Tag Archives: Boston DSF & I

S.T. Wellvale FD140

Additional information courtesy of Tony Rodaway

Technical

Official Number: 148227
Yard Number: ??
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 271
Net Tonnage: 124
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5
Depth: 12.7
Built: Canadian Vickers Ltd, Montreal, Canada
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Canadian Vickers Ltd, Montreal, Canada

History

1.1917: Ordered.
1918: Launched by Canadian Vickers Ltd, Montreal, Canada (Yd.No.) (Canadian “Castle” – “T.R.” class) for The Admiralty (paid for and built under direction of RCN) as TR.28.
30.5.1918: Completed (1-12pdr) and commissioned in Royal Canadian Navy.
31.1.1919: Paid off and laid up.
1920: Accepted offer of Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd, Inverness (Captain D. J. Munro as agent) to bring drifters with trawlers as escorts to UK for lay-up in Muirtown Basin, Caledonian Canal, Inverness prior to sale and possible refit for classification as steam trawlers (The Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd letter dated 12 April 1920).
1921: Brought over at The Admiralty’s expense for lay-up.
1.1926: Still laid up.
2.1926: Rejected offer for all remaining trawlers of £2,000 each (B. Allenby, Aberdeen letter dated 10 Feb 1926).
8.1926: Sold “as is” to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby (Fred. Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
22.9.1926: Registered at Fleetwood as WELLVALE (FD140).
20.5.1927: Sold to Arthur S. Bowlby, Harlow (Edward D. W. Lawford c/o Iago Steam Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven, manager). Continued to fish from Fleetwood.
1932: Laid up at Fleetwood.
8.11.1932: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
5/6/7.1933: Chartered for by Italian Government to provide support for a trans Atlantic flight involving 20 to 30 aeroplanes.
6.4.1935: Arrived Fleetwood on evening tide in tow of AUTHORPE (FD91) having sustained crank shaft damage on the fishing grounds.
12.9.1939: Missing since this date. “Presumed sunk by enemy action”.
16.9.1939: Believed lost off the Hebrides by U-boat action, but not recorded (U.35 was in the area); Sk. F. W. Slapp and twelve crew lost.
17.1.1940: Fleetwood registry closed “Missing since 12/9/1939. Sunk by enemy action”.

(Lost – Sk. F. W. Slapp, R. Barcock, J. W. Eastham, M. J. Gordon, T. W. Grayson, George Grimley (31), 2nd Eng. b. Co.Armagh, R. R. Gunn, H. Parker, P. Speariett, G. R. Townsend, I. P. Turner, W. Wright)

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Wellvale FD140

S.T. Wellvale FD140
Picture © John Clarkson

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published.
27/04/14: Information updated.
29/03/2019: Information updated.

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

Technical

Official Number: 162067
Yard Number: 963
Completed: 1934
Gross Tonnage: 433
Net Tonnage: 162
Length: 157.3 ft
Breadth: 26.4
Depth: 12.3
Engine: 137ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

18.12.1933: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.963) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as MAVIS ROSE.
15.1.1934: Registered at Fleetwood (FD14).
1.1934: Completed (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
9.1935: As a result of the Abyssinian crisis and failure of British diplomacy, the Government authorised The Admiralty to procure twenty modern trawlers for conversion to minor war vessels.
11.1935: Following successful trials sold to The Admiralty. Fitted out as a “Gem” class anti-submarine trawler.
21.11.1935: Fleetwood registry closed. Renamed HMTrawler AGATE (P.No.T.87).
6.8.1941: In command of Py/Ty/Lieut. Leonard H. Cline RNR, part of east coast convoy FS 59 – Methil, Tyne & Sunderland for Thames. In poor visibility and NNW to NW gale, lost after running on Haisborough Sands off Cromer in position 52°54.30N/01°43.50E, along with eight cargo vessels* that followed the Commodore (Lt Cdr R J Stephens RNR -KENTAR) on an incorrect course and were not informed to alter course. AGATE Captain attempted to warn others but went aground at 3.59am; 18 crew including Captain lost and 8 saved.

* OXSHOTT, GALLOIS, DEERWOOD, ABERHILL, AFON TOWY, BETTY HINDLEY and TAARA.

