Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Thrifty FD201

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson

Technical

Official Number: 149228
Yard Number: 999
Completed: 1916
Gross tonnage 138
Net Tonnage: 44
Length : 99.7 ft
Beam : 20.4 ft
Depth : 9.5 ft
Built: Gebrs Boot Schps “de Hoop”, Leiderdorp
Engine: T.3-cyl by NV Burgerhouts M & S, Rotterdam

History
1916 Completed by Gebrs Boot Schps “de Hoop”, Leiderdorp (Yd.No.999) for De Witte Ster, IJmuiden as BALTIC. Registered at IJmuiden (IJM255).
1920: Sold to Société Anonyme Pêcheries à Vapeur “Zeester”, Ostend. IJmuiden registry closed. Registered at Ostend as FERNANDE (O214).
1925: Sold to Union des Pêcheries Maritimes S.A., Fécamp (Roger Peltier, manager). Ostend registry closed. Registered at Fécamp (F??).
1928: Sold to Limburgia-Visscherij Maatschappy, IJmuiden. Ostend registry closed. Registered at IJmuiden as LIMBURGIA (IJM54).
1929: Sold to S. Allerton, R. Read & Fred Spashett, Lowestoft.
1929: Re measured 100.4 x 20.5 x9.8 feet – 139g 68n.
2.1930: IJmuiden registry closed.
27.2.1930: Registered at Lowestoft as THRIFTY (LT152).
1930s: Seasonal fishing from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent).
8.6.1930: On fishing grounds disabled with propeller fouled by fishing gear. Picked up by steam trawler DIANA (LO31) and delivered Douglas, IoM.
18.9.1933: At Fleetwood landed a 4 stone sturgeon in excellent condition, bought by Messrs Topham & Chadwick. Offered to the King and sent by rail to London for delivery to Buckingham Palace.
13.1.1934: Suffered broken propeller off Fleetwood.
16.7.1935: Disabled. Drifter/trawler AMALIA (LT241) connected and delivered Fleetwood.
18.12.1936: At Ramsgate with damaged propeller shaft.
11.4.1937: Suffered machinery damage in Morecambe Bay. Engineer awarded £3gns and fireman, £2gns for bringing vessel into port without assistance.
1.7.1938: Connected to steam drifter/trawler AMALIA (LT241) disabled with broken tailshaft and delivered
Fleetwood.
12.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY.1523) (Hire rate £33.10.0d/month).
6.1941: Based Portland (Ty/Sk. G. Corney RNR).
3.1944: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1.1944: Sold to Small & Co Ltd, Lowestoft.
4.1946: Returned to owner.
10.4.1946: Sold to Kittiwake Ltd, Lowestoft (R.H. Self, manager).
4.7.1947: In North Sea suffered boiler damage. Drifter/trawler NEVES (LT246) connected and delivered
Lowestoft.
22.11.1948: Damaged in collision with drifter/trawler STERNUS (LT238).
23.11.1948: Struck sunken block ship at West Entrance to Dover Harbour. Towed off by local motor boat with Dover lifeboat SOUTHERN AFRICA standing by.
28.11.1949: Disabled. Drifter/trawler TRIER (LT158) connected and delivered Lowestoft.
1956: Converted to motor and fitted with 4 stroke 3-cyl oil engine 300bhp by A. K. Diesels Ltd, Lowestoft
(engine made 1955).
1960: Sold to Alvis Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Lowestoft registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD201).
1966: Laid up at Ramsey, IoM.
3.1967: Company and vessel sold to Sk. Bert Andrews and Catherine Andrews, Fleetwood (with White Fish Authority loan). Registered at Fleetwood as CATHERINE SHAUN (FD201) after extensive refurbishment. First trip lasted 44 days with constant breakdowns and bad weather.
Early 1968: Transferred to fish out of Lowestoft. Involved in a collision with Lowestoft motor trawler SUTTON QUEEN (LT302).
21.6.1968: At Lowestoft for work by LBS Engineering Ltd and AK Diesels Ltd. Struck concrete steps in Fish Dock at Lowestoft. Attended by Caister Lifeboat to take off injured crewman. Off The Lizard started to take in
water, pump inoperative due to mechanical problem. Towed to Falmouth and beached. Repaired and sailed for
Fleetwood. Laid up.
1968: Surrendered to White Fish Authority and offered for sale.
1969: Sold to W. H. Kerr Ltd, Milford Haven.
5.5.1969: Sailed Fleetwood for Castle Pill, Milford Haven in tow of motor trawler DAWN WATERS (LT90).
6.5.1969: Arrived Milford from Fleetwood. Engine removed and vessel stripped of usable parts.
1970: Sold to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Castle Pill, Milford Haven. Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.D. Thrifty LT152

