Tag Archives: Boston DSF & I

S.T. Grackle H224

Technical

Official Number: 136226
Yard Number: 171
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 191
Net Tonnage: 72
Length: 110.2 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Engine: 300ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole

History

19.11.1914: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.171) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd (64/64) Hull as GRACKLE.
8.1.1915: Registered at Hull (H224).
1.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper.
23.1.1915: George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London designated managers.
2.1915: Completed (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1218).
1918: Based Devonport.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
7.6.1919: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd, London (A). John Slater appointed manager.
6.3.1923: Mortgagee re-styled as 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.
28.9.1928: Robert Burton appointed manager.
16.9.1932: Charles Hugh Emerson appointed manager.
10.1932: Mercantile Marine Finance Corporation Ltd in liquidation.
1.11.1932: Mortgage (A) transferred to Harold Frank Hayward, London; Maud Florence Katherine Rogers, Chelsea and Ernest Norton, London (joint mortgagees).
3.1936: Combined boxing and trawling fleet of Kelsall Bros. & Beeching Ltd and the Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co Ltd consisting of 59 vessels laid up at Hull (declining catches, coal bill and increased maintenance costs had made the venture uneconomical).
6.3.1936: At Extraordinary General Meeting at Hull, Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd placed in Creditors’ Voluntary Winding-up (Richard Field Helm of Messrs Hodgson Harris & Co, London appointed liquidators).
9.10.1936: Sold to John Yolland Snr (64/64), Milford Haven under mortgage (A).
29.10.1936: John Yolland Snr designated manager.
30.4.1937: Sold to The Yolland Trawling Co Ltd (64/64) Milford Haven.
15.6.1937: John C. Llewellin appointed manager.
30.2.1939: On Westward grounds, third hand George Majoram (29), Hakin, washed overboard and drowned.
25.3.1941: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood (Sanctioned under MoWT ref. M151393/41 dated 4th March 1941).
29.3.1941: Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
19.6.1941: Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys reappointed manager.
16.4.1943: Sold to James Johnson (64/64), Scarborough (Sanctioned by MoWT ref M183950/43 dated 7th April 1943).
30.4.1943: James Johnson designated managing owner. Landing at Fleetwood from Icelandic grounds.
8.6.1943: Typical landing. 900 kits – cod/codling-500, haddock-80, flats-20, cats-300. 12.10.1944: Sold to Pair Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Milford Haven (Sanctioned by MoWT ref M4708/44 dated 11th October 1944).
27.10.1944: Henry John Richards designated manager.
18.3.1946: Sold to John Charles Llewellin (64/64), Milford Haven (Sanctioned by MoWT ref M2954/46 dated 16th March 1946).
21.4.1946: John Charles Llewellin designated manager.
14.6.1946: Sold to Walton Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Milford Haven (Sanctioned by MoWT ref M5850 dated 12th June 1946).
18.6.1946: John Charles Llewellin designated manager.
25.10.1951: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to John Charles Llewellin, Milford Haven to secure £1,000 at 41/2 % interest (B).
1955: Sold for breaking up.
19.5.1955: Hull registry closed “Except as relates to mortgage (B). Ship broken up”.

Notes

Skipper Charles Mewse and Second Hand George Cooper of the British trawler GRACKLE are awarded the Emile Robin award for their services in connection with the rescue of the crew of the Norwegian drifter RENASCENT. On 28 October, the RENASCENT, when about 90 miles east north-east from Lowestoft, in a rough sea, sprang a leak; the water was kept under control for several hours until the pumps became choked with coal dust and ashes. Some ten hours later the position became precarious and the GRACKLE, in answer to distress signals, arrived in the vicinity at 11.30 am. Skipper Mewse handled the GRACKLE with great ability, and a high degree of courage. He brought the GRACKLE right alongside the RENASCENT and took off the crew in a very rough sea, with a wind at or approaching gale force. The RENASCENT was rolling heavily and the GRACKLE bumped her head doing some damage to the upper works of the RENASCENT. There was considerable risk to the GRACKLE. The Norwegian drifter was left in a rapidly sinking condition and her crew were landed at Lowestoft.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Grackle H244

S.T. Grackle H244
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
21/12/2008: Page published. 2 updates since then.
29/01/2015: Added details of Emile Robin award.
07/06/2016: Added picture.
15/12/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Glenroy GY817

Technical

Official Number: 105527
Yard Number: 392
Completed: 1895
Gross Tonnage: 137
Net Tonnage: 55
Length: 100 ft
Breadth: 20.4 ft
Depth: 10.6 ft
Sir Raylton Dixon & Co, Middlesbrough
Engine: T.3-cyl by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland

