Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Nile FD11

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and David Slinger.

Technical

Official Number: 10849
Yard Number: 581
Completed: 1898
Gross Tonnage: 174
Net Tonnage: 45
Length: 110 ft
Breadth: 21.1 ft
Depth: 11 ft
Engine: 400ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by MacColl & Pollock, Sunderland
Built: Edwards Bros, North Shields

History

7.2.1898: Launched by Edwards Bros, North Shields (Yd.No.581) for Britannia Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as NILE.
14.3.1898: Registered at Grimsby (GY500). George William Parker, designated manager.
3.1898: Completed.
17.3.1898: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The York City & County Banking Co Ltd, York (A).
15.12.1900: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to George William Parker, Grimsby (B).
3.1902: Chartered by James Herbert Marr, Fleetwood.
29.5.1902: J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood formed.
9.12.1902: Sold by order of the mortgagee under mortgage (A) to J. Marr & Son Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood for £3400.
13.12.1902: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (C).
15.12.1902: James Herbert Marr designated manager.
12.8.1904: Grimsby registry closed.
15.8.1904: Registered at Fleetwood (FD11).
1905: Lengthened to 123.0 x 21.1 x 10.9 196.35g 77.78n (BoT Cert dated 27.7.1905).
18.8.1905: Re registered at Fleetwood (FD11) after material alterations.
11.4.1911: At Fleetwood landed 400 boxes from a 13 day Iceland trip.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 67.21net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
6.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence trawler.
26.5.1916: Mortgage (C) discharged.
20.11.1916: Sold to Andrew Walker, Aberdeen.
29.11.1916: Andrew Walker designated managing owner.
8.7.1918: Sold to Thomas G. Hancock, Hakin.
10.7.1918: Thomas G. Hancock designated managing owner.
16.7.1918: Fleetwood registry closed.
20.7.1918: Registered at Milford (M186). Based Scapa.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Milford Haven.
18.3.1920: Damaged by JAMES CHRISTOPHER (LO248) while waiting to lock out in Milford.
20.10.1922: Sailed Plymouth for fishing grounds off the SW of Ireland (Sk. William Grieves Payne).
21.10.1922: Struck rock on entering Crookhaven, Co. Cork.
24.10.1922: Sailed Crookhaven for the fishing grounds. In the seaway vessel found to be taking water and subsequently foundered 10 miles off Muirhead, Crew taken onboard steam trawler SEA ROVER (LO395).
25.10.1922: Landed at Milford.
4.11.1922: Milford registry closed “Foundered”.

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
04/02/2016: Minor information update.
26/06/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Niblick (1) BH81

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 98753
Yard Number: 57
Completed: 1891
Gross Tonnage: 153.61
Net Tonnage: 61.87
Length: 101 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 11 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Built: Cochrane, Cooper & Schofield, Beverley

