Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Fane (1) FD94

Technical

Official Number: 124686
Yard Number: 259
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 268.81
Net Tonnage: 94.98
Length: 130.7 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Built: J. Eltringham & Co, South Shields
Engine: 400ihp T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields
Boiler: J. T. Eltringham & Co, South Shields

History

31.1.1907: Launched by J. T. Eltringham & Co, South Shields (Yd.No.259) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (64/64) as FANE.
9.3.1907: Registered at Fleetwood (FD94).
9.3.1907: Richard C. Ward & John N. Ward designated joint managers.
3.1907: Completed.
24.2.1909: John Nixon Ward designated manager.
10.4.1912: Magnus B. J. Wedum designated manager.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 107.54net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.132).
1914: Based Portsmouth.
23.12.1916: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Co Ltd, Manchester (A).
1918: Based Portland.
1.1919: Returned to owner.
29.1.1919: Mortgage (A) discharged.
12.2.1919: Sold to George Craig (64/64), Aberdeen.
21.2.1919: George Craig designated managing owner.
22.4.1919: Fleetwood registry closed.
10.6.1919: Registered at Aberdeen (A184).
1924: Sold to Vinzenz Putz & Co Hochseefischerei A.G., Wesermünde.
15.3.1924: Aberdeen registry closed.
3.1924: Renamed IRMGARD PUTZ (PG348).
1929: Lengthened to 147.1 feet , 298g.
1930: Sold to “Nordsee” Deutsche Hochseefischeri, Bremen-Cuxhaven A.G., Cuxhaven. Renamed ESSEN (HC222).
1934: Transferred to Deutsche Heringsfischeri GmbH, Nordenham. Registered at Nordenham (ON160).
1938: Registered at Hamburg (HH228).
8.1939: Requisitioned by German Navy.
1948: Sold to A. Ritscher, Altona for breaking up.
1950: Breaking up completed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Fane FD94

S.T. Fane FD94
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Fane FD94 as Essen entering Bremerhaven

S.T. Essen HC222 entering Bremerhaven
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Fane FD94

S.T. Fane FD94
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
15/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
16/08/2020: 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. Donalda GY149

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 136011
Yard number: 301
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 225.9
Net Tonnage: 112.84
Length: 117.0 ft
Breadth: 22.0 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 460ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 9.5 knots

History

28.3.1914: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.301) for Alick Black (64/64), Grimsby as DONALDA.
6.1914: Completed.
15.6.1914: Registered at Grimsby (GY149).
15.6.1914: Alick Black designated managing owner.
18.6.1914: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The Union of London & Smiths Bank Ltd, London (A)
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.1760).
13.5.1915: Commissioned at Grimsby.
15.5.1915: Arrived Devonport. Fitted with Hotchkiss 3pdr gun (No.5648) and mine-sweep.
1.1916: Allocated Unit No.63 – Section C based Devonport (Sk. H. Bailey RNR).
3.1.1916: Mortgage (A) discharged.
6.1.1916: Sold to Alfred William Baxter (64/64), Grimsby.
7.1.1916: Alick Black appointed manager.
12.1.1916: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (B).
14.1.1916: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Alick Black, Grimsby for the sum of £2000 with interest at 5% (C).
By 10.1916: Based Devonport – Unit No.121 ‘Trawler Sweepers’ (Sk. H. Bailey RNR).
5.4.1917: Mortgage (C) discharged.
5.1.1918: Mortgage (B) discharged.
23.1.1918: Sold to William Hill (64/64), Grimsby.
28.1.1918: William Hill designated managing owner.
12.4.1918: Sold to Victorian Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
15.4.1918: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London Joint Stock Bank Ltd, London (D).
20.4.1918: William Hill appointed manager.
1919: Port for landing Stores, Armament and Moveable Fittings – Devonport. Port for Demobilising Personnel – Grimsby.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
27.10.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Hill, Grimsby for the sum of £666.13.4d with interest at 121/2% (E).
27.10.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Arthur Scales Johnson, Sturton-by-Scawby, Brigg, Richard Shute and William Byron Turner, Cleethorpes (jointly) for
the sum of £1000 with interest at 121/2% (F).
27.10.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Hill, Grimsby for the sum of £333.6.8d with interest at 121/2% (G).
23.8.1921: Mortgages (E), (F) and (G) discharged.
23.8.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Hill, Grimsby for the sum of £500 with interest at 121/2% (H).
23.8.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William Hill, Grimsby, Arthur Scales Johnson, Sturton-by-Scawby, Brigg, Richard Shute and William Byron Turner, Cleethorpes (jointly) for the sum of £1000 with interest at 121/2% (I).
1.12.1921: Mortgages (H) and (I) discharged.
18.12.1929: Mortgage (D) discharged.
19.12.1929: Sold to Lindsey Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
20.12.1929: Edwin Bacon Snr designated manager.
15.4.1931: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Edwin Bacon Snr, Grimsby (J).
21.4.1940: Mortgage (J) discharged.
24.12.1941: Sold to The Active Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
7.1.1942: Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Cleveleys designated manager.
8.7.1942: Sold to Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Hull.
11.7.1942: Archibald Hudson, Hessle designated manager.
22.12.1942: Grimsby registry closed.
23.12.1942: Registered at Hull (H12).
1943: Landing at Hull from Iceland/Faroe – 11 trips, 11,397 kits.
1945: Rebuilt with wheelhouse moved before funnel.
7.1945: Sold to Grimsby Motor Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
26.7.1945: Harvey Wilfred Wilson appointed manager.
22.11.1945: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (K).
7.1945: Hull registry closed.
26.7.1945: Registered at Grimsby (GY78).
30.12.1947: Mortgage (K) discharged.
30.7.1949: Sold to Trawlers Grimsby Ltd (64/64), Grimsby. Harvey Wilfred Wilson appointed manager.
10.4.1953: Sold to Derwent Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
11.4.1953: Harvey Wilfred Wilson appointed manager.
9.2.1953: John Carl Ross appointed manager.
1957: Sold to BISCO and allocated to C. W. Dorkin & Co Ltd, Gateshead for breaking up.
31.1.1957: Delivered Gateshead from Grimsby under own power.
17.3.1957: Grimsby registry closed “Vessel broken up”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Donalda GY149

