Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Northcoates H329

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3697
Official Number: 144573
Yard Number: 164
Completed: 1919
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 127
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Cox & Co (Engineers) Ltd, Falmouth
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Cox & Co (Engineers) Ltd, Falmouth

History

Note Name to be GEORGE CORTON.
1918: Launched by Cox & Co (Engineers) Ltd, Falmouth (Yd.No.164) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as GEORGE CORTEN (Ad.No.3697).
6.2.1919: Completed and delivered.
22.05.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) O.N.144573. Engaged in commercial trawling.
13.08.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
09.1920: Allocated to the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
25.09.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) as GEORGE CORTEN (LO467).
12.1920: At Wivenhoe fitted out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler at Wivenhoe.
1921: Laid up at Brightlingsea.
31.10.1921: After inspection at Brightlingsea by Capt. William John Lown & Lawrence Spring (directors), purchased by Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull. Purchased at asking price £7250 (Others inspected and purchased were DANIEL DICK, ISAAC ARTHAN, JOHN BROOKER, JOHN GRAHAM & THOMAS BOUDIGE).
3.12.1921: London registry closed.
12.1921: Remeasured 277g 108n.
21.12.1921: Registered at Hull as GEORGE CORTEN (H329). Walter Scott designated manager.
30.1.1922: Registered at Hull as ZENCON (H329).
13.11.1922: Registered at Hull as ZIRCON (H329).
27.5.1935: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £3,800. Crewed and operated from Hull by The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Cleveleys designated manager.
12.11.1935: Registered at Hull as NORTHCOATES (H329). Edward Towne designated manager.
1935: Insured value £4,500.
1937: Transferred to fish out of Fleetwood.
24.8.1937: First landing at Fleetwood from Faroes, 235kits.
28.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (magnetic) (P.No.FY.548) (Hire rate £83.2.0d/month).
9.1939: Fitting out at Sheerness.
23.5.1944: Assigned as magnetic minesweeper to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
29.5.1944: Ordered to Plymouth
5.6.1944: Sailed Plymouth for beachhead approaches with minesweeping flotillas.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
2.12.1944: Foundered in the English Channel off Littlehampton in heavy weather while under tow after machinery failure. Wreck lies in position 50.39.68N 0.35.32W in 26 m.

(George Corton (aka Corten, Carten), Landsman (volunteer), age 32, b. Oxford, Oxfordshire – VICTORY (SB112))

Click to enlarge image

HMT Northcoates

HMT Northcoates
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
03/11/2016: Information updated.
07/04/2019: Information updated.
28/06/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Norse FD72

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 136901
Yard Number: 409
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 297
Net Tonnage: 125
Length: 135.9 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.4 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Lidgerwood Ltd, Glasgow

History

1914: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.409) for The Mersey Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as NORSE.
23.1.1915: Registered at Fleetwood (FD72). Ernest Taylor, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager
1.1915: Completed.
2.3.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.1352). Fitted as Sub-divisional Leader. Based Holyhead.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
17.9.1920: Sailed Fleetwood for northern fishing grounds (Sk. Robert Wright). At 4.00pm in good weather conditions stranded on Patterson’s Rock between Sanda and Mull of Kintyre. A motor boat from shore took the crew off landing them safely at Southend.
24.9.1920: Reported vessel is in the hands of the insurance company and salvage operations are proceeding.
27.9.1920: Storm interrupted salvage attempt.
3.10.1920: Vessel had broken up and disappeared below surface.
13.10.1920: Fleetwood registry closed.