History

2.9.1895: Launched by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.392) for William H. Johnson, Grimsby (managing owner) as Glenroy.
21.9.1895: Trials.
24.9.1895: Registered at Grimsby (GY817).
9.1895: Completed.
1896: Sold to John O. Spence, Grimsby (managing owner).
1899: Sold to Ellis, Spence & Co, Grimsby (William Ellis, manager).
7.1913: Sold to William Ellis, Grimsby (managing owner).
1914: New boiler fitted.
19.12.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.595).
9.1918: Sold to James Coombes, Grimsby (managing owner). Based Egypt.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
9.1925: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
By 6.1926: Registered office established at Fleetwood.
8.1928: Sold to Daniel Thorpe, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (managing owner).
15.8.1928: Grimsby registry closed.
16.8.1928: Registered at Lowestoft (LT400).
1930: Sold to Henry Thrower, Lowestoft (William Hutchings, manager).
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Fleetwood (John V. Breach managing agent).
1932: Sold to Sidney A. Loose, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (managing owner).
1935-36: Trawling from Fleetwood (John V. Breach managing agent).
3.1936: Joseph Robert Searles appointed manager.
2.4.1936: Last landing at Fleetwood, 78 boxes £125 gross. Laid up.
4.1936: Sold to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Preston.
20.4.1936: Sailed Fleetwood for Preston.
8.9.1936: Lowestoft registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Glenroy GY817

S.T. Glenroy GY817
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
21/12/2008: Page published. 3 updates since then.
17/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
18/11/2020: Updated history.

S.L. Glenogil A282

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 115716
Yard Number: 274
Completed: 1902
Gross Tonnage: 203.50
Net Tonnage: 68
Length: 115.4 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.9 ft
Post WW2: Re-measured 220g. 82.11n
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge
Built: Mackie & Thomson, Glasgow