(MPK – Py/Ty/Lieut. Leonard H. Cline PNR; Ty/Sub Lieut. Peter G. Beard RNR; Ty/Sub Lieut. Arthur G. Tree RNVR; Alfred H. Lewis, Engineman; Peter Robertson, AB; Sidney Burrett, James Cargill. Sidney Hood (killed), Charles Scraton, Richard Stephens, Seamen; James Donelly, Norman MacBeath, O/S; Michael Joyce, O/S Cook; Reginald N. McBurney, O/S Steward; Timothy C. Shields Ldg Stoker; Victor W. Pascoe, James W. Wilson, Stokers; Frederick C. Brill, Stoker 2nd class)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14 as HMT Agate

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14 as HMT Agate

HMT Agate

HMT Agate

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.

S.T. Eva Wales FD85

Technical

Official Number: 136900
Yard Number: 167
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 251
Net Tonnage: 101
Length: 125 ft
Breadth: 22.7 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repair Co Ltd
Engine: 77bhp T.3-cyl by Lidgerwood Ltd, Glasgow
Boiler: C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

21.10.1914: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.167) for Thomas James Wales, Fleetwood (managing owner) as EVA WALES.
12.1.1915: Registered at Fleetwood (FD85).
1.1915: Requisitioned for war service.
16.1.1915: Requisitioned for was service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr & Hydrophone) (Ad.No.966). Fitted as Leader.
1917: Based Malta with Unit 35.
1918: Based Aegean Sea.
1918: Sold to The Red Rose Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Joseph A. Taylor, manager).
12.3.1919: Required for Post-War Service.
1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1924: William W. Brierley appointed manager.
3.1928: Sold to North Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (John A. Harrow, manager).
28.3.1928: Fleetwood registry closed.
5.4.1928: Registered at Aberdeen (A327).
12.6.1929: Sold to North Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd & Mrs Emily Elizabeth Annison, Aberdeen (John A. Harrow, manager).
24.3.1930: On arrival in Aberdeen from the fishing grounds reported that Ernest Annison, brother of the Skipper had been lost overboard off Shetland and drowned.
9.5.1931: Sold to North Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (John A. Harrow, manager).
14.6.1934: Registered at Aberdeen as AVONSTREAM (A327) (BoT Minute M/RG1242/34 dated 2.6.1934).
1934: Converted to dry cargo. Re-measured 232g 101n.
29.3.1940: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service (Hire rate £69.0.6d/month).
14.1.1940: Fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.1529).
18.9.1940: Additional minesweeping equipment fitted.
7.1945: Returned to owner.
1.8.1945: Sold to Manor Steamship Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Reginald L. Hancock, manager).
1.8.1945: Aberdeen registry closed.
3.8.1945: Registered at Milford (M75).
3.3.1946: Sold to Haven Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (Robert P. Lewis, manager).
21.3.1953: Sold to Haven Trawlers Ltd (21/64), Milford Haven Coal Supplies Ltd (21/64) & William H. Kerr (21/64), Milford Haven (Robert P. Lewis, manager).
9.2.1954: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd, Milford Haven Coal Supplies Ltd & William H. Kerr, Milford Haven (Owen W. Limbrick, manager).
9.1955: Sold to Belgian shipbreakers for breaking up.
19.9.1955: Milford registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Eva Wales FD85

S.T. Eva Wales FD85
Picture from the Internet

HMT Avonstream

HMT Avonstream
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

HMT Avonstream

S.T. Avonstream M75
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
31/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
31/07/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Hagnaby (1) BN179

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow, Milford Trawlers and Granton Trawlers

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3587
Official Number: 143809
Yard Number: 382
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 281
Net Tonnage: 109
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

