Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Harry Melling FD397

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4219
Official Number: 144512
Yard Number: 204
Completed: 1920
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 125.3 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
History

29.5.1919: Launched by C. Rennoldson & Co, South Shields (Yd.No.204)(“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JOHN LEWIS (Ad.No.4219).
11.1919: Completed. Laid up.
04.1919: Offered for sale by tender, to be completed as a fishing vessel.
10.04.1919: Tenders closed at 12.00 noon. Not sold.
1. 1920: Renamed JOHN EVANS.
30.3.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel.
20.4.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I & IV) as JOHN EVANS O.N.144512 (LO348).
1920: Allocated to the National Fishery Scheme for the setting up of the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
1920: Fitted out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100 A1 Stm Trawler. Laid up.
13.08.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
11.1921: Sold to Melling Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Henry Melling, manager).
26.11.1921: London registry closed.
29.11.1921: Registered at Fleetwood (FD397).
24.12.1921: Registered at Fleetwood as HARRY MELLING (FD397).
18/19.2.1929: Stood by KUMU (FD176) stranded in North Bay, St. Kilda. Connected and attempted to tow clear but unsuccessful and vessel sank in about 20fms, 42 hours after striking the rocks. Twelve crew taken off along with over £200 of fishing gear and crew returned to Fleetwood.
9.10.1931: Sold to William Melling, Penwortham & Joseph Melling, Preston.
24.8.1932: Sold to Mellings Ltd, Fleetwood (William Melling, Penwortham, manager).
30.7.1935: Sold to Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
4.10.1935: Fleetwood registry closed.
9.10.1935: Registered at London (LO55).
8.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service, later fitted out on the Tyne as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.538) (Hire rate £89.7.6d/month) (Ty/Sk. B. Godfrey RNR). Based Stornoway.
26.1.1943: A/Capt Edward Douglas Wyndham Lawford RN awarded DSO for service in HMS POZARICA (P.No.4.261) A/A ship on Russian convoys.
7.1945: Returned and re-classed at Port Glasgow.
1945: Sold to Messrs Yolland & Llewellin, Milford Haven. Fishing from Fleetwood.
1.1.1946: Messrs Yolland & Llewellin partnership dissolved.
9.1.1946: Sold to J. C. Llewellin (Trawlers) Ltd, Milford Haven (John C. Llewellin, manager).
1948: Sold to Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, London (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, managers).
1951: The Hewett Fishing Co Ltd, London & Fleetwood appointed managers.
1955: Sold to Belgian shipbreakers for breaking up.
3.11.1955: Sailed Fleetwood for Ghent.
(John Lewis, OS (prest), age 29, b. Baltimore, America – VICTORY (SB272))

Note STATEMENT BY THE MASTER OF THE STEAM TRAWLER “THOMAS LEEDS”, March 12 th, 1930.
Whilst the trawler “THOMAS LEEDS” of which I am Skipper was fishing at the St. Kilda fishing grounds, in a position approximately forty five miles West by South of St. Kilda, and towing on a South South West course, the steam trawler “HARRY MELLING” of the port of Fleetwood, towing in a South South East direction passed astern of the “THOMAS LEEDS” fouling her fishing gear. While the two ships were heaving in their trawl warps in the process of clearing fishing gear, the steam trawler “PHRONTIS” from Fleetwood, FD142, apparently not knowing that the two ships’ fishing gear were foul, towed between the “THOMAS LEEDS” and “HARRY MELLING” and by doing so caused the three ships’ fishing gear to be fouled.
The “HARRY MELLING” was the first ship to heave the three ships’ gears up alongside his starboard side and he was plainly seen by myself and my crew to use a hatchet and deliberately chop the fishing gear of the “THOMAS LEEDS” away, causing one trawling board, one hundred fathoms of trawl warp, one set of bridles and full trawl to be lost.
The fouling of the gear was caused by the bad judgment on the part of the Skipper of the “HARRY MELLING”.
( Sgnd) Harry Gue, Skipper of the S/T “Thomas Leeds”.
Note (John Lewis, OS (prest), age 29, b. Baltimore, America – VICTORY (SB272))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Harry Melling FD397

S.T. Harry Melling LO55
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Harry Melling FD397

S.T. Harry Melling LO55
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Harry Melling FD397

S.T. Harry Melling FD397
Picture from the Internet

Harry and Lizzie Melling

Harry and Lizzie Melling
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
26/02/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Chieftain FD30

