Category Archives: War Losses

Vessels lot due to war

S.T. Robert Bowen M269

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3595
Official Number: 143810
Yard Number: 390
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 126
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Owner: J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood

History

14.3.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.390) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as ROBERT BOWEN (Ad.No.3595).
6.7.1918: Completed (1 – 12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
1919: Registered by The Admiralty in the Registry of British Ships at London.
1920: Sold to Britannic Trawling Co Ltd, London (Talbot W. Holland, manager).
19.1.1920: Registered at London (LO254).
17.1.1924: Sold to Brand & Curzon Ltd, Milford Haven (Edward Brand & Charles Curzon, managers).
5.1938: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd, Milford Haven (Owen W. Limbrick, manager).
20.5.1938: London registry closed.
23.5.1938: Registered at Milford (M269).
28.12.1938: Delivered Milford, steam trawler JOSEPH BUTTON (M272) picked up disabled with damaged rudder.
10.5.1939: Transferred to Fleetwood.
31.7.1939: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (Geoffrey E. Marr, Cleveleys, manager) for £3650.
31.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No. NR) (Hire rate £87.0.0d/month). Based Aberdeen with M/S Group 41.
9.2.1940: Group sweeping 20 miles NE of Aberdeen, damaged by German air attack (Heinkel 111 x 2) towards Girdle Ness and foundered; no survivors. Wreck lies at 57.09N 02.00W.
27.12.1941: Milford registry closed.

(MPK – Sk. Lieut. John Clark RNR; Ty Lieut. Arthur S. Wilson RNVR; Olley Turrell, 2nd Hand; Thomas McKechnie, Ch. Engineman; Henry A. Popkin, CPO Stoker; Hedworth Diplock, AB; Leslie G. Charlton, James B. Cowling, Thomas E. Robinson, Seamen; Robert F. Holden, OD; Ivor G. Fox, Telegraphist; John T. Gowan, George A. Ritchie, Stokers; Christopher Batty, A/Cook.)
(Robert Bowen, AB, age 29, b. Dover, Kent – VICTORY (SB852))

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.

S.T. River Clyde FD418

Technical

Official Number: 135789
Yard Number: 353
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 109
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Ayr
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Fawcett Preston & Co Ltd, Liverpool

History

12.8.1919: Launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Ayr (Yd.No.353) (“Castle“ class) for The Admiralty as RICHARD CUNDY.
5.2.1919: Forms for tender to purchase received by the Admiralty.
13.10.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel.
26.8.1919: The Admiralty (Director of Contracts) letter giving Charles F. Paton, Glasgow the option to purchase twelve steam trawlers at a price of £182,000.
21.10.1919: Option transferred by Charles F. Paton to The Montrose Fishing Co Ltd.
13.10.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel for The Montrose Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Montrose. Charles F. Paton, Glasgow designated manager.
28.11.1919: Registered at Montrose (Part I & IV) as RICHARD CUNDY O.N.135789 (ME49). Charles F. Paton, Glasgow designated manager.
16.3.1920: Registered at Montrose as RIVER CLYDE (ME49).
1922: W. C. Simpson designated manager.
10.1922: Sold to Thomas F. Kelsall & Henry Blackburn, Fleetwood.
12.11.1924: Sold to River Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
14.11.1922: Montrose registry closed.
20.11.1922: Registered at Fleetwood (FD418). Thomas F. Kelsall & Henry Blackburn designated managers.
4.6.1928: Typical landing 225 boxes.
14.2.1931: In gale force winds and driving snow, at 3.00am. responded to distress call to Malin Head Radio by Finnish steamer MALVE (1488grt/1917) (Capt Boxberg) stranded on Tiree whilst on passage Tallin to Manchester with wood pulp and timber. With steam trawlers DHOON (FD54) and CALDEW (FD347) stood by to render assistance. Vessel refloated after pumping out ballast and moving 40 tons of cargo from No.3 to No.4 hold, and went to anchor in Balephetrish Bay, Tiree. Wind freshened and started to drag, with insufficient steam, drove ashore among rocks, held fast and making water. Crew abandoned and landed on Tiree. Vessel was a total loss.
30.12.1932: In calm seas stranded on west side of Gothail Island in Stornoway Harbour.
31.12.1932: Refloated at 9.30 am; vessel sound.
12.1.1938: Sailed Fleetwood for Rockall grounds (Sk. J. Carter).
22.1.1938: On a trip plagued by bad weather and dodging for prolonged periods when it was only possible to make four hauls. Riding out another gale with deck awash and requiring two men to hold the wheel, just after dusk a huge wave was observed sweeping towards the ship. The wave struck, lifting the ship almost vertical and crashing down, lay over on her port side, practically swamped. Confirming that all in the engine-room were safe, full ahead was ordered and slowly the ship righted herself. The damage was considerable and the skipper was injured by flying glass when the wheelhouse windows were stove in and other crew members injured. Shortly afterwards the generator tripped, plunging the ship into darkness. Fortunately the whole scene was lit up by the moon which had appeared through a break in the clouds and damage could be seen. In the wheelhouse the wireless and depth sounder were damaged, on deck the trawl winch had been wrenched from its bed and flung against the port bulwark, the boat had been carried away, funnel and ventilators damaged and guardrails and wires torn and twisted. Whilst assessing the damage and setting the pumps to work to clear the water below, the wind freshened and a new storm, with thunder, lightning and sleet broke. At about 9.00pm. a second heavy sea hit the ship and as the ship shuddered the winch was carried almost back to its bed. With an improvement in the weather all loose gear, including the winch, was secured and course set for home, though progress was slow in the confused seas in the wake of the storms *.
31.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.NR) (Hire rate £86.5.0d/month).
5.8.1940: Mined off Aldeburgh, Suffolk (Temp Prob Sk J. L. Grant RNR) **.
22.10.1940: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel lost on Admiralty Service”.