2.11.1917: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.382) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as RICHARD BACON (Ad.No.3587).
12.3.1918: Completed as an armed trawler (Commissioned) (1-12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
8.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as RICHARD BACON O.N.143809.
1919: Allocated to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries and engaged in commercial trawling.
1920: Allocated to the National Fishery Scheme for the setting up of the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
13.08.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
24.08.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO438).
11.1920: At HM Dockyard, Pembroke completed fitting out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100 A1 Stm Trawler at Milford.
01.1922: Scheme abandoned, the necessary working capital of £100,000 having not been subscribed.
1922: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Boston.
7.7.1922: London registry closed.
7.1922: Registered at Boston as HAGNABY (BN179). Fred Parkes, Wyberton designated manager.
1923: Occasional landings at Fleetwood.
2.1925: Sold to Victor Fourny, Boulogne sur Mer.
2.1925: London registry closed.
2.1925: Remeasured 282Bgrt 54Bnet.
2.1925: Registered at Boulogne as PROFESSEUR BERGONIÉ.
10.06.1925: Arrived Plymouth with the Boulogne steam trawler IMPRÉVU (B789) picked up disabled with damaged propeller.
1930: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
3.1930: Boulogne registry closed.
3.1930: Tonnages reverted to 280.82g 108.82n.
4.3.1930: Registered at Fleetwood as DAILY CHRONICLE (FD69). Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated manager.
18.07.1930: Christopher Anderson, Bosun, (20) Fleetwood was washed overboard and drowned. His father William Anderson, was also drowned from a trawler five years ago.
5/6/7.1933: Chartered by Italian Government to provide support for a trans Atlantic flight involving 20 to 30 aeroplanes (Sk. Arthur Lewis).
12.8.1934: On St. Kilda ground in collision with steam trawler JACINTA (FD235) which sustained damage to starboard side. No damage.
11.1934: Sold to Thomas L. Devlin & Sons, Granton.
5.11.1934: Fleetwood registry closed.
28.11.1934: Registered at Granton as COMMODATOR (GN6) (BoT Minute M/R.G. No.1449/1934 dated 26.11.1934). Thomas L. Devlin Jnr designated manager. 3.12.1936: Homeward from fishing grounds, struck by heavy seas and with slack bunkers took on a dangerous list to port carrying away all moveable deck fittings, some fishing gear and railings. Cut away remainder of fishing gear and crew went below to trim bunkers. On completion set course for Aberdeen to land and effect repairs.
24.07.1939: Arrived at Wick Caithness to land John Fegan, fireman, of Lochend Road, Edinburgh, who sustained injuries to his back while the vessel was at the fishing grounds the previous night. Fegan was taken by ambulance to Pignold Hospital Wick.
29.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.634) (Hire rate £84.6.0d/month).
01.01.1940: Skipper William Limb, R.N.R awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). 1942: Sold to Thomas L. Devlin & Sons Ltd, Granton. Thomas L. Devlin Jnr designated manager.
1943: Sold to Mrs E. D. Breen, Edinburgh.
6.1945: Sold to Grimsby Merchants Amalgamated Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
6.1945: Granton registry closed.
18.6.1945: Registered at Grimsby (GY57). Harvey Wilfred Wilson designated manager.
4.10.1945: Re-classed at Glasgow and returned to owner.
15.2.1946: Sold to Richard Gordon Parsley (64/64), Milford Haven.
21.2.1946: Richard Gordon Parsley designated managing owner.
28.2.1946: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
24.4.1946: Put in to Berehaven, Co. Cork after 140 tons of bunker coal shifted in 85mph gale force conditions some 70 miles off the SW coast of Ireland and put her on her beam ends. Crew spent five and a half hours trimming bunkers to restore her to an even keel.
26.7.1948: Registered at Grimsby as LYNANDI (GY57) (MoT Minute R.G.No.1224/1948 dated 31.5.1948).
14.1.1954: Fishing off Old Head of Kinsale (Sk. W. G. King) experienced boiler problems, blew down and lost power. INVERFORTH (GN52) (Sk. Ambrose Setterfield) connected and commenced tow to Milford.
16.1.1954: In the early hours in very heavy weather tow parted and vessel in danger of drifting on to St. Ann’s Head. At 12.15 a.m. Angle lifeboat (Cox Alfred Watkins) launched and shortly afterwards tug EMPIRE ROSA (292grt/1946) left Pembroke Dock to assist. Both were unable to reach the trawler with wave heights of 40ft and returned to Milford. Also standing by with the INVERFORTH was the trawler THOMAS BOOTH (M274) (Sk. E. Robins) and as the weather moderated the Angle lifeboat and the EMPIRE ROSA returned to the scene, the latter connecting at 11.00 a.m. and despite parting the line on one occasion, the vessel with INVERFORTH and Angle lifeboat in company was delivered to Milford, anchoring at 4.15 p.m.
1954: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
29.7.1954: Delivered Castle Pill for breaking up.
19.10.1954: Grimsby registry closed “except so far as relates to mortgage (A)”. “Vessel broken up”.
8.11.1954: “Registry finally closed on discharge of mortgage (A)”. Receipt produced dated 30.7.1954.

(Richard Bacon, AB (volunteer), age 47, b. Salisbury, Wiltshire – VICTORY (SB645))

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S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69

S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69

S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69
Wellvale inboard.
Picture courtesy of The David Buckley Collection.

