Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Albatross (2) FD353

Additional information courtesy of Göran Olsson and Gary Hicks (Plymouth Merchant Ships)

Technical

Official Number: 119346
Yard Number: 419
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 220
Net Tonnage: 68
Length: 120.2 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Engine: 380ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

24.1.1906: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.419) for James Chant (32/64), Plymouth & Thomas Paddon (32/64), South Brent as ALBATROSS.
2.1906: Completed.
21.2.1906: Registered at Plymouth (PH17).
28.2.1906: James Chant designated managing owner.
2.4.1906: James Chant (32/64) shares mortgaged to Mary Jane Paddon, South Brent for the sum of £1000 with interest at 5% (A).
10.8.1908: Vessel mortgaged 64/64) to Lloyds Bank Ltd, London (B).
15.11.1909: When trawling 250 miles WbyS from St. Ann’s Head in collision with steam trawler St. BRIDE (M88) which was hauling, sustaining damage to bow plating.
24.9.1912: Mortgage (A) discharged.
26.9.1912: Sold to Chant & Paddon Ltd (64/64), Plymouth.
10.10.1912: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Lloyds Bank Ltd, London (C).
12.10.1912: Mortgage (B) discharged.
26.12.1912: James Chant & Herbert William Chant appointed managers.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 88.39 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.919). Based Milford Haven.
2.1915: Renamed ALBATROSS II.
11.9.1916: Mortgage (C) discharged.
26.10.1917: Sold to Arthur Andrew & Cecil Whittaker Barratt, Fleetwood (joint owners 64/64).
27.10.1917: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (D).
8.11.1917: Joseph Alan Taylor, Fleetwood appointed manager.
14.9.1918: Arthur Andrew died. Shares (32/64) transferred to Cecil Whittaker Barratt (64/64). Fleetwood.
By 12.3.1919: Returned and reverted to ALBATROSS (PH17).
3.11.1919: Plymouth registry closed.
4.11.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD353).
19.4.1921: Sold to Swan Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
1924: Sold to Fiskeri A.B. Gamen, Säffle, Sweden (Hugo Silven, manager).
1.2.1924: Fleetwood registry closed.
2.1924: Registered at Säffle (KD2).
1.1928: Sold to Trål A.B. Skagen, Gothenburg (Albert Billner, manager). Säffle registry closed. Registered at Gothenburg (GG83).
10.1928: Sold to Stephen Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen.
10.1928: Gothenburg registry closed.
12.11.1928: Registered at Aberdeen as CRISABELLE STEPHEN (A374).
3.1.1933: Returned to Aberdeen with stem and bow plating damaged having been involved in a collision with an unknown vessel in dense fog.
16.1.1939: Left Aberdeen for fishing grounds in thick mist and heavy seas (Sk. F. Fraser); nine crew. At about 6.30 p.m. ran onto rocks at Scaurs of Cruden, south of Peterhead. At about 8.00 p.m. came afloat under own power. Two vessels in attendance and trawler EAST COAST (A935) connected for 14 mile tow to Aberdeen. After an hour and a half, Sk. Fraser requested that vessel be beached, but she started to settle and foundered in under three minutes. Men were seen in the water and Wemys, a fireman from the EAST COAST, jumped in to try and save the men but had to be hauled back, one man picked up but died onboard. All nine crew members were lost*.
15.2.1939: Aberdeen registry closed.

(* Sk. Francis Fraser (54); George MacKenzie (38), Mate; G. W. Fraser (32), 2nd fisherman; John W. Pirie, Ch. Eng; George Proctor (44), 2nd Eng; Alex MacKenzie(42) and Charles Sievewright (58), deckhands; John Low (61), fireman, all of Aberdeen and James M’Pherson (43), cook of Fraserburgh.)

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S.T. Albatross FD353

S.T. Albatross FD353
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
30/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
14/06/2019: Minor update.

S.T. Lolist BCK29

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 136597
Yard Number: 589
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 338
Net Tonnage: 70
Length: 105 ft
Breadth: 21.2 ft
Depth: 11.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough

History

7.9.1914: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.589) for William Robbens & Sons Ltd, Lowestoft as LOLIST.
13.10.1914: Registered at Lowestoft (LT427).
10.1914: Completed. William Robbens designated manager.
13.2.1915: Fishing from Milford.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
18.12.1918: Last landing at Milford.
1919: Released.
2.10.1924: Off Lowestoft in collision with steam drifter PRIDE (LT471) which subsequently foundered. Crew picked up and landed Lowestoft.
1932: Sold to T. B. Bilton & Sons Ltd, North Shields. Robert Bilton designated manager.
14.5.1935: Homeward from the fishing grounds in a strong NE gale (Sk. John C. Anderson), nine crew, when off Blyth started to take in water in the engine room. Distress signalled by steam whistle and the nearby trawlers COPIEUX (SN157) (Sk. Turnbull) and AGNES H. HASTIE (SN187) responded. Assessing the situation, Sk. Anderson decided to abandon the vessel and launched the boat, five crew members pulled over to the AGNES H. HASTIE but shortly after boarding the trawler the boat was lost. It was necessary for the COPIEUX to close on the casualty to secure the tow, but the first attempt to connect was unsuccessful when the trawl warp parted under the initial strain. Coming alongside again the COPIEUX managed to pass another warp which was secured by the crew. Sk. Anderson fearing for the safety of the remaining crew, signalled for the AGNES H. HASTIE to come alongside and with some difficulty the four men were taken off, leaving only the skipper onboard. At about 5.12pm coastguards at Seaton Sluice reported that a steam trawler was in difficulties five miles east of the station. The trawler had been taken in tow but appeared to be sinking. The Tynemouth motor lifeboat HENRY FREDERICK SWAN was launched at 6.20pm and found the casualty about half a mile from the Tyne Piers. Escorted by the lifeboat, well down by the stern and swept by heavy seas at the bar, the casualty entered the Tyne and was berthed at Shields Engineering & Dry Dock Co Ltd quay, North Shields.
31.7.1937: Arrived North Shields at 6.30am. with heavy damage to stem and bow plating having been in collision in dense fog with T.I.C hopper ? at harbour entrance.
1938: Sold to Den Fishing Co Ltd, Dundee. Harry McFarlane designated manager.
1948: Sold to John Murray & L. G. Paterson, Buckie. Lowestoft registry closed. Registered at Buckie (BCK29). L.G.Paterson designated managing owner. 13.6.1949: First landing at Fleetwood, 235 boxes £887 gross (Andrew Wilson, Fleetwood managing agent).
28.4.1950: Last landing at Fleetwood, 150 boxes £452 gross
1951: Sold to Alexander S. Murray, Castleford.
By 7.1952: Sold for breaking up.

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S.T. Lolist BCK29

S.T. Lolist BCK29

Changelog
18/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
26/08/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Warbler LO251

Additional material courtesy of Mike Thompson, Barry Banham and Robert Durrant

Technical

Official Number: 133409
Yard Number: 153
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 192
Net Tonnage: 72
Length: 110 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Engine: T.3-cyl Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull

History

17.8.1912: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.153) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd (64/64), Hull as WARBLER.
1.10.1912: Registered at Hull (H507). John E. A. Kelsall, London & George Beeching, Hull appointed managers.
10.1912: Completed.
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.412). Based Devonport.
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 appointed 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.
22.10.1928: Robert Burton appointed 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).
16.12.1936: Sold by order of the mortgagees under mortgage (A) to Plymouth Mutual Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Plymouth.
21.12.1936: Arrived Plymouth in company with TANAGER (H134).
22.12.1936: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Harold Frank Hayward, London; Maud Florence Katherine Rogers, Corfe Castle and Ernest Norton, London (joint mortgagees) for £500 with interest at 5% (B).
5.1.1937: John Chant, Plymstock appointed manager.
10.12.1937: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to William John Waldron Modley and Richard Edward Stephen Morris, Plymouth (joint mortgagees)(C).
24.12.1937: Mortgage (B) discharged.
31.12.1937: Mortgage (C) discharged.
7.1.1938: Sold to Arthur Dexter, Brixham and Thomas Perrett, Newton Abbot (64/64 joint owners).
17.1.1938: Arthur Dexter appointed manager.
4.2.1938: Sold to Torbay Trawlers Ltd, Brixham.
15.2.1938: Arthur Dexter appointed manager.
28.2.1938: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (D).
4.3.1940: Mortgage (D) discharged. to Plymouth Mutual Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Plymouth.
9.3.1940: Sold to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London (Robert Scott Hewett & Harold Frank Hayward) (Sale sanctioned under Ref. 6165/40 dated 4th March 1940).
1.4.1940: Sold to Brandon Fishing Co Ltd, London. Robert S. Hewett, London appointed manager.
16.4.1940: Hull registry closed.
17.4.1940: Registered at London (LO251). Fishing out of Fleetwood.
28.4.1943: Typical wartime landing, Home Waters. 157 kits – hake-18, cod/coley-28, haddock-6, whiting-46, flats-8, ling/coley-39, roker-7, gurnard-5.
2.1952: Fishing from Lowestoft.
25.2.1954: At Lowestoft landed 4,120 stone grossed £1,644.
22.4.1957: At Lowestoft (Sk Arthur Larner) landed 2,350 stone grossed £2,157.
7.1958: London registry closed.
21.7.1958: Registered at Lowestoft (LT63).
25.7 1958: Sold along with the company to Alick King. Lowestoft (Robert Butcher, manager).
1958: Converted to motor by LBS Engineering Ltd, Lowestoft, fitted with 600bhp 2 SA 6-cyl oil engine by A. K. Diesels Ltd, Lowestoft, reversible trawl winch and adjustable blade propeller.
11.3.1959: Ran successful machinery trials. Transferred to Aberdeen to fish for George Robb & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen. Under Sk. Marshall Ryles fished the Faroe grounds.
1959: On completion of conversion, re measured 195.63grt 72.65n.
1.6.1960: In North Sea, in position 55.80N 04.00E in collision with motor trawler CUTTLEFISH (LT65), resulting in stem damage.
16.8.1960: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (E).
15.1.1962: Jean King, appointed manager.
19.10.1964: Mortgage (E) discharged.
20.10.1964: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (F).
16.3.1965: Disabled in North Sea, motor trawler ROSEVEAR (LT457) connected and delivered Lowestoft.
8.1965: At Lowestoft (Sk.George Quantock) top landing 211 kits grossed £2,140.
1967: Fitted out for standby safety role for offshore platforms, gallows removed, etc.
1.2.1968: Sold to Frederick Ernest Catchpole, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft.
2.1968: Offshore platform standby/safety duties.
6.2.1968: Mortgage (F) discharged.
21.12.1968: Sold to Peter Catchpole (22/64) & George Catchpole (21/64), Oulton Broad, Lowestoft and John Randolph Hashim (21/64), Beccles. Laid up.
8.1970: Re-activated for offshore platform standby/safety duties.
1975: Sold to T. G. Darling Ltd, Oulton Broad for breaking up at Nelson’s Wharf, Oulton Broad by East Anglian Reclaimation Ltd.
10.2.1975: Lowestoft registry closed.
14.6.1976: Breaking up completed.

