Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Northern Rover LO164

Technical

Official Number: 165344
Yard Number: 553
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 254
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
6.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.553) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN ROVER.
2.11.1936: Registered at London (LO164). Operating out of Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
25.11.1936: First landing at Fleetwood, 1800 boxes grossed £572.
15.9.1957: Last landing at Fleetwood, 750 boxes grossed £422.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (William A. Bennett, manager). Transferred to Grimsby (H. Markham Cook, manager).
27.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for patrol duties (P.No.4.58) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
30.10.1939: Patrolling in the Fair Isle Channel (Lieut. M. H. Macpherson RN), twenty-six crew. At 23.35 when some 100 miles W of Sumburgh Head torpedoed by U-boat (U59) and foundered with loss of all crew *.
5.11.1939: The Admiralty announced that the vessel was overdue and must be presumed lost; next of kin informed.
2.2.1940: London registry closed.

(* MPK: Lieut Martin H. Macpherson RN; Actg Sub Lieut George B. Grey RNR; Temp Sub Lieut Geoffrey A. R. Darlow RNVR; Temp Lieut Albert E. White RNVR; Arthur F. Ethell, Ch. Eng; Robert Mackenzie, 1st Assist Eng; Joseph Wood, 2nd Assist Eng; Robert McDowell, Ch Steward; John Storr, P.O. Seaman; John W. Barnes, Ldg Seaman; Archibald J. Cairns, John G. F. Cargill, Thomas K. Cook, Harry Dodd, Percy Moore, Angus Paterson, George H. Pavey, William C. Penton, Kenneth Reddin, and Reginald H. Reynolds, Seamen; Leonard H. Stone, Signalman; Roger E. Thacker Telegraphist; Harold W. Baker, James H. Barton, Walter R. McDougall and Edward Wright, Firemen; John McLennan, Officers’ Steward.)

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Northern Rover LO164

S.T. Northern Rover LO164
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
14/06/2016: Minor information update.
26/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.

S.T. Northern Reward LO168

Northern Reward and U-47

Technical

Official Number: 165357
Yard Number: 555
Completed: June 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 243
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
6.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.555) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN REWARD. 19.11.1936: Registered at London (LO168). Operating out of Fleetwood. Edward D. W. Lawford designated manager.
19.11.1936: Arrived Fleetwood from Germany.
11.12.1936: First landing at Fleetwood, 550 boxes £820 gross.
6.3.1937: On an Iceland trip, fishing some 12 miles WNW off Utskalar (Sk.George D. Barker). At about 10.30 pm. picked up distress call from Grimsby steam trawler FAVORITA (GY1039) (Sk. Thomas William Norris) aground on Utskalar Reef (Skagi Reef) off Reykjavik. Hauled gear and steamed to towards given position. At about midnight, reached a position about 11/2 miles from FAVORITA and requested to lower a lifeboat as their own boat was damaged. In a nasty swell launched boat to go to her assistance. After the boat, with six crew, was in the water a crew member James Alfred Robinson (40), Grimsby was noticed foul of the after davit arm and the guardrail, he was released and taken to the after cabin but found to be dead.
7.3.1937: Eight survivors taken off by ship’s boat and remainder transferred by an Icelandic motor boat to ship. At 3.29 am. Informed Wick Radio “Re FAVORITA: all hands safe aboard NORTHERN REWARD. FAVORITA still ashore.” At 9.00am. landed survivors at Reykjavik.
14.9.1937: Last landing at Fleetwood, 400 boxes £617 gross.
10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London. H. Markham Cook, Grimsby designated manager.
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (1-4”) (P.No.4.85) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
5.9.1939: Lt Cdr. David Tod RN (rtd) appointed C.O.
23.3.1940: On contraband control between UK and Iceland spotted U-boat (U.38) on surface, engaged with 4” and gave chase but outrun by the submarine.
19.6.1940: Lt Cdr. Eric Arthur Divers RNR appointed C.O.
1940: Fitted out for anti-submarine duties (DC, ASDIC).
1.10.1940: Lieut. Charles Napier Stewart RNR appointed C.O. 1941: Operating in Northern Patrol Group based at Kirkwall.
7.3.1941: Returning from patrol in bad weather engaged submarine north of Rockall with depth charges; U-boat (U.47) was later reported missing in this position.
6.3.1942: Ty Act Lt Cdr. John Dobson RNR appointed C.O.
3.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy.
21.8.1942: Ty/Lieut. The Hon George Charles Spencer RNVR appointed C.O.
15.9.1942: Ty/Lieut. Bryan Humfrey Craig Rogers RNVR appointed Co.
10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy.
28.12.1942: Lieut. John Dodworth Weaver RNVR appointed C.O. Ty/Liet. James Mackenzie RNR appointed C.0.
1944: Assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
23.5.1944: Convoy escort duties in British waters and across the Channel in support of landings.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
2.9.1944: Ty/Lieut. Albert J. Woods RNVR appointed C.O.
10.11.1944: Escorting convoy UR-142 (New York, – Loch Ewe – Reykjavik) At 1207 when off Utskalar (Skagi), SW Iceland, attacked by U-boat (U.300 – Fritz Hein) and London registered steam tanker SHIRVAN (6017grt/1925) (Capt. Edward Fermor Pattenden) torpedoed and sunk – 18 dead 27 survivors. The Icelandic steamer GODAFOSS (1542grt/1921)(Capt. Sigurður Gíslason) against orders, stopped and picked up nineteen survivors. At 1459 GODAFOSS was sunk by torpedoes from U.300 – 25 dead 19 survivors. Survivors picked up by NORTHERN REWARD * and HMNoS HONNINGSVAAG (P.No.4.277) and landed at Reykjavik.
1945: Employed as ocean escort.
28.3.1945: Ty/Lieut. John E. Purvess RNR appointed C.O.
1945: Employed as ocean escort.
28.1.1946: Returned to owner.
12.1946: London registry closed.
12.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY431).
3.1947: Remeasured 625g 251n.
3.1947: Sold to H/F Vördur, Vatneyri, Iceland.
3.1947: Grimsby registry closed.
3.1947: Registered at Vatneyri as VÖRDUR II. (BA142).
1947: Registered at Vatneyri as VÖRDUR (BA142).
29.1.1950: Bound for England to land her catch, foundered 170 miles off the south coast of Iceland. Five crew lost and remainder picked up by a homeward bound Icelandic trawler.

