Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Swansea Castle LO124

Technical

Official Number: 128932
Yard Number: 479
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 256
Net Tonnage: 100
Length: 125 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

1912: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.479) for The Castle Steam Trawlers Ltd, Swansea as SWANSEA CASTLE.
11.6.1912: Completed (Crawford Heron, manager).
11.6.1912: Registered at Swansea (SA108).
8.11.1913: Mortgaged to De Eerste Nederlandsche Scheepsverband Maatschappij, Dordrecht.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
18.6.1917: Fitted with 6pdr gun and commissioned.
19.6.1917: Arrived Milford.
20.6.1917: Gun trials satisfactory.
1919: Released.
22.10.1918: Sold to Consolidated Steam Fishing & Ice Co (Grimsby) Ltd, Grimsby (John D. Marsden, manager).
1.4.1919: Mortgage discharged.
27.11.1923: Mortgaged to London Joint City & Merchants Bank Ltd, London.
9.1927: Owners re-styled Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (Sir John D. Marsden Bart, manager).
14.7.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.1817)(Hire rate £64.0.0d/month).
15.5.1942: Mortgage discharged.
10.6.1942: Sold to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London & Fleetwood (R. S. Hewett & H. F. Hayward)(Robert S. Hewett, manager).
10.6.1942: Swansea registry closed.
12.6.1942: Registered at London (LO124).
25.2.1946: Returned after survey and restoration at Liverpool.
2.1946: Registered at London as RODEN (LO124).
194?: (Wed) In gale force winds and poor visibility stranded on reef off Islay. (Tues week) Metal Industries (Salvage) Ltd steamer SALVEDA (782grt/1943) connected at 09.00a.m. (Wed week) Refloated at 07.00a.m. Returned to Fleetwood for repair with runner crew of seven.
2.1955: Sold for breaking up.

Click to enlarge image

HMT Swansea Castle

HMT Swansea Castle
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Swansea Castle LO124

S.T. Swansea Castle LO124
Picture courtesy of Angela Barnsby

S.T. Swansea Castle LO124

S.T. Swansea Castle LO124
Parade float picture courtesy of Angela Barnsby

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
18/08/2015: Pictures added.
24/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.

S.T. Swan FD116

Technical

Official Number: 124688
Yard Number: 96
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 270
Net Tonnage: 95
Length: 130 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Boiler: R. Stephenson & Co Ltd, Hebburn-on-Tyne

History

20.2.1907: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.96) for The Cygnet Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood as SWAN.
5.1907: Mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
10.5.1907: Registered at Fleetwood (FD116). Richard W. Mason appointed manager.
5.1907: Completed.
1.11.1911: Thomas Cardwell appointed manager.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 103.72 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.136).
12.1915: Renamed SWAN III.
1919: Returned to owner and reverted to SWAN (FD116).
1.11.1919: Mortgage (A). Mortgagee changed name to London Joint City & Midland Bank Ltd, London.
3.1921: Sailed Fleetwood for South West Irish grounds (Sk. H. Martin); eleven crew.
7.3.1921: In thick fog in the Western Approaches, approx 80 miles off Lands End, run down by Seattle registered steamer EDGEMONT (6865grt/1919), Baltimore for Antwerp, struck amidships and foundered in approx position 49°26N/11°14W. Six men lost and five put onboard the ARLEY (FD44) and returned to Fleetwood.
18.3.1921: Fleetwood registry closed.

(Lost. Sk. B(H) Martin; A. Wignall, Bosun; G. Bond, 2nd engineer; Wairing, fireman, McFallon, deckhand and T. Allen, cook.

Survivors. T. Welch, mate; R. Wilson, Chief engineer; Charles Thomas, deckhand; A. Cooley, deckhand and J. Morris, fireman.)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Swan FD116

S.T. Swan FD116

S.T. Swan FD116

S.T. Swan FD116
Picture courtesy of The Sankey Collection

Changelog
7/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
16/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Swallow FD167

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson

Technical

Official Number: 108523
Yard Number: 543
Completed: 1897
Gross Tonnage: 243
Net Tonnage: 79
Length: 133.7 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 10.8 ft
Engine: 550ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Edwards Bros, North Shields, 1897
Owner: Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Fleetwood

History

3.4.1897: Launched by Edwards Bros, Howden-on-Tyne (Yd.No.543) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Manchester as SWALLOW.
7.5.1897: Registered at Fleetwood (FD167).
5.1897: Completed (John E.A. Kelsall, Fleetwood, manager).
26.2.1898: Working as a fish carrier “fleeter” with the K&B fleet fishing off the Western Isles. Took onboard from trawler TEAL (FD166) survivors of trawler PLOVER (FD173) which had been run down the previous day by Norwegian steamer SAINT ANDREW (2984g/) off Dubh Heartach Light.
27.2.1898: Landed survivors at Fleetwood.
1899: Transferred to Hull (John E. A. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood, managers).
7.4.1899: Registered at Hull (H97).
12.5.1899: Fleetwood registry closed.
8.9.1911: Registered office transferred to Hull (George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London, managers).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 95.40 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
10.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.654).
13.11.1914: At Lowestoft, parent ship HALCYON.
30.3.1918: ‘Run down and sunk by steamer believed to be Norwegian AUDAX (928grt/1903) five miles to the south of Whitby at 0300.’ Crew saved. Steamer confirmed as AUDAX.
5.4.1918: ‘Ceased to be on Admiralty charter from 30th March 1918’.
14.5.1918: ‘Ceased to be on Admiralty charter on 29th March, and not on 30th as stated’.
18.5.1918: Hull registry closed “Vessel lost 29th March 1918 whilst under Admiralty Charter”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Swallow H97

S.T. Swallow H97
Picture courtesy of Nicolina

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
04/02/2016: Information updated.