S.T. Donalda GY149
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T. Donalda GY78

S.T. Donalda GY78
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
18/11/2015: Added picture.
26/04/2020: Information updated.

S.T. Dean Swift FD29

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger and Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 109030
Yard Number: 204
Completed: 1898
Gross Tonnage: 181
Net Tonnage: 74
Length: 110 ft
Breadth: 21 ft
Depth: 11.3 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Speed: 10 knots

History

26.2.1898: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull (Yd.No.204) for The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as the CITY OF HULL.
26.5.1898: Registered at Hull (H396). John A. Laverack designated manager.
5.1898: Completed.
27.5.1907: Sold to Dublin Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Dublin.
5.2.1908: Hull registry closed.
2.1908: Registered at Dublin as DEAN SWIFT (D335). Arthur Richardson, designated manager.
14.1.1911: Arrived Dublin with crew of Liverpool owned, Glasgow registered steamer TURTLE (146grt/1893), Annalong for Birkenhead, cargo potatoes, which foundered off Carlingford Lough, Co. Down.
1913: Fishing from Fleetwood.
1915: Fitted with new deck.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released.
1922: Company restructured as Dublin Trawling, Ice & Cold Storage Co Ltd, Dublin. Arthur Richardson designated manager.
1926: Sold to Mrs J. M. F. A. Nierinck, Blackpool. Frank Thornley, Fleetwood designated manager.
1928: Sold to Thornley & Co, Fleetwood. Frank Thornley designated manager.
15.7.1928: Responded to distress from steam trawler HIDDENITE (FD180) ashore on rocks in Sound of Islay close to Port Askaig. In bad position and listing to starboard at low water. At high water connected and attempted to refloat but unsuccessful.
16.7.1928: Again attempted to refloat but without success. On arrival of a Glasgow tug, left the scene for Fleetwood.
1928: Sold to Dalby Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
5.1929: Dublin registry closed.
25.5.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD29). Bowden Ramster designated manager.
21.9.1934: Sidney Mungay lost overboard.
1939-46: Out of Fleetwood for much of war, fishing home waters.
24.5.1943: Typical landing. 243 kits, hake-99, cod/codling-24, haddock-4, whiting-26, plaice-12, ling/coley-35, roker-5, gurnard-8, dogs-30.
4.2.1957: Sheltering in Ramsey Bay (Sk. Jack Randles) assistance requested by ALCMARIA (LT48) (Sk. Leslie Hatcher), disabled off Maughould Head with boiler trouble. Steamed 40 miles in rough weather to arrive at the drifting ALCMARIA 11 miles NW of Morecambe Bay Lightship. At 6.00 pm. attempted to connect but line parted. At 8.30 pm. Sk. Hatcher sent SOS and at 10.00 pm Barrow lifeboat launched, also answered by RED SABRE (LO71) (Sk. Jim McKernan) outward for fishing grounds.
5.2.1957. At 3.00 am with Barrow lifeboat in attendance, after several attempts with rocket and barrel RED SABRE connected, but line carried away and fouled propeller. With Barrow lifeboat still in attendance and in moderating weather, Sk. Randles, connected at 5.00 pm. and towed to Fleetwood arriving just after midday.
20.1.1959: Sold to Hammond Lane Foundry Ltd, Dublin for breaking up.
27.1.1959: Delivered Dublin from Fleetwood under own power.
28.11.1959: Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Dean Swift FD29

S.T. Dean Swift FD29
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Dean Swift FD29

S.T. Dean Swift FD29
Picture courtesy of The Robert Durrant Collection

S.T. Dean Swift FD29

S.T. Dean Swift FD29
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 5 revisions since then.
12/04/2014: Second picture added.
01/12/2014: Information updated.
25/04/2017: Removed disputed image.
25/01/2019: Removed FMHT watermark and updated information.
07/06/2019: Added an image.
17/06/2019: Added an image.
07/04/2020: Updated information.

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.