Note * – Ldg Sea. D. Ledgerwood was awarded the BEM for his part in the rescue of the GODAFOSS survivors.

Click to enlarge image

S.T.Northern Reward LO168

S.T.Northern Reward LO168
Picture courtesy of The John Blant Collection

S.T. Northern Reward LO168

S.T. Northern Reward LO168
Picture courtesy of The Billy Worrall Collection

S.T. Northern Reward LO168

Northern Reward LO168
Skipper George D Barker
Picture courtesy of Andrew McInnes

JamesRobinson

JamesRobinson
Picture courtesy of The John Blant Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 4 revisions since then.
05/07/2014: Information updated.
23/07/2015: Picture added.
25/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
30/12/2020: Added image and updated history.
05/01/2021: Updated history.
22/02/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Northern Princess LO170

Technical

Official Number: 165375
Yard Number: 568
Completed: June 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 254
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
6.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.568) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN PRINCESS.
9.12.1936: Registered at London (LO170). Operating out of Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
06.01.1937: First landing at Fleetwood. landed 1,830 boxes grossed £1,180.
3.1937: Transferred to Hull (Boyd Line Ltd, managers).
24.3.1937: Sailed Hull for Bear Island grounds (Sk. J. Gibbs).
15.4.1937: At Hull landed 1,677 kits grossed £550.
14.9.1937: Sailed Hull for Icelandic grounds last trip before sale (Sk. A. Meacock).
2.10.1937: At Hull landed 1,212 kits grossed £737.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (H. Markham Cook, Grimsby, manager).
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (P.No.4.06) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
1942: Fitted out as an anti-submarine trawler.
2.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy.
7.3.1942: On passage Londonderry to USA (Lt. Dryden B Phillipson RNR) in thick fog off the Grand Banks (Newfoundland). Last seen at 2043 in position 45.22N 55.59W.
8.3.1942: Torpedoed by U-boat (U.587); no wreckage, no survivors from crew of thirty-eight.
8.5.1942: London registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Northern Princess LO170

S.T. Northern Princess LO170
Picture courtesy of the James Cullen Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
25/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
28/08/2024: Updated information.

S.T. Northern Isles LO172

Technical

Official Number: 165377
Yard Number: 569
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 254
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
12.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.569) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN ISLES.
17.12.1936: Registered at London (LO172). Operating out of Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
11.1.1937: First landing at Fleetwood, 1,192 boxes grossed £692.
1/2.3.1937: Last (part) landings at Fleetwood, 1,375/800 grossed £575/£341.
3.1937: Transferred to Hull (Boyd Line Ltd, managers).
25.3.1937: Sailed Hull for White Sea grounds (Sk. Bywaters).
19.4.1937: At Hull landed 2,426 kits grossed £821.
3.9.1937: Sailed Hull for Icelandic grounds last trip before sale (Sk. Bywaters).
24.9.1937: At Hull landed 1,030 kits grossed £1,026.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (H. Markham Cook, Grimsby, manager).
28.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel, later converted to A/S trawler (1-4”, AA weapons) (P.No.4.25) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
5.9.1939: Lieut. Derik S. A. Hewett RNR appointed CO.
25.11.1939: Lieut. Joseph F. Twite RNR appointed CO.
6.10.1940 Lieut. Alexander G. Scott RNR appointed CO. With Northern Patrol Group.
2.1942: Ty.Lieut. John Maurice Baldry RNVR appointed CO.
25.2.1942: One of 24 A/S trawlers lent to CinC U.S.Fleet for A/S operations under U.S. Command on the East Coast of N. America.
5.10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy and and sailed Norfolk, Va for Trinidad.
11.11.1942: Sailed Trinidad but disabled and taken in tow by HMT INTEGRITY (W14).
25.11.1942: Delivered Freetown, Sierra Leone.
1943: Operated in South Atlantic based at Cape Town.
1.1944: Ty. Lieut. Arthur R. J. Tilston DSC SANF(V) appointed CO.
9.2.1944: Taken in hand at Port Elizabeth for refit afloat to be followed by docking at Simonstown.
8-17.5.1944: Docked at Simonstown.
1.8.1944: Ty. Lieut. David LeFleming Dobson RNVR appointed CO.
8.1944: Based Durban.
19.1.1945: Stranded off Durban while on loop patrol (CinC S.A. 220934/1 refers). Declared a Total Loss.
23.2.1945: Paid off. London registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

HMT Northern Isles

HMT Northern Isles
Picture courtesy of Osta

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
07/10/2016: Significant information update.