Note: To the south and east of Kintyre, just off Southend, lies tiny Sanda Island. To the east of Sanda, on the run in to the Kilbrannan Sound, is Paterson’s Rock. Completely submerged at high water the rock has trapped three vessels, one of which was the trawler NORSE, On passage between Glasgow and Northern Ireland, she ran onto the rock in the evening. A local motor boat took the crew off and landed them at Southend. The following day the NORSE was sitting high and dry on the rock at low water but was badly damaged. A tug arrived and, over the next few days, attempted to salvage the vessel. On the 27th, however, the area lived up to its fearsome reputation by brewing a vicious storm which worked the stranded trawler so badly that she began to settle in the water. By the 3rd October she had broken up and disappeared under the surface.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Norse FD72

S.T. Norse FD72
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Norse FD72

S.T. Norse FD72
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
15/11/2016: Picture added.
09/09/2018: Removed FMHT watermark and incorrect image.
18/04/2019: Added an image.
04/06/2021: Updated information.

S.T. Norina (1) – FD150

Technical

Additional information courtesy of Erling Baldorf and Helensburg Heritage Trust

Official Number: 139599
Yard Number: 668
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 270
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 125.2 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

15.8.1916: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No. 668) for Neale & West Ltd, Cardiff as KUNISHI.
5.2.1917: Completed. Wilfred Neale, Morley H. Neale & Joshua S. Neale designated joint managers.
24.4.1917: Registered at Cardiff (CF46).
7.1917: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, Hydrophone) (Ad.No.3343). Based Taranto.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Cardiff.
1920: Sold to Victor Basquet, La Rochelle. Cardiff registry closed. Registered at La Rochelle as PELICAN.
1927: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £5500. Joseph Arthur Marr designated manager.
15.6.1927: Registered at Fleetwood as N0RINA (FD150).
1920: Remeasured 268g 111n.
1927: Remeasured 270g 113n 12.6 ft depth of hold.
4.1927: Geoffrey Edwards Marr designated manager.
3.9.1927: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds.
4.9.1927: At about 4.25am in dense fog when making for Lismore Light off the south tip of Mull, stranded. Holed aft but managed to refloat at 7.30 am and proceeded to Oban for repairs.
8.9.1927: Repairs completed to satisfaction of Fleetwood Mutual Insurance Association representative. Sailed for fishing grounds.
12.9.1927: Trawl fouled propeller. Cleared and steamed for fresh grounds.
18.9.1927: Completed fishing and set course for home. In fog and drizzle stranded on the Isle of Jura, about one hours steaming from the Rubha a Mhail (Rhuvaal) light whilst making for Islay Sound.
19.9.1927: Steam trawler SARBA (FD177) intercepted a wireless message sent to steam trawler VELIA (FD49).
20.9.1927: At about 3.15am. SARBA arrived on the scene and at daybreak she was joined by VELIA. Both trawlers connected but were unsuccessful in refloating.
21.9.1927: In the morning the Glasgow tug FLYING SPRAY (217grt/1917 – 823ihp) (Mr Roger Owen) arrived, connected and after three quarters of an hour succeeded in refloating. After check for leaks sailed for Fleetwood in tow.
22.9.1927: Delivered Fleetwood on morning tide and landed 400 boxes. Slipped, repaired and returned to service.
1.4.1929: Joseph A. Marr retired to manage Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd.
4.1929: Geoffrey Edwards Marr designated manager.
2.1931: Stranded in Sound of Islay. Refloated, repaired and returned to service.
11.8.1933: Arrested by fishery cruiser MINNA while fishing Butt of Lewis ground.
23.11.1933: At Stornoway Sheriff Court, Sk. William Rendall Drever was charged with trawling within prohibited waters off Point Ness, Lewis; failing to exhibit regulation lights; obscuring or altering the registration numbers and failing to stop when ordered and obstructing the boarding party. He pleaded Not Guilty.
26.1.1934: Sk. William Rendall Drever was found guilty on all four counts and fined £100, £20, £15 and £50 respectively with alternative imprisonment. 1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No.Z.145) (Hire rate £78.15.0d/month). Cost of conversion £12,491. Based Loch Ewe (Glenelg).
2.10.1942: Sold to Thomas Ross Ltd, Grimsby for £9850.
23.11.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T. Based at Fort William (D. MacBrayne Ltd, Glasgow, agents).
6.3.1945: Operating from Fort Bannatyne. In Loch Striven laying a buoy. At approximately 11.15am. completed task and underway. At 11.20am. miniature submarine XE11 -”Lucifer” (Lieut. Aubrey “Eustace” Staples SANF); five crew all told, submerged on trials came up to 10ft and was in collision. Submarine ran along under keel until struck by propeller and pressure hull breached. Submarine sank until resting on the bottom on even keel in about 210-215 feet, First Lieutenant, Sub Lieut. Bill Morrison RNVR and Engine Room Artificer Leslie Swatton, escaped but CO and two others drowned*. Submarine subsequently raised by NORINA, bodies recovered and buried in Rothesay Cemetery.
12.1.1946: Fleetwood registry closed. Laid up. Estimated cost of re-conditioning £8,750.
5.1947: Sold to BISCO for breaking up.
1949: Still in LR. No owners listed.