S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69

S.T. Daily Chronicle FD69
Picture courtesy of The John Stevenson Collection

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
13/01/2017: Information updated.
24/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
22/04/2019: Added an image.
22/12/2020: Updated information.
05/01/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Capstone FD78

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson and Barry Johnson Milford Trawlers

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3159
Official Number: 143847
Yard Number: 698
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet.
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.3 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Southbank-on-Tees
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Hebburn-on-Tyne
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr

History

19.2.1917: Laid down.
6.6.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.698) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES ROBERTSON (Ad.No.3159).
12.7.1917: Completed (1-12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
19.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as JAMES ROBERTSON O.N.143847.
19.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO331).
3.1920: Transferred to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries and engaged in commercial trawling (one of 36 vessels transferred).
1.4.1920 – 12.12.1921: Landing at Milford.
1921: Sold to David Pettit, Hakin.
1921: Sold to D. Pettit Ltd, Milford Haven (David Pettit, Hakin, manager).
19.12.1921: London registry closed.
21.12.1921: Registered at Milford (M243).
1.1922: Registered at Milford as CAPSTONE (M243).
28.3.1923: At Milford landed crew of French schooner MADELON destroyed by fire 70 miles WNW of Bishops Rock whilst on passage Fécamp towards Newfoundland.
3.5.1925: Fishing 140 miles NW by N of Bull Rock went to assistance of COTSMUIR (M244) disabled with broken tailshaft. Connected and towed to Milford.
6.5.1925: Arrived Milford.
30.10.1932: Damaged propeller on underwater object. CLYRO (M425) connected and towed to Milford.
17.11.1933: Fishing 25 miles W of Smalls in E fresh gale, hauled to go to assistance of Whitehaven steam coaster HOLME FORCE (1216g/1930) in light condition Brest for Fleetwood, in distress having lost propeller on previous night off Bishops Rock. With difficulty connected and commenced tow to Milford.
18.11.1933: Arrived Milford. Subsequently awarded £1000 salvage money.
1934: Mrs Elizabeth A. H. Pettit appointed manager.
25.10.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys appointed manager.
29.1.1935: Returned to Fleetwood with storm damage sustained 80 miles off Northern Ireland coast when knocked on beam ends and slack bunkers shifted (Sk. Charles Seeling). Damage included wheelhouse windows broken, lifeboat lost, all moveable fittings including fishing gear swept away, WT and aerials damaged, put out all fires apart from main furnace and flooded cabins.
13.4.1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Basil A, Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde appointed manager.
2.5.1938: Milford registry closed.
3.5.1938: Registered at Hull (H522).
30.5.1940: At Hull last landing before requisitioning. Faroe trip, 13 days – 418kits £826 gross.
1.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No.FY1555) and also employed on auxiliary patrol (P.No.4.174) (Hire rate £80.4.2d/month).
20.6.1941: Shot down a German bomber (Sk. A. E. Rudd RNR).
9.1941: Employed minesweeping.
10.1945: Returned and re-classed at Liverpool (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
7.1945: Sold to The Wyre Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd, managers).
7.1945: Hull registry closed.
26.7.1945: Registered at Fleetwood (FD78).
2.1947: On a trip to the Porcupine Bank ground SW of Ireland (Sk. James Harper).
10.2.1947: In the early morning in heavy seas and high wind started to ship large amounts of water and failing to clear quickly entered below deck. With steam pumps inoperative manned the hand pumps and sounded distress with siren. Steam trawler RICHARD CROFTS (LO365) (Sk. Bobby Kettle) nearby, responded and stood by prepared to recover the crew if necessary, but the skippers decided to make for Castetownbere, Co. Cork just over 100 miles away.
11.2.1947: Arrived Castletownbere safely with RICHARD CROFTS in attendance.
23.12.1948: Registered at Fleetwood as WYRE CAPTAIN (FD78).
1954: Transferred to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (Leslie Wheildon, manager) on purchase of Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd by Associated Fisheries Group.
1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
15.9.1960: Delivered Barrow-in-Furness from Fleetwood under own power.

(James Robertson, Quartergunner, age 37, b. Hardwick, Vermont, America – ROYAL SOVEREIGN (SB114)) OR James Robertson, Midshipman, age 22, b. Stornoway, Isle of Lewis – VICTORY

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Wyre Captain FD78

S.T. Wyre Captain FD78
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
24/09/2003: Page published. 3 updates since then.
25/02/2015: Information updated.
30/12/2015: Information updated.
28/10/2019: Information updated.