History

23.5.1891: Launched by Miss Beatrice Holmes, daughter of one of the owners, at Cochrane, Cooper & Schofield, Grovehill yard, Beverley (Yd.No.57) for Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as CORMORANT.
31.7.1891: Completed. Henry A. L. Russell, designated manager.
1.8.1891: Registered at Hull (H156).
20.11.1893: When some 50 miles NE of Spurn at about 11.30am, sighted a foreign barque TONCHALD. The TONCHALD requested assistance and an agreement was made to tow the barque to the Humber. Two crew members of the trawler were transferred to supervise the tow and with great difficulty in the heavy sea, connected and commenced the tow. After about half an hour, the barque rose on a great wave, the tow parted, the chain flying up in the air and crashing down on the heads of Albro, the second hand and Waterman the steward. Both men falling on the deck senseless. Reluctantly the skipper decided to abandon a further attempt to connect and the boat took off the two crewmen from the barque, departing the scene at best speed for Hull. Arrived Hull in the late evening and the two were removed to the Infirmary, where doctors described their condition as most critical.
13.2.1904: Reported that the bosun, Marmaduke (Duke) Stocton (23) had been washed overboard.
23.2.1906: Sold to Christopher Pickering, Hull.
6.1908: New boiler fitted.
1.2.1912: One of a group of trawlers transferred to Blyth, including PETREL (H222), CONDOR (H247) and PRINCE of wALES (H136).
9.3.1912: Sold to Port of Blyth Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Blyth. John E. Rushworth designated manager.
4.4.1912: Registered at Blyth (BH81), J. Oldman skipper.
15.4.1912: Hull registry closed.
20.6.1912: At Blyth Magistrates Court, crew member, Augustus Durbin, fisherman, was charged with stealing from the trawler fish to the value of 5s. Having heard all the evidence and the fact that theft of fish was rife in the port, with 280 fishermen employed, Durbin was fined 5s and costs or 10 days imprisonment.
21.9.1912: At a special Police Court at Blyth, Charles Winpenny was charged with having deserted from the trawler and also disobeying the orders of the skipper. Having heard evidence the defendant was remanded until 24th June for sentencing. No further report.
4.12.1912: At Blyth Police Court, Frederick Coates, fisherman, was sent to goal for seven days for having disobeyed the command of the skipper to join the trawler.
7.1913: Reported that Blyth fish market was to close and the Blyth fleet to be transferred to Grimsby. Negotiations concluded between the Port of Blyth Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd and Consolidated Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby whereby the latter took over management of the Blyth boats. John D. Marsden, Grimsby designated manager.
17.12.1913: Five steam trawlers were offered for sale by auction in London by Messrs H. E. Moss & Co. The offers were as follows, but in no case did they reach the reserve and all five were withdrawn – CONDOR, £1,751; PETREL, £1,500; CORMORANT, £1,500; PRINCE of WALES, £1,600; COLLINGWOOD (GY1229) £1,500.
2.1914: Sold to Arthur Cargill, Hull; Edward Cargill Jnr, Fleetwood and George Cargill, Hull (Cargill Brothers, Fleetwood) for the sum of £1,710.
2.3.1914: Proposal for change of name submitted to Marine Department, Board of Trade.
3.1814: Registered at Blyth as NIBLICK (BH81).
23.3.1914: First landing at Fleetwood, 10 boxes.
13.6.1914: Landed 100 boxes.
22.6.1914: As a result of the dispute existing between the Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Ltd and the Humber Amalgamated
Steam Trawlers Engineers’ and Firemen’s Union (Fleetwood Branch) concerning the dismissal of the ASHLYN Ch.Eg, one of 53 trawlers ‘held up’ at the port.
24.6.1914: Following a meeting between Association and Union representatives, Ch Eng re-instated, all action withdrawn.
27.8.1914: Landed 150 boxes.
10.9.1914: Messrs Cargill gave a box of cod to be sold by Mr C. W. Frith for the benefit of the Prince of Wales’ National Relief Fund. The box was decorated and bore several ‘skits’ on the Kaiser. Bidding was spirited the box finally being knocked down to Mr Charles Hudson (Messrs Hudson Bros) for the sum of £6. Mr Cargill intends to give a box of fish from each voyage of the trawler.
26.10.1914: The third box of cod from the trawler was sold three times. It was first purchased by Mr A. Marr for £4 15s and given back for auction again, the second buyer was Mr Harold Rowton who paid £3 and also gave it back. The box was then forwarded to Mr John Duncan at Liverpool Wholesale Fish Market who sold the contents individually for 29s downwards, the contents of the box realising £10.
9.11.1914: On a trip to Tory Island/Donegal Bay grounds (Sk. Herbert Percy Jones). At about 00.12am observed by James Carroll, Tory Island, steaming off the island. With a crew of seven went out by boat to the trawler and saw that she was fishing. He called out to the trawler “ BH81 you’re caught fishing inside the limits.” There was no reply and no lights, later the trawler was seen heading in the direction of Malin Head.