XE11 crew lost – Lieutenant Aubrey “Eustace” Staples SANF, Seaman Torpedoman J. J. Carroll and Stoker E. Higgins.

Note. The escape by S/Lt Morrison and ERA Carroll from 210-215ft remains the deepest unaided ascent from a submarine and features in the Guinness Book of Records.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Norina FD150

S.T. Norina FD150
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Norina FD150

S.T. Norina FD150
Picture courtesy of The Frank Pook Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
12/03/2016: Picture added.
09/10/2016: Information added.
27/02/2020: Updated information.

S.T. Norbreck FD30

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and Douglas Paterson and Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 114309
Yard Number: 251
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 201
Net Tonnage: 37
Length: 121.3 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.7 ft
Engine: 380ihp T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Boiler: James Abernethy & Co, Aberdeen
Built: J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

7.1.1905: Launched by J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.251) for Louis Cohen (16/64), Norbreck; Ernest Henry Friedrich Louis Schottler (16/64), Blackpool; William Johnson (8/64), Sheffield; Percy Johnson (8/64), Sheffield; George Alfred Schottler (8/64), Blackpool; Walter Henry Dickenson (4/64) and William Milnthorpe Dunnill (4/64), Fleetwood as NORBRECK.
13.2.1905: William Johnson shares (8/64) and Percy Johnson (8/64) mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (C) & (D).
14.2.1905: Louise Cohen shares (16/64) mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
16.2.1905: George Alfred Schottler shares (8/64) mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (E).
17.2.1905: Walter Henry Dickenson shares (4/64) mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (F).
22.2.1905: Registered at Fleetwood (FD30).
2.1905: Completed.
28.2.1905: William Milnthorpe Dunnill shares (4/64) mortgaged to London City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (G).
6.3.1905: Ernest Henry Friedrich Louis Schottler shares (16/64) mortgaged to London Midland & City Bank Ltd, London (B). 11.9.1905: Fred Kelsall appointed manager.
2.12.1905: Sold to Norbreck Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Louis Cohen, Norbreck, manager).
7.12.1905: Mortgages (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), & (G) discharged.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 80.01net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
16.4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an armed trawler 1-3pdr) (Ad.No.1374).
1919: Returned to owner.
27.1.1919: Sold to John McRae Knight, Hakin & Morgan Watkin Howell. Milford Haven 64/64 joint owners)(John McR. Knight managing owner).
21.2.1919: Fleetwood registry closed.
6.3.1919: Registered at Milford (M7).
2.1920: Sold to Direct Fish Supplies Ltd (64/64), London. John McRae Knight, Milford Haven appointed manager.
10.2.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Barclays Bank Ltd, London (H).
2.1921: Transferred to Grimsby.
14.10.1921: Milford registry closed.
18.11.1921: Registered at Grimsby (GY1307).
23.3.1922: Company in voluntary liquidation.
10.8.1922: Placed in compulsory liquidation.
2.11.1922: Sold by mortgagee under mortgage (H) to Peter Walker, North Shields.
13.11.1922: Peter Walker appointed manager.
13.11.1922: Grimsby registry closed.
16.11.1922: Registered at North Shields (SN90).
11.12.1922: Registered at North Shields as GLEN STAR (SN90).
1926: Sold to George Robb Snr, Aberdeen (managing owner)
6.4.1926: North Shields registry closed.
7.4.1926: Registered at Aberdeen (A164).
17.6.1926: Registered at Aberdeen as CRAIGMILLAR (A164) (BoT Minute M/RG No.1204/1926 dated 16.6.1926).
5.2.1934: Sold to George Robb & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (George Robb, manager).
6.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service and appointed for boom working duties (Hire rate £50.5.0d/month).
1.1940: Returned.
11.6.1940: Requisitioned and fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.1669).
19.3.1941: Sold to Thomas Walker & James Hay, Aberdeen.
1944: Sold to J. C. Llewellin & Others, Milford Haven.
3.1945: Sold to Llewellin Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (John C. Llewellin, Haverfordwest, Joseph L. Yolland, Haverfordwest, John Yolland Jnr, Haverfordwest & Thomas S. Yolland, Swansea) (John C. Llewellin, manager).
11.1945: Returned to owner.
7.1945: Aberdeen registry closed.
3.7.1945: Registered at Milford (M122).
1.1.1946: Messrs Yolland & Llewellin partnership dissolved.
5.1.1946: Sold to John Yolland Jnr, Joseph L. Yolland & Thomas S. Yolland, Milford Haven (John Yolland Jnr, manager).
1946: Sold to Yolland Brothers Ltd, Milford Haven (John Yolland Jnr, manager).
24.5.1946: Sailed Milford for fishing grounds SW of Ireland (Sk. Wilfred Perrett).
30.4.1946: In position Galley Head, Co Cork bearing N by E 30 miles, when hauling damaged by explosion believed to have been a mine in the trawl. Subsequently foundered south of Galley Head, Co. Cork. All crew safe, one slightly injured.
9.5.1946: Milford registry closed.