S.T. Sturdee LT588

Technical

Official Number: 139345
Yard Number: 657
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 215
Net Tonnage: 88
Length: 115.4 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Engine: 74hp T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

12.6.1919: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.657) (“Strath” class) for The Admiralty as MICHAEL BRION (Ad.No.4430).
9.7.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel for Leonard C. Cockrell, Wivenhoe as STURDEE.
21.7.1919: Registered at Hull (H72).
1919: On registration at Hull measured 202g.
17.9.1919: Hull registry closed.
22.9.1919: Registered at Lowestoft (LT588).
12.1919: Sold to Vanessa Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Leonard C. Cockrell, manager).
1923: Sold to Arthur S. Bowlby, Harlow (Edward D. W. Lawford, c/o Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven, manager).
7.5.1925: Arrested for trawling inside the limits in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork (Sk. Henry A. Edward).
27.8.1925: Appeared at Bantry District Court and fined.
1930: Transferred to Fleetwood when Edward D. W. Lawford moved his vessels to the port.
1932: Laid up at Fleetwood.
9.1932: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
9.1932: Sold to John Gore, Aberdeen (managing owner).
5.11.1932: Lowestoft registry closed.
19.11.1932: Registered at Aberdeen (A219).
1933: Sold to Gorspen Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Alexander J. Spence, manager).
1937: Sold to Alexander A. Davidson, Aberdeen (managing owner).
25.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper; employed on auxiliary patrol duties (Nore/Harwich)(Hire rate £63.2.6d/month).
31.1.1940: Returned.
1940: Sold to T. W. N. Davidson, Aberdeen (Alexander A. Davidson, manager).
1940: Directed to Fleetwood under wartime controls (Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd, managers).
1944: Returned to Aberdeen.
1945: Sold to Looker Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Alexander A. Davidson, manager).
11.10.1956: Sailed Aberdeen on a North Sea trip (Sk.William Wilson); eleven crew.
19.10.1955: Arrived back off Aberdeen at 5.30 pm decided not to enter port but to drift in Aberdeen Bay until morning. Weather deteriorated in the evening, W to SW wind, moderate to heavy ground swell with poor visibility in passing rain showers. At about 9.30 pm. low water, stranded in a position to the northward of the Aberdeen North Breakwater . Crew of eleven* taken off by Aberdeen lifeboat HILTON BRIGGS (Cox. George Flett) and landed in Aberdeen.
20.10.1955: Catch landed.
10.1955: Declared a CTL and subsequently broken up in situ.
12/12.3.1956: At the Formal Investigation (S.435) held at Aberdeen, the Court found that the stranding and subsequent total loss was due to the fault of Sk Wilson and also of Reuben Rae, who had falsely claimed to hold a Second Hand’s Certificate. Sk. Wilson’s ticket was suspended for one year and Reuben Rae ordered to pay £15 towards the cost of the investigation.

(Crew* – All Aberdeen unless stated. Sk. William Wilson, Macduff; Reuben Rae, Mate; Charles Trowbridge, 2nd fisherman; John A. Reid, Buckie, Ch Eng; James Connell, 2nd Eng; Larry McEhatton, James Findlay, John Morrice, deckhands; Charles Shand, William Watt, firemen; Gordon Westland, cook.)

(Michael Brion, Landsman, age 25, b. Bandon, Co. Cork – ROYAL SOVEREIGN (SB728))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Sturdee LT588

S.T. Sturdee A219
Picture courtesy of Billy Worrall

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
25/06/2015: Picture added.
20/01/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Strathmartin A79

Technical

Official Number: 137151
Yard Number: 541
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 210
Net Tonnage: 90.41
Length: 115.50 ft
Breadth: 22.10 ft
Depth: 12.15 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

27.5.1914: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.541) for Aberdeen Steam Trawling & Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen as STRATHMARTIN.
7.1914: Completed. John Brown designated manager.
30.7.1914: Registered at Aberdeen (A79).
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.1573). Based Larne.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Aberdeen.
1938: W. Rhind appointed manager.
8.4.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol duties (Hire rate £56.0.0d/month).
9.4.1940: Returned to owner.
17.12.1942: Sold to The Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen. Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager. Fishing out of Fleetwood.
28.4.1943: Typical wartime landing, Home Waters. 403 kits – hake-20, cod/codling-18, ling/coley-359, roker-3, dogs-3.
29.3.1944: Requisitioned for war service as a smoke making trawler assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings (Hire rate £56.0.0d/month).
9.6.1944: Arrived Mulberry A from Yarmouth with Group A1. Employed smoke making with replenishment at Portland.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended. Fitted out as a fuel carrier (Esso).
30.9.1944: Returned to owner.
19.12.1944: Sold to David Wood, Aberdeen.
4.2.1946: Sold to David Wood (Aberdeen) Ltd, Aberdeen. David Wood designated manager.
21.3.1956: Sold to Alexander Flett, Alexander Bruce Jnr, George Craig, Gordon Peterson, Alexander Bruce Snr, Robert Carson Wilkie, David Wood, Rachel Grayson Knowles, Aberdeen & James Flett, Findochty.
18.7.1956: Sold to Bruce’s Stores (Aberdeen) Ltd.
7.12.1956: Sold to North Eastern Fisheries Ltd, Aberdeen. John A. Lewis, designated manager.
1960: Sold to BISCO (£2,415) and allocated to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd for breaking up at Charlestown, Fife (Contract No.92E).
17.12.1960: Delivered Charlestown from Aberdeen under own power.
17.2.1961: Breaking up commenced.
11.1.1962: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up.”Advice received from beneficial owner and shipbreaker.”

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
06/08/2021: Updated history and technical details.