30.1.1915: Fishing in Liverpool Bay (Sk. George Trees Birch), sighted a steamer explode. Hauled gear and proceeded to scene. At about 2.00pm when some 18 miles NW 1/2 N of Bar Lightship, picked up 11 crew members from the Anglesey Steamship Co’s coaster LINDA BLANCHE (530grt/1914) (Capt Ellis), on charter to the Belfast Steamship Co Ltd. At 12.30pm the coaster had been stopped by U-boat (U.21) while on passage Manchester – Belfast with general. Given ten minutes to leave the coaster and in two boats pulled away, the Germans having told Capt Ellis that there was a trawler to the west that would pick them up. Explosive charges were placed in the wheelhouse and in the forecastle, when these exploded the trawler sank in position 53.34N 03.51W. Landed survivors at Fleetwood at 8.00 p.m. The port of Fleetwood was closed by The Admiralty.
12.2.1915: At Falcarragh Petty Sessions, Co. Donegal, Sk. Jones charged by Irish Fisheries Board with being in prohibited waters off Tory Island on 9 November 1914. Having heard evidence from several witnesses, including James Carroll, the magistrates found the case fully proved and were unanimous in imposing a fine of £100 and costs of £150 4 5d. A second charge of being in prohibited waters off Tory Island on 20 November 1914 was also before the court. However, prosecuting solicitor for the Board added that Sk. Jones (sic) had rescued the crew of the coaster LINDA BLANCHE the previous month and the Board were not disposed to inflict any penalty upon the master of this vessel. They had, therefore directed the prosecution to be withdrawn upon payment of costs.
5.1915: Sold to Tena Wood (16/64); Niels Fischer (16/64); Harry Wood (16/64) and Arthur Smith (16/64), Grimsby.
7.5.1915: Fishing in the North Sea in thick fog, in collision with Hull steam trawler HORNSEA (H 485), working as a single boater and severely damaged. Crew taken off by boat from HORNSEA but as the trawler showed no sign of sinking, some crew put back onboard and tow connected.
8.5.1915: Arrived Humber at noon with skipper and crew and later delivered Grimsby for drydock and repair.
19.5.1915: Tena Wood, Niels Fischer and Harry Wood shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (E), (F), (G).
11.6.1915: Arthur Smith shares mortgaged to National Provincial Bank of England Ltd, London (H).
21.6.1915: Blyth registry closed.
21.6.1915: Registered at Grimsby (GY520).
8.7.1915: Mortgages (E), (F), (G) and (H) transferred to Henry Croft Baker and John Lawrence Green, Grimsby jointly.
1.9.1915: All four mortgages discharged.
2.9.1915: Arthur Smith (16/64) and Niels Fischer (16/64) shares sold to Harry Wood and Tena Wood, Grimsby jointly.
3.9.1915: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) (Harry Wood (32/64) and Tena Wood (32/64)) to Henry Croft Baker and John Lawrence Green, Grimsby jointly (I), (J).
23.12.1915: At Grimsby Magistrate’s Court, Harry Tugwesend , fisherman, fined 40s or 21 days imprisonment for failing to join the trawler as order, his second offence.
23.9.1916: At Grimsby Magistrate’s Court, John James Risdale, fisherman, pleaded guilty of disobedience in failing to join the trawler at sailing time. It was Risdale’s fifth appearance during the current year and he was sentenced to 21 days hard labour without the option of a fine.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released.
5.1919: New boiler fitted (made 12.1905).
1920: Sold to Harry Wood & Co (Grimsby) Ltd, Grimsby. Harry Wood designated managing owner.
1923: Repossessed by mortgagees in respect of mortgages (I) and (J).
15.11.1923: At Blackpool Bankruptcy Court, Henry (aka Harry) Wood (36), fish buyer, Claremont Avenue, Blackpool appeared for public examination. Statement of affairs showed gross liabilities £58,339 of which £47,616 is expected to rank, with estimated assets nil. Debtor attributed his failure to a slump in steam trawlers in 1920 and heavy losses in the trawling business. Wood was in business as a fish merchant in Grimsby and in 1915 took a quarter share in the trawler. A profit was made and two partners left taking £375 each. His two brothers came in committing £50 each. Other trawlers were bought, until they owned five. Wood also had a third share in Mayfair Steam Fishing Co Ltd, putting in £2,500 in cash and an eighth share in the Nautical Steam Fishing Co Ltd finding £1,250. His house was mortgaged and he was being pressed for payments so he sold three ships and possession was taken of the remainder. He became aware of his insolvency in 1920 with two debts, amounting together of £1,785, both in respect of super-tax on excess profits during 1919 and 1920. He was now a fish merchant operating as manager of his wife’s business trading as ‘ Wood and Wood ‘ at Fleetwood. Examination adjourned to 14 December. Nothing further noted.
12.1924: Sold for breaking up.
16.12.1924: Grimsby registry closed “Broken up”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Niblick BH81