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S.T. Warbler LO251

S.T. Warbler LO251
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo collection

S.T. Warbler LO251

M.T. Warbler LT63
Picture from the Internet

M.T. Warbler LT63

M.T. Warbler LT63
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
17/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
25/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
14/08/2021: Updated history.

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. Unitia GY924

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and Douglas Paterson

Technical

Official Number: 135970
Yard Number: 269a
Completed: 1913
Gross Tonnage: 296
Net Tonnage: 122
Length: 130.2 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 540ihp T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

19.7.1913: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.269A) for The Great Grimsby & East Coast Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as UNITIA.
16.9.1913: Walter William Butt appointed manager.
17.9.1913: Registered at Grimsby (GY924).
9.1913: Completed (Walter W. Butt, manager).
12.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.699). Based Lowestoft.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
5.1923: New boiler fitted.
26.8.1926: Vessel mortgaged ((64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
3.4.1938: Albert W. Butt appointed manager.
28.5.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an anti-submarine trawler (Hire rate £76.9.4d/month). Renamed PORTIA.
2.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.1852).
1.12.1941: Mortgage (A) discharged.
14.1.1942: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
22.1.1942: Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys appointed manager.
1.1946: Returned after survey and restoration at Liverpool. Reverted to UNITIA (GY924).
25.3.1946: Sold to Nordic Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), London.
29.3.1946: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood for the sum of £11,000 with interest at 4% (B).
3.4.1946: Ernest John Williams, Coulsdon, Surrey appointed manager.
10.1946: On a trip to West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Harold Harrison).
31.10.1946: Responded to request for assistance from the Icelandic trawler GODEBORG, disabled off Barra Head with damaged rudder and bound Fleetwood to land. As Icelandic skipper spoke very little English put two men onboard GODEBORG, to maintain radio communications, the bosun and skipper’s brother Jack Harrison, who spoke a little Icelandic and deckhand Thomas Harrison. Connected and commenced tow but weather worsened and had to put back in the Sound of Islay and cruise all night as not fit to anchor and weather too bad to proceed.
1.11.1946. Got underway but in poor weather tow was slow and about 300 fathoms of wire was lost due to ‘stranding’.
2.11.1946: Arrived safely off Wyre Light.
3.11.1946: With GODEBORG lashed alongside poceeded to Wyre Dock on morning tide.
4.11.1946: GODEBORG landed 7,000 stone of cod and haddock.
17.7.1947: Mortgage (B) discharged.
28.7.1947: Sold to Edna Deep Sea Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), London.
28.7.1947: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Nordic Fishing Co Ltd, London (C).
11.8.1947: Maurice Bigio appointed manager.
20.2.1948: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (D).
16.9.1948: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (E).
20.9.1948: Mortgage (C) discharged.
23.9.1948: Mortgage (D) discharged.
11.8.1949: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (F).
2.11.1950: Mortgage (E) discharged.
2.11.1950: Mortgage (F) discharged.
9.11.1950: Sold to Craig Stores (Aberdeen Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen (Joseph Craig, manager).
25.11.1950: Grimsby registry closed.
29.11.1950: Registered at Aberdeen (A663).
31.1.1951: Sold to Kinbrace (Fishing) Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen (Joseph Craig, manager).
24.5.1952: When in transit through Westray Firth, stranded on rocks between the islands of Rousay and Egilsay.
9.6.1952: Refloated and delivered at Kirkwall.
1954: Sold to Belgian shipbreakers for breaking up.
4.6.1954: Aberdeen registry closed.

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S.T. Unitia GY924

S.T. Unitia A663
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T.Unitia GY524

S.T.Unitia GY924
Picture by Steve Pulfrey courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

Changelog

17/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
28/04/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
09/08/2021: Updated history.