Additional information courtesy of George Westwood

Technical

Official Number: 121095
Yard Number: 86
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 278
Net Tonnage: 105
Length: 133.4 ft
Breadth: 22.3 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Built; Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 70nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Speed 10.5 knots

History

28.9.1905: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley (Yd.No.86) for The Marine Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as CHIEFTAIN.
2.12.1905: Completed (George Walton, manager).
11.12.1905: Registered at Hull (H847).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 112 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
1.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.945).
30.10.1918: Sold to Thomas Round, Roker, Sunderland (Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough, manager).
1919: Returned to owner.
7.2.1919: Hull registry closed.
10.2.1919: Registered at Scarborough (SH21).
14.2.1919: Sold to Thomas Round, Roker (48/64), Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough (16/64) (Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough, manager).
17.2.1919: Sold to Thomas Round, Roker (32/64), Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough (16/64) and Charles William Dorkin, Sunderland (16/64) (Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough, manager).
21.2.1919: Sold to Thomas Round, Roker (16/64), Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough (16/64), Charles William Dorkin, Sunderland (16/64) and George William Tindall, Scarborough (32/64) (Thomas Whitehead, Scarborough, manager).
10.1919: Sold to The East Riding Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Charles Hudson, Hessle, manager).
17.10.1919: Scarborough registry closed.
18.10.1919: Registered at Hull (H93).
1.924: Sold to Hudson Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Thomas Hudson, managers).
5.1926: Sold to Robson Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Robson Preston, Poulton-le-Fylde, manager).
27.5.1929: Hull registry closed.
28.5.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD30).
15.12.1932: Sold to Transvaal Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
1936: Sold for breaking up.
26.6.1936: Fleetwood registry closed, breaking up completed.

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S.T. Chieftan FD30

S.T. Chieftain H847
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T. Chieftan FD30

S.T. Chieftain FD30
Picture from the Osta Collection

S.T. Chieftain FD30

S.T. Chieftain FD30
Picture courtesy of The George Westwood Collection

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
24/08/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30

Technical

Official Number: 180326
Yard Number: 755
Completed: 1945
Gross Tonnage: 361
Net Tonnage: 139
Length: 136 ft
Breadth: 25.2 ft
Depth: 13.2 ft
Engine: 600IHP T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 11.7 knots
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell

History

22.9.1945: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.755) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as ABY.
26.11.1945: Registered at Fleetwood (FD138).
27.11.1945: Completed.
7.10.1946: Sold to Seddon Fishing Co Ltd, London & Fleetwood (B. Kilaczycki, London, manager).
14.2.1949: Sold to Neale & West Ltd, Cardiff.
14.2.1949: Fleetwood registry closed.
1949: Registered at Cardiff as CHAFFCOMBE (CF18).
1956: Neale & West Ltd closed their Cardiff base; vessels for sale.
20.6.1956: Sold to The Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager). Cardiff registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD30).
12.1956: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
1.1957: Registered at Fleetwood as BOSTON GANNET (FD30).
20.3.1963: Laid up in Glasson Dock.
10.1963: Sold to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
6.10.1963: Arrived Troon.
8.10.1963: Breaking commenced.
18.10.1963: First beaching.
31.1.1964: First reberthing.
15.4.1964: Second reberthing.
20.5.1964: Breaking up completed.

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S.T. Aby FD138

S.T. Aby FD138
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30

S.T. Boston Gannet FD30
Picture © Mike Helm

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
09/04/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images and added a picture.

S.T. Walter S Bailey FD19

Additional material courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 113643
Yard Number: 316
Completed: 1902
Gross Tonnage: 244
Net Tonnage: 98
Length: 125 ft
Breadth: 22 ft
Depth: 11.5 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull
Engine: 450ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Speed 10.5 knots