(Richard Cundy, Landsman, age 21, b. Cork, Co. Cork – ROYAL SOVEREIGN (SB677))

Note *: 5.1938: The Mayor of Fleetwood (Alderman Charles Saer) presented awards on behalf of the insurers to Sk. Carter and crew members, A. Parkinson, C. Goodfellow, L. Soloman, R. Anderson. W. Thacker and H. Atkinson in recognition of their efforts that saved the ship.

MPK ** – Clifford L. Swann, 2nd Hand; Alexander Brown & George Crackett, Enginemen; Alfred H. Parker, AB; Malcolm J. Mackay, Donald Smith (LT/X7294C) & Thomas William, seamen; Arthur R. Ford, seaman/cook; Charles W. Warner, telegraphist; Chris B. Milbank, O/signalman; Bernard A. Ready, stoker 2c.
(Died of Wounds – Donald Smith (LT/X18113A))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. River Clyde FD418

S.T. River Clyde FD418
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
15/07/2016: Information updated.
29/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
19/09/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Princess Louise FD365

Stranding information courtesy of Laurence H Dettman

Technical

Official Number: 121084
Yard Number: 83
Completed: 1905
Gross Tonnage: 289.30
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 133.3 ft
Breadth: 22.5 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 70nhp T.3-cyl by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

