Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 148953
Yard Number: 615
Completed: 1928
Gross Tonnage; 253
Net Tonnage: 98
Length: 120.7 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Coatbridge
Built: Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Dalmuir, Glasgow. Straight frames, angular bilge (chine built)

History

25.1.1928: Launched by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Dalmuir, Glasgow (Yd.No.615) to a design by Mr Melville, draughtsman, Messrs Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen, for William Alexander Leith, Aberdeen as HANNAH E REYNOLDS.
2.1928: Completed.
22.2.1928: Registered at Aberdeen (A322). William A. Leith designated managing owner.
24.2.1928: Sailed Glasgow for trials.
12.3.1928: Landed maiden at Aberdeen (Sk. John F. Reynolds), 400 boxes eight days “ remarkably well pleased with the seaworthy performance …”
4.5.1928: Sold to William Alexander Leith & Sk. John Francis Reynolds, Aberdeen.
7.12.1929: At 2.05 am. stranded on the south end of Inchkeith, Firth of Forth. 4.05 am. came off and proceeded.
w/e 23.8.1930: Along with steam trawlers BEN SCREEL (A121) and DOROTHY GRAY (PD533) sheltering at Kirkwall due to bad weather.
1.3.1931: In a blinding snowstorm, at about 1.00 am. stranded on rocks at Bow Head, Aikerness, Westray. In response to distress rockets and ship’s siren, the Westray L.S.A. was called out by two of their members who were on coast watch. With the assistance of Thomas Drew and his motor lorry and Mac Brown with his van, they were quickly on the scene, however, the distance was too great for the rocket to reach. Without delay a telegram was sent to the Stromness lifeboat and a reply was received stating that the lifeboat J.J.K.S.W. (Cox William Johnston) had left. Later with heavy seas breaking over her the trawler was carried off the the outer point of the Bow and drifted some distance inshore until coming fast again on rocks to the southward of the boat noust (stance) below Skaill Farm. Rockets were fired, the line made fast and with the aid of people from the surrounding district the rescue of the entire crew (nine men and a boy) was accomplished in 45 minutes. The crew were taken to the farm (Mr & Mrs Chalmers) and from there in Mr Chalmer’s car and Mr Brown’s van to the Bayview Hotel. The Stromness lifeboat arrived on the scene a few minutes after the rescue and proceeded to Gill Pier, Pierowall were food was provided before setting out on her homeward journey. Reported holed amidships, making water, but hope of salvage if moderate weather holds.
5.3.1931: With the Leith Salvage & Towing Co’s tug BULLGER (405grt/1884) connected, refloated and safely berthed at Kirkwall.
7.3.1931: In the morning sailed Kirkwall in tow for Aberdeen but in a worsening SE gale when off Hellyar Holme Light heavy seas were encountered and forced to return to Kirkwall.
8.3.1931: With a break in the weather in the morning sailed Kirkwall in tow for Aberdeen. Repaired and landing into Aberdeen.
17.2.1934: Landed 180 boxes, 3 score.
30.5.134: Landed 200 boxes, 4 score.
22.31935: Landed 180 boxes, 2 score cod and 50 score saithe.
19,6.1935: Landed 160 boxes, 5 score.
18.2.1936: Landed 100 boxes, 10 score cod and 10 score halibut.
About 4.12.1937: Sailed Aberdeen for Fleetwood with runner crew that had brought the steam trawler CHARLES DORAN (H760) round from Fleetwood.
29.12.1937(regd): Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
14.3.1938: At Fleetwood landed 150 boxes.
29.12.1938: Registered at Aberdeen as ELIZABETH ANGELA (A322) (BoT Minute RG1606/38 dated 19.12.1938). Basil Arthur Parkes designated manager.
10.1.1939: First landing under new name, 308 boxes £391 gross.
10.5.1939: At Fleetwood Magistrates Court, Harry Gilmore (37), ship’s fireman, Cross Street, Fleetwood was charged with failing to join the trawler, which was delayed for one hour. With 35 previous convictions, five for being a disobedient seaman, he was fined 30s and ordered to refund his advance of 5s.
11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, AA armament) (P.No.FY.767) (Hire rate £112.15.11d/month).
13.8.1940: Battle of Britain Day 35 – Eagle Day. Attacked by German aircraft while in St. Margaret’s Bay, Dover (Ty/Skipper. F. A. Meggitt RNR); one crewman MPK*. On the first run in the German aircraft dropped two bombs which straddled the ship but did little damage, On the second run the two bombs released hit the trawler, causing damage from which she subsequently foundered in position 51.20N 1.33E. Fire was returned throughout.
21.8.1940: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel lost whilst on Naval Service”.
5.10.1940: Ty Sub Lt Francis Layton Perkins RNVR who had directed the armament during the engagement was awarded the DSO, for “ courage and devotion to duty in HM trawlers when attacked by enemy aircraft”.
5.10.1940: Ty Sub Lt Francis Layton Perkins RNVR who had directed the armament during the engagement was awarded the DSC. The citation reading “For good service in HM trawlers when attacked by enemy aircraft”.

MPK* – George Victor Cyril Francis (27), Seaman, RNPS, Beccles, Suffolk.

Note – Hannah E. Reynolds – Named after wife of first skipper, John Francis Reynolds

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Hannah E Reynolds A322
Picture courtesy of Grimsby Reference Library

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
29/01/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
21/10/2021: Updated history.

Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson

Technical

Official Number: 113639
Yard Number: 308
Completed: 1902
Gross Tonnage: 172.42
Net Tonnage: 64.29
Length: 108.4 ft
Breadth: 21.3 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 240ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith, Hull

History

27.2.1902: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley (Yd.No.308) for The Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Hull as GOZO.
18.4.1902: Registered at Hull (H545).
18.4.1902: Henry Toozes appointed manager
19.4.1902: Completed.
2.10.1905: In heavy weather in North Sea, Henry Boys, Bosun, was drowned.
30.10.1905: Joseph Vivian appointed manager.
13.3.1913: Sk. Charles Deyes received a letter of thanks from the German Ambassador for attempting to rescue the crew of the German barque Hermann in a severe gale in the North Sea. Boat overturned but a boat from steam trawler POONAH (H737) rescued the crew before the vessel foundered.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 67.94net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
10.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.644). Based Portland.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
13.5.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London County, Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
11.11.1920: Outward for North Sea grounds on afternoon tide, fell in with a small boat at mouth of Humber which had onboard the crew of a Yarmouth herring drifter which had foundered; took onboard.
12.11.1920: Returned to Hull to land survivors.
16.1.1922: In blizzard conditions off the Humber driven onto Haile Sands. Spurn lifeboat in attendance and anchors run out. Subsequently refloated and proceeded.
10.3.1923: Mortgagee restyled 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.
19.11.1930: Mortgage (A) discharged.
19.11.1920: Sold to Colin Henry Brand (64/64), Milford Haven.
24.11.1930: Colin Henry Brand designated managing owner.
27.12.1930: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) To Barclays Bank Ltd, London (B).
30.12.1935: In heavy weather off the Smalls (Sk. Chris Masterton Jnr). At about 3.00 pm. went to assistance of steam drifter FEASIBLE (LT122) which had been battling to keep afloat for thirteen hours with wheelhouse, compass and lifeboat washed away, flooded below deck. and having lost deckhand Edward Halliday (27) of Lowestoft washed overboard. With difficulty connected and after a rough passage delivered Milford.
14.12.1937: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Robert Parcell Lewis, Fishguard for the sum of £312 with interest at 4.5% (C).
4.1938: With ALONSO (H887) converted for Spanish pareja trawling method.
4.1938: Newspaper clipping: “J. F. Gwyther has been favoured with instructions to offer for sale at the Conservative Club, on Friday 15th September, the steam trawlers ALONSO, CAIRO and GOZO. These ships are of the ex-fleeter type, strongly built, and the class suitable for pareja (pair fishing, Spanish style).”
3.8.1938: Mortgage (B) discharged.
3.12.1938: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Ruth Brand, Johnston and Lilian Gertrude Brand, Burton (joint mortgagees) for the sum of £667 with interest at 5% (D).
13.3.1939: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Albert Charles Hooper and Edward Reuben Cyprian Hooper, Cardiff (joint mortgagees) (E).
30.6.1939: Last landing at Milford. Laid up.
7.7.1939: Colin H. Brand filed for bankruptcy.
7.10.1939: Mortgages (D) & (E) discharged.
12.10.1939: Sold by order of the mortgagee under mortgage (C) to Fred Parkes and Charles Lucas Wilbraham (64/64 joint owners) both Blackpool.
30.10-.1939: Fred Parkes designated managing owner.
8.11.1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
18.11.1939: Basil Arthur Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde appointed manager.
1940: Fitted with Lewis gun.
12.3.1941: Sold to The Yolland Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Milford Haven.
15.4.1941: John Charles Llewellin appointed manager.
9.4.1941: Sailed Milford for Irish grounds (Sk. E. G. Paul); ten crew all told, in company with steam trawler FORT RONA (M56).
19.4.1941: Fishing in company with FORT RONA NWbyN from Bull Rock and SEbyE from Fastnets in calm seas, good visibility and NE wind force 2. Steering a northeasterly course and making good about 11 knots, sighted two aircraft approaching from the south at about 40ft about the surface at a distance of 3 to 5 miles. Crews of both ships ordered to take cover and Bosun manned the Lewis gun but withheld fire when it was thought that smaller aircraft, painted green aft, was Irish; larger aircraft identified as a Fokker Condor. Both aircraft circled the two ships and when to windward started to emit a a thick dirty yellow vapour which swept by the breeze engulfed the two trawlers. Crew told to hold their breath as the ship altered course to clear the cloud but several affected in eyes and mouth. The two aircraft pulled away and the Condor released five bombs which landed close but three failed to explode, while a torpedo was also released passing under the ship. The FORT RONA was also bombed but these exploded on her starboard side without damage. The aircraft then departed. Stowed gear and with about 50 kits of fish left for home arriving Milford before midnight. FORT RONA put into Berehaven, Co. Cork.
16.5.1941: John Charles Llewellin, Hakin appointed manager.
17.2.1945: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd (64/64), Milford Haven.
12 3.1945: Owen Willie Limbrick appointed manager.
16.7.1945: Last landing at Milford.
24.7.1945: On South West Irish grounds (Sk. W. Corney). Lost after striking a mine 25 miles S by SW of Old Head of Kinsale; all crew picked up by Milford trawler PHOEBE (H881) and landed at Kinsale, Co. Cork.
27.7.1945: Crew returned to Milford.
27.11.1945: Milford registry closed. “Ship sunk on 24th July 1945 as a result of an explosion Ministry of Transport reference M15111/1945.”

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Gozo H545
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

Changelog
22/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
05/08/2016: Significant information update.
22/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
14/12/2020: Updated history.