S.T. Niblick BH81
Painting by William Blow from the original painting by F. JAMES

Changelog
31/12/2008: Page published. 4 updates since then.
27/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.
25/06/2021: Updated history.
21/07/2022: Significant update to history.

S.T. Cape Barracouta LO471

Additional material courtesy of Dave Todd and David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 162186
Yard Number: 548
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 369
Net Tonnage: 159
Length: 140.3 ft
Breadth: 24.6 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 99nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

(In 1935 the Hull trawler LEONIDAS (162186) (H267) was lengthened by Smiths Dock Co. Ltd. The work involved creating an improved hull form with new bow and stern sections. The design was successful, not only providing increased fish room capacity, but also, as was expected, reducing coal consumption and giving a slightly higher free running speed. Other owners stemmed vessels at Middlesbrough for similar work to be undertaken)
T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

26.6.1930: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.548) for Christensen & Co Ltd, Hull as LEONIDAS.
28.7.1930: Registered at Hull (H267).
31.7.1930: Completed. Jens C. Christensen designated manager.
16.8.1935: Completed lengthening by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough to 151.5 feet (including fitting new bow and stern sections). Re measured 390g 159n.
16.8.1935: Re-registered at Hull (H267) – alteration of tonnage.
29.4.1938: Sailed Hull for Iceland, last trip under this name (Sk. B. Sigurassen).
13.5.1938: At Hull landed 1,531 kits £969 gross.
17.5.1938: Sold to Hudson Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Hudson Bros. Trawlers Ltd, managers).
18.5.1938: Sailed Hull for Iceland as CAPE BARRACOUTA (Sk. E. Yeomans).
4.6.1938: At Hull landed 1,385 kits £1,141 gross.
25.6.1938: Registered at Hull as CAPE BARRACOUTA (H267).
1938: Under both names, landed at Hull from North Sea/Iceland/White Sea/Bear Island (Sks. F. Yeomans, B. Sigurassen, A. Taylor), 319 days 23,114 kits £16,736 gross.
25.7.1939: Insured value £16,400.
26.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper, employed on examination service (Hire rate £210.12.9d/month).
30.10. 1939. Returned to owner.
17.5.1940: Sailed Hull for Iceland (Sk. W. Woodhall).
3.6.1939: At Hull landed 2,207 kits £2,254 gross.
1940: To requisitioning, landed at Hull from Iceland (Sks. T. Threlfall, G. Gough, J. Grantham, W. Woodall), 110 days 9,239 kits £14,644 gross.
3.6.1940: Requisitioned as an auxiliary patrol vessel (P.No.4.122).
6.1940: Based Invergordon (Ty/Sk. T. Threlfall RNR).
9.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper.
24.1.1945: Owners re-styled Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd, Hull
17.8.1946: Returned after survey and restoration at Wallsend.
28.4.1947: Sold to Trawlers Grimsby Ltd, Grimsby (John C. Ross, manager).
6.5.1947: Registered at Grimsby (GY479).
3.9.1948: Sold to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London & Fleetwood (R. S. Hewett & H. F. Hayward).
21.9.1948: First landing at Fleetwood, grossed £4,083.
28.9.1948: Grimsby registry closed.
29.9.1948: Robert Scott Hewett, London appointed as manager.
9.1948: Registered at London (LO471).
1.1949: Registered at London as NEW PRINCE (LO471).
13.1.1949: Landed from White Sea grounds grossed £4,116.
9.1.1952: Best landing at Fleetwood grossed £6,995.
14.3.1956: Last landing at Fleetwood, grossed £1,173.
5.1956: Sold to Van Heyghen Freres S.A., Ghent for breaking up.
18.6.1956: Left Fleetwood for Ghent under own power.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. New Prince LO471

S.T. Leonidas H267
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
31/12/2008: Page published. 4 updates since then.
27/10/2019: Updated information.