31.8.1905: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley (Yd.No.83) for Armitage’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as PRINCESS LOUISE.
19.10.1905: Registered at Hull (H837). George Thomas Armitage designated manager.
10.1905: Completed.
27.1.1909: In thick fog in the Humber estuary in collision with Hull steamer WHITNY ABBEY (1183grt/1908) and both vessels damaged.
15.11.1913: Sailed Hull for White Sea grounds off the coast of Lapland (Sk. Hermann Dettman) (2nd hand George Henry Batty); twelve crew total.
23.12.1913: Left fishing grounds off Sem Islands for home picking up a Norway coast pilot at Honningsvåg.
25.12.1913: Called Gibostad to obtain medical assistance for the skipper suffering from an acute bowel disorder.
27.12.1913: Arrived Lødingen and dropped pilot setting course for Vest Fjord. When in vicinity of Lødingen Light shortly after 4.30am. the skipper was again indisposed and had to leave the wheelhouse telling the second hand the course to steer. On his return there was an exchange concerning the course and shortly afterwards the vessel struck heavily amidships and again aft and heeled to starboard and came fast. Endeavoured to free the vessel by working the engine but ingress of water into the stokehold was rapid; fires were drawn. Crew abandoned and vessel settled by the stern. Picked up by Norwegian coastal steamer and landed at Svolvaer. Skipper and Chief Engineer proceeded to Lødingen and took passage in the salvage steamer that was to attend the wreck. which was lying in 10fms to the west of Root Var with some chance of salvage. Crew returned to Hull via Bergen.
6.3.1914: Hull registry closed “Vessel lost”. *
30.9.1914: Having been salved and returned to Hull, repaired and re-registered at Hull (H140).
3.11.1914: Returned to service and transferred to fish out of Fleetwood. George T. Armitage, Hull designated manager.
2.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1176). 14.5.1915: Registered at Hull as Princess Louis II (H140). Based Milford Haven.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
1.1920: Sold to Thomas Herbert Smith, Fleetwood. Thomas Herbert Smith designated managing owner.
15.1.1920: Hull registry closed.
16.1.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (FD365).
11.2.1920: Sale to John Gallen, Donegal, Co, Donegal not concluded.
2.6.1921: Sold to James William Armitage, Fleetwood. James William Armitage designated managing owner.
1.4.1922: Sold to The Sun Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood James W. Armitage designated manager.
1926: Sold to Cie Belge de Pecheries Maritimes, Ostend.
5.8.1926: Fleetwood registry closed.
1926: Re measured (Belgian Rules) 277g 100n 133.6 feet.
3.1926: Registered at Ostend as PASTOOR PYPE (O176).
1929: Sold to Dewsland Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
11.1929: Ostend registry closed.
1929: Re measured (BoT) 289.30g 115.15n 133.6 feet.
18.11.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD58). William A. Stonebanks designated manager.
28.11.1929: Registered at Fleetwood as DANELAND (FD58).
1935: Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Joseph A. Marr designated manager.
8.2.1935: Mortgaged to William Deacons Bank Ltd, London.
5.1.1937: Arrived Fleetwood under own power having been ashore at Tobermory for a fortnight.
Pre 8.1938: Laid up at Fleetwood.
6.4.1941: Sunk by German aircraft 30 miles N by 1/2 W of Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim; twelve crew rescued.
6.6.1941: Fleetwood registry closed “Sunk by enemy aircraft 6/4/41”.

Note* – Following BoT Inquiry at Hull the findings were published on 24.3.1914 concluding that;
“The stranding of, and serious damage to, the steam trawler PRINCESS LOUISE was caused by the wrongful act and default of the skipper and of the second hand. As the skipper on the early morning in question was suffering from very severe indisposition, as he bears an exceptionally good character and as he gave his evidence with absolute straightforwardness the Court suspends his ticket (No.6483) for three months only from the date hereof. The Court suspends the certificate (No.10696) of the second hand, who in his evidence displayed both ignorance and indifference and did not adequately assist the skipper, at a time when he most needed it, for a like period.”
BOT Stranding Report

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Daneland FD58

S.T. Daneland FD58
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Princess Louise H837

S.T. Princess Louise H837
Picture courtesy of the James Cullen Collection

Changelog
12/04/2014: Picture added.
08/10/2014: Picture added.
21/09/2015: Stranding information added.
04/11/2015: Posted BOT stranding report.
19/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
15/07/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Philip Godby FD405

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and Milford Trawlers

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3783
Official Number: 143785
Yard Number: 404
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 209
Net Tonnage: 126
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Engine: 550ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