S.D. Thrifty LT152
Picture courtesy of The Mike Thompson Collection

S.D/T. Thrifty LT152

S.D/T. Thrifty LT152
Picture from the Internet

HMT Thrifty

HMT Thrifty
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Thrifty LT152

S.T. Thrifty LT152
Picture courtesy of the Billy Worrall collection

S.T Thrifty FD201

S.T Thrifty FD201
Picture courtesy of Hull Trawlers

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
12/03/2015: Picture added.
13/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks and updated text.
28/08/2017: Added an image.

S.T. Rowsley GY751

Additional information courtesy of Mick Downer

Technical

Official Number: 134746
Yard Number: 251
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 213.27
Net Tonnage: 89.08
Length: 117.2 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 420ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

17.8.1912: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.251) for John Lawrance Green (64/64), Grimsby as ROWSLEY.
5.10.1912: Registered at Grimsby (GY751). Alick (Alec) Black appointed manager.
5.10.1912: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Barclay & Co Ltd, London (A).
10.1912: Completed.
2.12.1912: Mortgage (A) discharged.
2.12.1912: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Somerville Letten & George Somerville Letten, Grimsby for the sum of £4000 with interest at 51/2% (B).
14.7.1914: Vessel mortgaged to William Somerville Letten & George Somerville Letten, Grimsby for the sum of £2250 with interest at 51/2% (C).
11.12.1914: Mortgages (B) & (C) discharged.
11.12.1914: Sold to Walter Harold Beeley (64/64), Grimsby. Walter Harold Beeley appointed manager.
14.12.1914: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London. (D).
21.12.1914: Mortgage (D) discharged.
22.12.1914: Walter Harold Beeley sold (32/64) shares to Rowland Hill, Grimsby.
22.12.1914: Walter Harold Beeley mortgaged (32/64) shares to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (E).
22.12.1914: Rowland Hill mortgaged (32/64) shares to Nation Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (F).
6.3.1915: Mortgage (E) discharged.
6.3.1915: Walter Harold Beeley sold (5/64) shares to Sk. John William Ashley, Grimsby.
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1665).
5.1.1917: Mortgage (F) discharged.
10.1.1917: Rowland Hill sold (32/64) shares to Sarah Ellen Hill, Grimsby.
6.1.1917: Sarah Ellen Hill mortgaged (32/64) shares to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (G).
8.4.1918: Mortgagee re-styled National Provincial Bank Ltd, London.
1919: Returned after survey and restoration at Southampton.
16.3.1920: Mortgage (G) discharged.
3.3.1921: Sk. John William Ashley sold (5/64) shares to Walter Harold Beeley, Grimsby.
1.8.1921: Walter Harold Beeley appointed manager.
1.4.1923: Sarah Ellen Hill (32/64) & Walter Harold Beeley (32/64) shares sold to Beeley & Sleight Ltd, Grimsby.
18.9.1923: George Lilmouth appointed manager.
26.7.1926: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (H).
1940: Directed to Fleetwood under wartime control.
29.5.1941: Mortgage (H) discharged.
5.6.1941: Sold to Basil Arthur Parkes (64/64), Fleetwood.
5.6.1941: Basil Arthur Parkes appointed manager.
7.10.1941: Sold to Great Western Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen but landing at Fleetwood and working Icelandic grounds.
16.10.1941: Basil Arthur Parkes appointed manager.
26.10.1944: Sold to The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
28.10.1944: John Wilcock Robinson appointed manager.
29.11.1944: Sold to Ribble Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
2.12.1944: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to District Bank Ltd, Manchester (I).
6.1947: Reported that Charles Brabber (50), North Albion Street, Fleetwood, cook, disappeared while the trawler was on the West of Scotland grounds. It is believed that he fell overboard unseen. Steamed to Oban to report loss.
8.12.1947: Stanley James Waltham appointed manager.
9.6.1949: Sydney Bennett appointed manager.
10.6.1953: Last landing at Fleetwood. Laid up.
16.7.1953: Sailed Fleetwood ??.
5.10.1953: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Rees Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Llanelli for breaking up.
13.10.1953: Mortgage (I) discharged.
3.1954: Breaking up completed.
21.6.1954: Grimsby registry closed “Vessel broken up.”