History

12.4.1902: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull (Yd.No.316) for The Humber Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as WALTER S. BAILEY.
23.5.1902: Registered at Hull (H546).
5.1902: Completed (R. H. Hobbs, manager).
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-6pdr HA) (Ad. No.265). Based Granton.
8.10.1916-11.10.1916: With HM Trawlers ROSSKEEN (Ad.No.633) (GN14); LARK II (Ad.No.408) (GY322) and ZONIA (Ad.No.265) (H546) assisted in salvage of Hartlepool steamer JUPITER (2124grt/1901) damaged by explosive charges placed by Uboat (UB27) (7.10.1916).
10.1917: Fitted out as a “Q” ship (1-4”, 1-12pdr, 1-3.5” A/S Howitzer) under names MAY FLOWER and W. S. BAILEY.
11.1918: Reverted to minesweeping role as WALTER S. BAILEY.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
11.12.1919: Sold to Fresh Fish Supplies Ltd, Hull (Thomas Nightingale, manager).
16.7.1924: Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Joseph A. Marr Jnr, manager).
2.10.1924: Hull registry closed.
9.10.1924: Registered at Fleetwood (FD19).
10.1930: Sold to Cyril Duggleby, Hull (managing owner).
29.10.1930: Fleetwood registry closed.
30.10.1930: Registered at Hull (H335).
1932: Sold to Viking Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull (James C. Wood & Kenneth Pocklington, managers).
25.1.1934: Hard aground on east side of Alexandra Dock entrance.
2.1935: Sold to Line Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
15.2.1935: Hull registry closed.
18.2.1935: Registered at Grimsby (GY129).
18.2.1935: Harry Markham Cook appointed manager.
11.3.1935: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Barclays Bank Ltd, London (A).
1. 3.1935: Registered at Grimsby as TROCADERO (GY129) (BoT Minute R.G.1073/1935 dated 22.2.1935).
6.9.1936: Stranded on south east coast of Iceland and became a Total loss; crew saved.
22.10.1936: Mortgage (A) discharged.
3.11.1936: Grimsby registry closed “Vessel stranded and became a total loss”.

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S.T. Walter S Bailey FD19

S.T. Walter S Bailey FD19
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Trocadero GY129

S.T. Trocadero GY129
Picture courtesy of The Steve Farrow Collection

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
13/08/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Oceanic FD187

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 105543
Yard Number: 26
Completed: 1896
Gross Tonnage: 167.75
Net Tonnage: 67.51
Length: 102.0 ft
Breadth: 21.0 ft
Depth: 11.0 ft
Built: Thomas Charlton, Grimsby
Engine: 320ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Thomas Charlton, Grimsby

History

3.1896: Completed by Thomas Charlton, Grimsby (Yd.No.26) for Richard Kelsall (64/64), Liverpool as OCEANIC.
18.3.1896: Registered at Grimsby (GY22). Richard Kelsall designated manager.
1896: Sk. John Reader convicted on charges of fishing in the Minches with beam trawl and name and number hidden.
12.12.1896: Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd formed.
23.1.1897: Sold to Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd (64/64), Manchester.
2.2.1897: John E. A. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood appointed managers.
25.8.1897: Grimsby registry closed.
4.9.1897: Registered at Fleetwood (FD187).
24.3.1899: Fleetwood registry closed. Transferred to fish out of Hull.
13.4.1899: Registered at Hull (H449).
25.8.1911: At Hull Police Court five crew members were charged with combining to disobey the lawful command of the skipper, Edward Gayfer. The trawler had arrived in the Humber from a North Seas trip but could not enter St. Andrew’s Dock due to a strike and anchored off. Despite being told not to touch the boat the defendents turned it out and proceeded ashore. The Magistrate fined Lawrence £4, Cosney £1, Cooper 30s, Storr 15s and Fox £1.
8.9.1911: Registered office transferred to Hull. George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London, designated managers.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 69.45net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a “Q” ship (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.391).
2.1915: Renamed OCEANIC II.
1915: Based Peterhead with Unit 41.
5.6.1915: Engaged and disabled a U-boat (U.14) by gunfire off Peterhead, which subsequently sank; one dead, twenty-seven survivors taken prisoner.
1.11.1915: Based Longhope with Unit 41.
9.1.1916: Based Malta with Unit 41. Based Aegean Sea.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull. Reverted to OCEANIC (H449).
7.6.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
7.6.1919: John Slater, London designated manager.
6.3.1923: Mortgagee re-styled as Westminster Bank Ltd, London.
28.4.1924: Mortgage (A) discharged.
5.1924: Sold for breaking up.
6.5.1924: Hull registry closed “Sold to Shipbreaker”.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Oceanic FD187

S.T. Oceanic H449 Picture from the Internet

S.T. Oceanic H449

S.T. Oceanic H449
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
17/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
06/07/2021: Updated history and technical details.