Nicholson, Solicitor, Albert Square, Fleetwood.
6.9.1897: Arrived Glasson Dock from Fleetwood (Sk. George Fogg) for docking and survey by Nicholson & Sons.
15.9.1897: Sailed Glasson Dock for Fleetwood (Sk. George Fogg).
13.10.1897: Sold to Richard Ashcroft & George Fogg, Fleetwood (George Fogg/J. R. Wright, skippers). Richard Ashcroft managing owner.
1.9.1900: At Glasson Dock.
8.8.1904: Arrived Glasson Dock from Fleetwood (Sk. George Fogg) for docking and survey by Nicholson & Sons.
17.12.1904: Tonnage altered to 24.51net per Certificate of Survey dated 6th Dec.1904.
1914: Sold for for breaking up.
5.2.1914: Fleetwood registry closed “Boat broken up. Advice received from owner.”

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
26/10/2014: Information amended.
10/08/2022: Substantial update to history.