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Rowsley GY751

S.T. Rowsley GY751
Picture courtesy of Alan Hirst

S.T. Rowsley GY751

S.T. Rowsley GY751
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
21/06/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Rosetta FD100

Technical

Official Number: 124685
Yard Number: 273
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 236.16
Net Tonnage: 64.24
Length: 126.8 ft
Breadth: 22 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow

History

24.12.1906: Launched by J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.273) for Walter Henry Dickenson, Fleetwood & others (James Ormesher, Manchester (32/64); Mary H. Ormesher, Manchester (8/64); Joseph Dixon, South Shore, Blackpool (10/64); Margaret Rosetta Dixon, South Shore, Blackpool (7/64) and Walter Henry Dickenson, Fleetwood (7/64)) (trading as The Rossall Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood) as ROSETTA.
18.2.1907: All five shareholders mortgaged their shares to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (A), (B), (C), (D), (E).
21.2.1907: Registered at Fleetwood (FD100), Walter H. Dickensen, manager.
2.1907: Completed (Walter H. Dickenson, manager).
11.7.1908: John D. Gibson appointed Ship’s Husband.
30.10.1908: Registered owner Joseph Dixon, South Shore, Blackpool & Others (James Ormesher, Manchester (32/64); Mary H. Ormesher, Manchester (8/64); Joseph Dixon, South Shore, Blackpool (10/64); Margaret Rosetta Dixon, South Shore, Blackpool (7/64) and Walter Henry Dickenson, Fleetwood (7/64)) (trading as The Rossall Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood).
10.11.1908: Seven shares sold by Walter H. Dickensen to James Ormesher (4) and Mary H. Ormesher (3).
10.11.1908: Two mortgages for four & three shares to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (F) & (G).
19.11.1908: Walter H. Dickensen mortgage (E) discharged.
9.1.1912: Assisted steamer GLENESK (3524grt/1891) towing her to Moville, Co. Donegal. Crew received £825 salvage money.
14.1.1909: Mortgages (A), (B), (C), (D), (F) & (G) discharged.
10.8.1911: John D. Gibson appointed manager.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 94.69net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a net carrier (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.2340). Based Falmouth (Sk. George Arthur Novo RNR).
1917: On Special Service (“In view of enemy submarine activity in Trevose Head area, disguised and sent to fish in that vicinity, the 6pdr gun concealed aft, inside a collapsible boat built for the purpose”).
31.1.1917: Sailed Falmouth for patrol around Lizard Head.
1.2.1917: Having steamed NNE and seen nothing, altered to NE and sighted four smacks and a steam trawler and commenced fishing with them.
2.2.1917: In the early hours trawling some 26 miles NbyW from Trevose Head. At 4.00 am. hailed by steam trawler to cut gear as a submarine was 3/4 mile away having sunk the Lowestoft smack INVERLYON (LT687) and he had crew onboard. Continued with tow for 15 minutes before hauling, with last 20 fathoms trawl came fast. Reversed winch and freed at which time Mate, John Watterson, sighted a submarine surfacing 100 yards on starboard quarter. Downed the boat, manned the gun and commenced firing. First three rounds hit the submarine, the fourth caused an explosion and flames and a further four rounds were fired before the submarine pulled away and disappeared in the dark.
4.2.1917: After continuing search/trawling, left the area and came to Wolf Rock.
7.2.1917: Returned to Falmouth to land.
19.2.1917: Recommended that Sk. Novo and Mate, Watterson be awarded DSC and DSM respectively for their prompt engagement of the enemy submarine and a monetary award of £200 for crew.
25.2.1917: “The King has been pleased to award the Distinguished Service Cross to Skipper Novo, and the Distinguished Service Medal to Mr J. Watterson, Secondhand, Mate of the “ROSETTA”. It is further approved to award the sum of £200 to the “ROSETTA” …”. (Sk. G. A. Novo RNR, of Fleetwood, commissioned the ship in Fleetwood and served in her until her return).
1919: Returned to owner.
5.8.1919: Sold to Gerald W. Kelton, Dunsfold, Surrey.
8.8.1919: Fleetwood registry closed.
15.1.1920: Registered at Aberdeen (A266).
1924: Transferred to Grimsby (William F. Goodwin, manager).
9.6.1925: Off Newsand Buoy, Humber estuary, in thick fog collided with steam trawler CONQUEROR (GY1111) which subsequently foundered. Blamed for excessive speed.
1927: Re-measured 125.7 ft BP 246g 71n.
1927: Sold to J. Prentout & Cie, Fécamp (Société de Léché et Cie, manager).
11.2.1927: Aberdeen registry closed.
2.1927: Registered at Fécamp.
Pre 1930: Sold to Société de Léché et Cie, Fécamp.
Pre 1940: Sold to Société Les Boulonnais, Boulogne-sur-Mer. Registered at Boulogne.
1952: Sold for breaking up.