S.T. New Crown GY369

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Birgir Þórisson

Technical

Official Number: 127829
Yard Number: 544
Completed: 1908
Gross Tonnage: 283
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 135 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Engine: 500ihp T.3-cyl by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull

History

7.3.1908: Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull (Yd.No.544) for Crown Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as NEW CROWN.
6.4.1908: Registered at Grimsby (GY369). George E. J. Moody designated manager.
4.1908: Completed. Fishing out of Fleetwood. William Moody Kelly managing agent.
26.4.1908: Landed maiden catch at Fleetwood (Sk. J. Dyer), 10 days 740 boxes.
29.4.1908: At Fleetwood Police Court, John Hall was charged with disobeying lawful commands in failing to join the ship which was delayed for one hour while a replacement was found. Hall was engaged as cook at £1 per day and trip money. The Magistrates having heard all the evidence sentenced Hall to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour.
7.10.1908: Landed 500 boxes (430 herring, 40 coallies.
17.3.1909: Landed 165 boxes.
14.3.1910: Landed 156 boxes.
3.8.1910: Landed 255 boxes.
21.8.1910: Homeward from St. Kilda ground, in vicinity of Mull of Galloway, picked up boat with eleven crew and two trippers from steam trawler VIVO (FD22), ashore 31/2 miles NW of Mull of Galloway. Landed skipper, Richard Wright, mate and chief engineer at East Tarbet to standby vessel for possible salvage. Called Dunmore to inform owners and continued passage to Fleetwood.
22.8.1910: Landed survivors at Fleetwood and 405 boxes fish.
15.12.1910: Landed 270 boxes.
31.3.1911; Landed 400 boxes.
28.9.1911: Landed 400 boxes.
28.2.1912: National Coal Strike. Miners’ Federation of Great Britain seeking to establish a minimum wage. Bunker coal prices treble the contract price, but fish prices fell by 50%.
11.3.1912: Landed 419 boxes.
11.3.1912: Temporarily laid up along with MARJORIE (FD139), LIZZIE MELLING (PN45) and ANNIE MELLING (PN61). “ … if the present state of affairs continues other trawlers will follows suit … other vessels are going to sea with depleted bunkers. “
6.4.1912: Government intervention. Coal Mines Act passed, establishing a minimum wage for miners.
30.12.1912: Landed 175 boxes.
4.2.1913: Sailed Fleetwood for grounds off NW coast of Ireland (Sk.James Brunton); twelve crew all told.
7.2.1913: Left the fishing grounds off Tory Island for Moville, Co. Donegal to land Ernest Wood who was seriously ill. Returned to fishing grounds. After 12 hours fishing encountered the full force of a hurricane outside Inishowen Head and ran for shelter in Culdaff Bay.
9.2.1913: Sailed Culdaff Bay to try and fish again but too rough to shoot the trawl and returned to the Bay. After dinner another attempt was made to fish, heavy seas were running at the time, coped with weather until about 6.35pm. Some nine miles SE of Tory Island encountered huge seas, one striking the trawler on the starboard bow, taking out the wheelhouse windows, the port boat and everything moveable on deck. The skipper and deckhand William Stewart were in the wheelhouse, the latter on the wheel. The skipper was badly cut by broken glass. Shortly after, three more huge wave struck the ship, shifting the bunker coal giving a heavy list to port, washing overboard Jonathan Snape, second engineer, and the lights went out leaving them in darkness. The mate, Frank Brunton, brother of the skipper, went into the wheelhouse to tell his brother that the second engineer had been washed overboard. He noticed that the skipper was bleeding from a gash on his forehead. The ship was put about before the sea to search for Snape, but whilst going round, struck by yet another huge sea carrying overboard the cook, Carl Hansen, the starboard boat, the wheelhouse roof, flooding the engine room and washing the hatches off. In the wheelhouse all were thrown in a heap. The mate found his brother lying unconscious on the deck and assisted in getting him into the forecastle. At about 10.00pm. the mate, James Brunton, took charge of the trawler and steered for calmer water on a course for Moville. At midnight, Stewart came into the wheelhouse and said that the skipper was dead.