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
16/05/2015: Information update.
19/02/2016: Removed incorrect picture.

S.T. Noogana FD341

Technical

Official Number: 128768
Yard Number: 551
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 237
Net Tonnage: 90
Length: 120.9 ft
Breadth: 22.7 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

12.5.1914: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.551) for Edward Brand, Johnston; James Tidman, Gorleston; Walter H. Podd, Lowestoft & Charlie T. Pannell, London as NOOGANA.
6.1914: Completed.
25.6.1914: Registered at Milford (M9). Edward Brand designated managing owner.
17.6.1914: First landing at Milford.
2.5.1915: Last landing at Milford before requisition.
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an armed trawler (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.2663).
26.11.1917: Sold to Frederick B. O’Meara, London. Frederick B. O’Meara designated managing owner)
31.7.1918: Sold to The Port St. Mary Fishing & Curing Co Ltd, London. Joseph A. Taylor, Fleetwood designated manager. Based Egypt.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
6.8.1919: Milford registry closed.
7.8.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD341).
28.8.1924: Sold to Dalby Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Bowden Ramster designated manager.
3.1931: Sold to Harley & Miller Ltd, Liverpool.
19.3.1931: Fleetwood registry closed.
20.3.1931: Registered at Liverpool (LL32). Richard H. Jones designated manager.
28.8.1933: Some 12 miles off The Skerries, Anglesey picked up four crew members of motor boat LALAGE which had foundered.
1935: Sold to Robert Hastie & Sons Ltd, North Shields.
25.2.1935: Liverpool registry closed.
26.2.1935: Registered at North Shields as St. OLIVE (SN47). George H. Hastie designated manager.
19.3.1940: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minesweeping duties (P.No.FY.1599) (Hire rate £63.4.0d/month).
11.1945: Reclassed and restored at North Shields.
21.11.1945: Returned to owner at North Shields.
1956: Sold for breaking up.
1956: North Shields registry closed.
Click to enlarge image

S.T. Noogana FD341

S.T. Noogana FD341
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
27/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from image.
26/06/2021: Updated history.