(Note: The only U-boat in the vicinity was U55 (Wilhelm Werner); there is no mention of this incident in U55’s KTB (War Diary). Could it be that ROSETTA snagged on wreckage from one of the smacks sunk by U55 on 30.1.1917 and 1.2.1917 in the vicinity, EUONYMUS (132764) (LT161); HELENA & SAMUEL (106434) (LT4); MERIT (109301) (BM28); TREVONE (128648) (LT453); W.A.H. (136610) (LT539); WETHERILL (127591) (LT98) and ADA (117369) (R184); INVERLYON (117495) (LT687), hauled the part submerged wreck to the surface and opened fire? Bearing in mind that the incident occurred at approx 4.30 am. on a dark February morning.)

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Rosetta FD100

S.T. Rosetta FD100
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
22/06/2015: Updated information.
22/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
24/07/2021: Upadted technical information.

S.T. Rattler FD199

Additional material courtesy of Mike Thompson

Technical

Official Number: 98735
Yard Number: 25
Completed: 1891
Gross Tonnage: 149
Net Tonnage: 48
Length: 100.5 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 10.7 ft
Engine: 45hp C.2-cyl and boiler by Muir & Houston Ltd, Glasgow
Built: Mackie & Thomson, Govan, Glasgow, 1891

History

22.3.1891: Launched by Mackie & Thomson, Govan, Glasgow (Yd. No.25) for William Lawson Robins, Hull & others (Robins family) as RATTLER.
5.1891: Completed at a cost of £1750 (William L. Robins, manager).
29.5.1891: Registered at Hull (H138).
1.4.1897: Alfred Robbins appointed manager.
7.12.1900: Sold to James Herbert Marr (64/64), Hull (managing owner) for £750. Transferred to Fleetwood.
7.12.1900: 48 shares mortgaged to John Craig & George H. Wood (Williams Deacon’s & Manchester & Salford Bank Ltd, Manchester), joint mortgagees (A).
21.12.1900: Running for shelter in Ramsey Bay in severe weather along with thirty other vessels, came into collision with Londonderry schooner MEDITERRANEAN (90tons/1867) which received severe damage.
28.12.1900: Hull registry closed.
29.12.1900: Registered at Fleetwood (FD199).
29.12.1900: Sixteen shares (J. H. Marr) sold to Ernest Tomlinson, Fleetwood (Fishing skipper).
1.1.1901: Sixteen shares (E. Tomlinson) mortgaged to James H. Marr, Fleetwood at 5% interest (B).
4.7.1902: James Herbert Marr appointed manager.
29.5.1902: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood on formation of company (James H. Marr appointed manager).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 55.16 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released (James A. Robertson, manager).
13.9.1929: Sold to John Wilcock Robinson & Frederick Richardson, Fleetwood for £750.
12.12.1930: Sold to Rattler Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (John W. Robinson, manager).
1932: Sold to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Preston.
27.1.1933: Fleetwood registry closed “Ship broken up and registry closed”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Rattler FD199

S.T. Rattler FD199
Picture courtesy of Alan Hirst

S.T. Rattler FD199

S.T. Rattler FD199
Picture courtesy of The Greenday Collection