10.2.1913: Arrived Moville at 10.00am. Dr Riley attended. After examining the deceased he stated that death was due to bleeding from a severed artery in his wrist. In the evening Capt Wright and Mr Joners, Superintendent Engineer accompanied by the Insurance Surveyor left Fleetwood by Belfast boat for Moville arriving at 6.00pm on Tuesday evening.
11.3.1913: After examining the trawler the Surveyor decided that she was fit to proceed to Fleetwood. With Capt. Wright in command, sailed Moville at 9.100pm. for Fleetwood.
12.3.1913: Arrived Fleetwood at 3.30pm.
13.3.1913: At the Coroner’s Court at Fleetwood, the story of how Skipper Brunton died was told and having heard all the evidence and taking the circumstances into account, presented the facts to the jury, who returned a verdict of accidental death as a result of the injuries received.
22.5.1913: Landed 190 boxes.
2.9.1913: Off Point of Ayre, IoM, at about 8.00pm in collision with steam trawler KITTY (FD179), striking her a glancing blow, slightly twisting her stem and dinging her shell plating. Sustained superficial damage. Subsequently KITTY making water in forepeak, put into Campbeltown for temporary repairs before returning to Fleetwood.
26.9.1913: Landed 230 boxes.
21.11.1913: Rough weather on the fishing grounds, landed 106 boxes.
2.3.1914: Landed 230 boxes.
14.4.1914: Landed 165 boxes.
22.6.1914: As a result of the dispute existing between the Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Ltd and the Humber Amalgamated Steam Trawlers Engineers’ and Firemen’s Union (Fleetwood Branch) concerning the dismissal of the ASHLYN Ch.Eg, one of 53 trawlers ‘held up’ at the port.
24.6.1914: Following a meeting between Association and Union representatives, Ch Eng re-instated, all action withdrawn.
7.1914: Sold to Joseph Arman, Marseilles.
26.3.1915: Grimsby registry closed.
4.1915 – 1916 not accounted for.
1916: Sold to Marine National Francaise. Converted to an armed patrol trawler. Renamed RENARD.
27.8.1916: Commissioned and based at Bône, Algeria.
1917: Based Brest as part of the Central Patrol Division of Brittany (Senior Master Pilot Pierre Auguste Le Blay); thirty crew all told.
9.10.1917: Escorting a convoy in the Atlantic off Finistère.
14.10.1917: Left the convoy.
19.10.1917: In very dark weather but a calm sea arrived at Wolf Rock for a rendezvous with a convoy at 0400. By early forenoon the convoy had not arrived Sailed slowly towards Brest, crossing to the north of the entrance to Fromveur Passage between the island of Ushant and Kérêon Lighthouse on Men Tensal. The northern limit of the Iroise Sea.
At 0910, 3 miles N60E of Men Tensal, suffered a violent explosion at the after end, the engine and boiler room flooded and the ship foundered very quickly in position 48.28N 4.58W. The captain, quartermaster and helmsman were on the bridge, two gunners forward and aft and a look-out at the mast. The life rafts were swamped or demolished and only rose to the surface several minutes after the ship had sunk. Among those who escaped seven men were in their bunks in the after cabin; the rest were on deck or on the casings. Those on watch were wearing lifejackets and this saved two of the men who could not swim. The crew who were aft, including the master mechanic, were killed by the explosion. Captain Le Blay was thrown into the sea wearing a life jacket but was pulled under by the swell and no one saw him afterwards. Torpedo Boat 260 was 3 miles north of Platresses and on hearing the explosion came to the scene picking up thirteen survivors and one body. 260 returned to Brest at 1145 landed survivors and the body. Also on the scene was the Molène, Finistère lifeboat AMIRAL-ROUSSIN (Cox. Yves Cariou) which had been launched at 0915. Cariou took the lifeboat down the Fromveur Passage searching the islands before returning to Molène at 1300. Twelve men MPK/drowned*.