S.T. Northern Chief LO165

Technical

Official Number: 165352
Yard Number: 554
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 251
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
11.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.554) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN CHIEF.
11.11.1936: Registered at London (LO165). Fishing out of Fleetwood. Edward D. W. Lawford designated manager.
8.12.1936: First landing at Fleetwood, 1,950 boxes £1,443 gross.
29.7.1937: At Wyre Light whilst awaiting the signal to proceed into dock, struck steam trawler COLLENA (FD115) (Sk. H. Chard) amidships on the port side causing extensive damage to wheelhouse and bulwarks.
30.9.1937: Last landing at Fleetwood, 1,080 boxes £665 gross.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London. H. Markham Cook, Grimsby designated manager.
28.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol/armed boarding vessel (1-4”) (P.No.4.34) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
6.1940: Based Kirkwall as armed boarding vessel (Lieut. H. Kirkwood RN).
1941: Based Kirkwall (Lieut. N. L. Knight RNR).
27.8.1941: In North Atlantic south of Iceland. At around 10.00pm in position 62 15N 18 5W, first Allied vessel to respond to radio message from aircraft and find the disabled U.boat (U570), damaged earlier by a Hudson of 269 Sqdr (Sdr Leader J. H. Thomson). Surrendered to aircraft, believing the submarine to be severely damaged and chlorine gas present. During the night joined by HM Trawler KINGSTON AGATE (P.No.FY212) (H489) (Lieut. Henry Owen L’Estrange RNR), HMS BURWELL (P.No.H94), (Lt Cdr. Sidney R.J. Woods RNR) Canadian destroyer HMCS NIAGARA (P.No.I57) (Ty Lieut. Thomas Philip Ryan RCNR) and two A/S Whalers.
28.8.1941: At daybreak U570 attacked by Norwegian Northrop N-3PB1 unaware that U.boat had surrendered. Called off by BURWELL. In worsening weather difficult to attach tow, mistakenly thinking that the Germans were not co-operating, BURWELL C.O. ordered a burst of machine gun fire, unfortunately wounding five of the U.boat crew. KINGSTON AGATE to windward, drifted a Carley-float down and an officer and three naval ratings put onboard; German officers and wounded transferred to KINGSTON AGATE. Throrough search but Enigma machine had been jettisoned; useful code books taken. Tow secured by KINGSTON AGATE and remaining U.boat crew taken off by HMCS NIAGARA which came alongside. Tow commenced for Iceland.
29.8.1940: Arrived Þorlákshöfn, southern Iceland, but in view of uncertainty of U.boat condition, beached.*
1.1942: Attached Northern Patrol, at Grimsby refitting.
3.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy (RN crew) operating East Coast USA.
10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy and operated in South Atlantic based at Cape Town.
5.2.1946: Returned after survey and restoration at Birkenhead (William A. Bennett, manager).
12.1946: London registry closed.
12.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY445).
2.1947: Sold to H/F Gylfi, Vatneyri, Iceland.
1947: Remeasured 625g 251n.
2.1947: Grimsby registry closed.
2.1947: Registered at Patreksfirdi as GYLFI (BA77)
1950: Sold to Ludwig Janssen & Co, Wesermünde. Registered at Bremerhaven as ISLAND (BX536).
1950: Remeasured 638g 235n.
1957: Sold to W. Ritscher, Hamburg for breaking up.
15.7.1957: Delivered Hamburg.

Note: Lieutenant Henry Owen L’Estrange RNR, from Co. Sligo was subsequently awarded the DSC for his part in the salvage of U570.

– U570 was surveyed by Lt. Colvin and found to be capable of repair. Refloated, spent three weeks in Hvalfjörður under repair and trials. One G7a torpedo was off-loaded and later sent to the USA. 29.9.1941: Sailed for Barrow in Furness (Lieut. George R. Colvin RN) with prize crew escorted by HMS SALADIN (P.No.H54) (Lt. Cdr Laurence J. Dover RN) and HM Trawler KINGSTON AGATE.
3.10.1940: Arrived Barrow for full inspection.
5.10.1941 Commissioned in Royal Navy as HM Submarine GRAPH (P.No.46).
21.6.1943 De-commissioned.
20 3.1944. Stranded west coast of Islay on passage to be broken up. Broken up in situ in 1961.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Gylfi BA77

S.T. Gylfi BA77
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. Island BX536

S.T. Island BX536
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
18/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
03/01/19: Updated the history.