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 7 revisions since then.
02/12/2014: Information updated.
14/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.

S.T. Junco LO200

Technical

Official Number: 139324
Yard Number: 182
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 191
Net Tonnage: 72
Length: 110.2 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 12.0 ft
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Engine: 300ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull

History

1917: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.182) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Hull as JUNCO.
12.1917: Completed.
27.12.1917: Registered at Hull (H587). George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London designated managers.
1.1918: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.1657). Based Portsmouth.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
7.6.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A). John Slater, London designated manager.
6.3.1923: Mortgagee re-styled as Westminster Bank Ltd, London.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to William Augustus Hayward, Eastbourne.
14.10.1927: Mortgage (A) transferred to Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd, London.
28.9.1928: Robert Burton designated manager.
16.9.1932: Charles Hugh Emerson appointed manager.
10.1932: Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd in liquidation.
1.11.1932: Mortgage (A) transferred to Harold Frank Hayward, London; Maud Florence Katherine Rogers, Chelsea and Ernest Norton, London (joint mortgagees). 3.1936: Combined boxing and trawling fleet of Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd consisting of 59 vessels laid up at Hull (declining catches, coal bill and increased maintenance costs had made the venture uneconomical).
6.3.1936: At Extraordinary General Meeting at Hull, Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd placed in Creditors’ Voluntary Winding-up (Richard Field Helm of Messrs Hodgson Harris & Co, London appointed liquidators).
3.2.1937: Sold by order of the mortgagee under mortgage (A) to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London (R. S. Hewett & H. F. Hayward) (About £800 for this vessel). Robert Scott Hewett designated manager.
11.4.1937: Arrived Fleetwood from Hull.
29.4.1937: Hull registry closed.
30.4.1937: Registered at London (LO200).
22.12.1939: Stranded on Knott Spit.
12.12.1940: Requisitioned for war service and employed on harbour defence duties (Hire rate £55.14.2d/month).
3.1941: Fitted out for anti submarine duties (P.No.FY.1830).
1944: Employed target towing.
5.1946: Returned and fishing out of Lowestoft.
10.1957: Sold for breaking up. London registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Junco LO200

S.T. Junco LO200
Picture courtesy of The Robert Hewett Collection

S.T. Junco LO200

S.T. Junco LO200
Picture courtesy of The Robert Hewett Collection

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
25/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
08/03/2021: Updated history and technical details.