24.9.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.404) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as PHILIP GODBY (Ad.No.3783).
1919: Sold to Henry Smethurst (64/64), Grimsby
6.5.1919: Completed.
15.5.1919: Registered at Grimsby (GY309).
9.5.1919: John Wintringham Smethurst appointed manager.
2.7.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to the London Joint City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
9.2.1920: Mortgage (A) discharged.
9.2.1920: Sold to The Derby Steam Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Bootle, Liverpool.
12.5.1920: Charles W. Pickering, Fleetwood appointed manager.
6.3.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London County, Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd (B).
18.10.1921: Mortgage (B) discharged.
24.10.1921: The Derby Steam Trawling Co Ltd in liquidation sold to Harry Pennington & Thomas George McKay, Bootle (joint owners).
26.10.1921: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London Joint City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (C).
4.11.1921: Jules Nierinck appointed manager.
17.12.1921: Mortgage (C) discharged.
19.12.1921: Sold to The Godby Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
21.12.1921; Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London Joint City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (D).
5.1.1922: Jules Nierinck appointed manager. 25.3.1922: Grimsby registry closed.
29.3.1922: Registered at Fleetwood (FD405).
17.9.1924: At Oban (Sk. W. Hargreaves) picked up doctor and landed him at St. Kilda to treat pneumonia outbreak.
11.12.1924: Sold to Neva Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (William W. Brierley, manager).
10.2.1925: Registered at Fleetwood as CISNELL (FD405).
3.1928: Sold to Thomas Jenkerson, Milford Haven (Jenkerson & Jones Ltd).
6.3.1928: Fleetwood registry closed.
7.3.1928: Registered at London (LO122).
29.3.1928: Registered at London as TOGIMO (LO122).
1938: Sold to Jenkerson & Jones Ltd, Milford Haven (Thomas Jenkerson, manager).
2.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service and appointed for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £90.12.6d/month).
13.11.1939: Returned to owner.
1.3.1940: Sailed Milford for fishing grounds (Sk. James Gale DSC); twelve crew.
11.2.1940: Off West coast of Ireland about 70 miles from the Fastnet, at 4.00 a.m. hauled and owing to damage prepared to change gear from one side of the ship to the other. At 5.00 a.m. ready to shoot trawl, shelled by U-boat (U.37), doused lights and tried to escape, but hit in chart room and ablaze. Crew abandoned in boat and trawler sunk by gunfire in approx position 50°40N/11°02W, one crewman killed (James Price (18), Co. Kildare, fireman). Boat in way of shell fall and Ch.Eng injured.
12.2.1940: After twenty-eight hours in the boat and with three badly injured men, all eleven picked up by Spanish steamer MONTE NAVAJO (5754grt/1920).
13.2.1940: Landed at Queenstown, Co.Cork.
17.2.1940: Crew returned to Milford.
1.3.1940: London registry closed “Sunk by enemy action”.

(Philip Godby , AB, age 43, b. Cricklade, Wiltshire – VICTORY (SB939))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Philip Godby LO122

S.T. Philip Godby LO122
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

Changelog
03/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
09/07/2017: Image added.

S.T. Orphesia FD119

Technical

Official Number: 124690
Yard Number: 98
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 273.41
Net Tonnage: 98.34
Length: 130.0 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.0 ft
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering & Dry Dock Co Ltd, North Shields
Boiler: Robert Stephenson & Co, Hebburn-on-Tyne

History

13.4.1907: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.98) for Staretta Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood as ORPHESIA.
5.1907: Completed.
5.6.1907: Registered at Fleetwood (FD119).
5.6.1907: John Richard Blezard designated manager.
8.6.1907: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (A).
29.4.1909: George Sutcliffe designated manager.
1.10.1909: John Nixon Ward designated manager.
6.5.1912: Magnus B. J. Wedum designated manager.
23.10.1913: Mortgage (A) discharged.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 105.68net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
30.4.1914: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Williams Deacon’s Bank Ltd, London (B).
27.12.1914: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.956).
27.12.1914: Commissioned at Fleetwood.
12.1.1915: Arrived Devonport. Fitted with WT (Call sign YFQ), Hotchkiss 6pdr and mine-sweep.
10.2.1915: Allocated Unit 62 – No.2 patrol based Falmouth (Lieut. J. A. Cowle RNR).
30.3.1915: Re-appointed Unit No.62 – Section B based Falmouth (Lieut. J. A. Cowle RNR).
26.11.1915: Sailed for Mediterranean.
1.1.1916: Based Malta with Unit 133 – patrol & escort duties.
22.7.1917: Sailed Alexandria with convoy, struck submerged wreck at 3.50 pm. and foundered at 6.00 pm.
4.10.1917: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel lost 22nd July 1917 whilst on Admiralty service”.

Changelog
03/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
08/07/2021: Updated history and technical details.