Note: The position given for the sinking corresponds with the minefield laid by U-boat (UC79) on 14.10.1917.

Lost*. Thirteen men are listed.

APPRIOU Antoine, born 6 Jan 1882 at LANDÉDA (Finistère), Sailor gunner. Batchelor
BERGEAULT Jean René, born 29 June 1891 at SAINT-RENAN (Finistère), Quarter master electrician.S.F. Batchelor
FOUCAULT Félix François Marie, born 14 June 1892 at AMBON (Morbihan), Second class sailor helmsman- Batchelor
GOUABAULT Albert Marie Pierre, born 14 April 1888 at SABLÉ-SUR-SARTHE (Sarthe), Master mechanic Married
GUILLOU Jean Guillaume, born 15 November 1884 at ROSCOFF (Finistère) Second class sailor, no speciality. Married
GEFFROY Laurent Marie, born 26 March 1887 at PLOUEZOC’H (Finistère), Quarter master gunner. Married
HÉLIAS Julien, born 1 April 1882 at PENMARCH (Finistère), Third class sailor no speciality.
LANGELLIER Louis Marc, born 17 September 1886 at PUTEAUX (Hauts-de-Seine), First class sailor, mechanic Married
Le BIHAN Louis, born 4 May 1888 at SAINT-POL-DE-LÉON (Finistère), Quarter master for manouvres. Married
Le BLAY Pierre Auguste, born 19 October 1879 at SAINT-QUAY-PORTRIEUX (Côtes-d’Armor), Captain Pilot- married
MOREL Louis Marie Victor, born 26 February 1887 at JANS (Loire-Atlantique), 1st class sailor gunner.
PELLÉ Ernest, born 4 January 1882 at GOULVEN (Finistère), Second in charge, mechanic. Married
QUILGARS François Marie, born 4 January 1891 at Le MERZER (Côtes-d’Armor), Quarter master artillery. Married

Click to enlarge images

S.T. New Crown GY369

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture from the Internet

S.T. New Crown GY369

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture courtesy of Bill Blow

S.T. New Crown GY369

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

S.T. Renard

S.T. Renard
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
31/12/2008: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
29/10/2014: Picture added.
16/05/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
21/08/2021: Added image.
04/11/2021: Updated history and technical details.
11/11/2021: Further update to history.

S.T. Newbridge FD55

Technical

Official Number: 122935
Yard Number: 261
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 228
Net Tonnage: 75
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 21.9 ft
Depth: 8.9 ft
Built: J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Glasgow
Boiler: A. & W. Dalglish, Pollockshaws, Glasgow

History

23.12.1905: Launched by J. Duthie, Sons & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.261) for Tettenhall Steam Fishing Co of Fleetwood Ltd, Fleetwood as NEWBRIDGE.
1.1906: Completed.
16.1.1906: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
31.1.1906: Registered at Fleetwood (FD55), Louis Cohen, Norbreck appointed manager.
11.8.1909: Vessel mortgaged (64/64)to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (B).
11.8.1909: James H. Marr appointed manager.
9.10.1913: Mortgage (A) discharged.
10.10.1913: Mortgage (B) discharged.
10.10.1913: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (C).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 93.31net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
6.5.1915: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.963). At Devonport fitted with 1-6pdr and mine-sweep. i.a.w. Area XIV Patrol Orders dated 30.3.1915. Allocated to Relieving Unit (to take the place of trawlers when refitting) based Falmouth (Sub Lieut. A. G. Sampson RNR).
26.12.1915-1.1.1916: Refitting at Falmouth.
10.1916: Allocated Unit Nos. 85, 87, 147 – Sections C, D, E, F 4th Division based Isles of Scilly (Sk. E. Thomas).
2.12.1916: James A. Robertson appointed manager.
18.11.1917: Off Prawle Point, in darkness, sustained damage following collision with steamer MACORIS (2053grt/1884) which had been escorted from the Western Approaches. At 2350 ULYSSES II (GY198)(Ad.No.1047) arrived on scene to take over escort duties, but in view of situation prepared to tow to port of refuge.
19.5.1917: At about 0200 connected and commenced tow but after four hours started to settle and foundered at 0620 in approx position 50.10N 03.45W; crew saved.
30.1.1918: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel lost”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Newbridge FD55

S.T. Newbridge FD55
Outboard of S.T. Scomber FD90

Changelog
26/04/2014: Picture added.
15/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
24/06/2021: Updated history.