History

3.9.1902: Launched by Mackie & Thomson, Glasgow (Yd.No.274) for John Stewart Boyle, Glasgow as GLENOGIL.
10.1902: Completed as a great liner/trawler.
3.10.1902: Registered at Glasgow (GW8). John Stewart Boyle designated managing owner.
8.12.1902: At Aberdeen, when outward for fishing grounds in collision with incoming steam trawler OCEAN RACER (A.871). Both vessels severely damaged and returned to berth. Repaired at a cost of £100.
10.9.1903: Towed disabled steam trawler JOHN S. BOYLE (GN10) from Granton to Aberdeen.
1905: Worked Icelandic herring fishery from Akureyri, Iceland with seine net in company with GLENISLA (GW10).
9.6.1906: Sailed Aberdeen in company with GLENISLA and GLAMIS CASTLE (GW12) for Akureyri, Iceland via Haugesund to pick up Norwegian crew members to prosecute the Icelandic herring fishery. Working drift and seine net with GLENISLA landing to curers at Aukureyri. Cured herring transported to Bremen by German herring carrier DARMSTADT (BB9)(151g/1896).
17.9.1906: Returned to Aberdeen in company with GLENISLA, having landed Norwegian crewmen at Haugesund.
6.11.1906: Fishing Shetland grounds (Sk. George Warman). Arrested by Fishery cruiser BRENDA (174grt/1898) (Capt Murdoch) allegedly fishing within the three mile limit on the west coast of Shetland; escorted to Lerwick.
7.11.1906: At Lerwick Sheriff Court, Warman pleaded guilty and was fined £50 with his port side trawl and gear confiscated.
8.12.1907: Fishing off Fair Isle in heavy weather when at about 6.00am. in collision with steam trawler OCEAN KING (A174) sustaining damage below the waterline and making water. Decided to run before the wind and set course for Lerwick arriving safely later in the day.
9.12.1907: Taken in hand for temporary repairs to allow passage to Aberdeen.
10.12.1907: Sailed for Aberdeen.
19??: Operating from Aberdeen as a great liner.
10.8.1911: Landed record line shot at Aberdeen, 30tons (just under 500 boxes) – £450.
1914: Fishing from Aberdeen (Sk. Robert Armour).
28.11.1911: In the North Sea in very bad weather, about 160 miles from Aberdeen sighted the Norwegian steamer BALDUIN (1017grt/1899) flying signals of distress, having lost her propeller. Agreed with the master that salvage should be rendered but it took some three hours in the prevailing weather conditions before the wire hawsers could be made fast and it was not until the afternoon that the tow got underway for Aberdeen.
30.11.1911: In the afternoon when off Aberdeen, and in a freshening wind, with coals getting short, summoned the steam trawler LACERTA (GY641) by whistle and asked to standby. Subsequently LACERTA asked to put a warp on the BALDUIN’s starboard bow which was accepted by the crew and made fast; she remained with the steamer until she was safely delivered to Aberdeen and berthed in Victoria Dock.
6.3.1912: At Aberdeen Sheriff Court an action was raised at the insistence of John S. Boyle, owner of the GLENOGIL for salvage services rendered, against Fred Olsen, Christiania, Norway, owner of the BALDUIN. The claim was for salvage remuneration, loss and damage stated at £5,000 in respect of the salvage services rendered by the GLENOGIL, her master and crew and interest from 30.11.1911, the date BALDUIN was safely delivered to Aberdeen.
25.5.1912: At the Court of Sessions, Edinburgh, two actions were brought before Lord Dewar; by the GLENOGIL, her master and crew for salvage services rendered to the BALDUIN and a claim of £5,000 and by the LACERTA, master and crew for salvage services rendered to the BALDUIN and a claim for £500. The defendants Counsel stated that the value of the BALDUIN did not exceed £5,500 and her cargo of pit props did not exceed £5,250. The Counsel also stated that the service of the LACERTA was not rendered in circumstances of difficulty or danger and the warp was accepted and secured in the belief that her skipper was acting on the instructions, and at the request of and arrangement with, the master of the GLENOGIL.
14.11.1913: Court of Sessions, Edinburgh. Case due for reconsideration, outcome unknown. *
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 82.11net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907
8.9.1914: Homeward from the fishing grounds (Sk. Robert Armour). At about 1.30am. observed distress signals. Great care and seamanship was required before they could close the vessel to discover HM Armed Merchant Cruiser OCEANIC (17274grt/1899) (Capt. William Slayter RN – Cdr H. Smith RNR, Master) stranded on Hoevdi Grund Rocks, 2.5 miles E by S of South Ness, Foula, Shetland Isles (60.07N 01.58W). Connected and with others attempted to tow off but hawsers broke several times. Abandoned salvage and with skilful manoeuvring through the heavy swell and fog secured alongside the OCEANIC, embarked all 400 crew. Sk. Armour then steamed to the HM Armed Merchant Cruiser ALSATION (18481grt/1913) (P.No.M.50) which was laid off in deeper water. Returning to the OCEANIC, the remaining 200 crew members were embarked and ferried to the cruiser. Returning for a third time, a large amount of gold bullion was taken onboard along with other valuables and transferred to ALSATION.
10.9.1914: Arrived Aberdeen to land.
8.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence trawler (Ad.No.103). Based Swarbacks Minn, Shetland.
1919: Sold to Archibald G. Brown, Granton Archibald G. Brown designated managing owner.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Scarborough.
1920: Sold to Thomas Davidson, Alexander Aitkin Davidson, William Wood Snr & William Wood Jnr, Aberdeen.
2.1920: Glasgow registry closed.
10.2.1920: Registered at Aberdeen (A282). Alexander A. Davidson designated managing owner.
30.12.1927: Homeward from Longstone grounds (Sk. William Wood), off mouth of Firth of Forth, picked up crew of steam trawler EBOR (H360) which had foundered and landed them at Leith.
4.11.1933: Sold to Alexander Aitkin Davidson, William Wood Snr & William Wood Jnr, Aberdeen. Alexander A. Davidson designated managing owner.
3.4.1939: Sold to William Wood Snr & William Wood Jnr, Aberdeen. William Wood Jnr designated managing owner.
24.1.1940: Sold to William Wood Jnr, Aberdeen. William Wood Jnr designated managing owner.
25.1.1941: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood. Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
17.2.1943: Sold to Robert Alfred Colby Cubbin (64/64), Douglas, IoM.
17.2.1943: Robert Alfred Colby Cubbin designated managing owner.
15.4.1943: Aberdeen registry closed.
19.4.1943: Registered at Peel (PL59).
1943: Working Faroe grounds from Fleetwood.
3.6.1943: Typical landing. 409 kits, cod/codling-250, haddock-23, whiting-58, flats-63, ling/coley-15.
1951: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos W. Ward, Sheffield for breaking up.
20.8.1951: Arrived Preston.
1951: Peel registry closed.

* The case was heard again on 14.11.1913 but unfortunately we have no detail of the judgement.

(Record line shot for Aberdeen fish market, 1911)
From the 1880s, Aberdeen became well known for its fleet of steam trawlers. Line fishing was also carried out though. The advantage of line fishing was that the fish were much better quality. Fish caught in a trawl can be crushed or damaged. This was not the case with line-caught fish.
‘Record, line caught prime fish for Aberdeen fish market, Steam Liner “GLENOGIL”, August 16th 1911, £450 – 30 tons’, equivalent to just under five hundred boxes, fishing vessel owned by John S. Boyle.)

Changelog
21/12/2008: Page published. 2 updates since then.
27/11/2017: Major information update.
15/11/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Ferrol FD124

Technical

Official Number: 148222
Yard Number: ??
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 271
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Davie Shipbuilding & Repair Co Ltd, Levis, Quebec
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

History

1.1917: Ordered.
5.6.1918: Launched by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Levis, Quebec, Canada (Yd.No.) (Canadian “Castle”- “T.R.” class) for The Admiralty (paid for and built for under direction of RCN) as TR.36.
5.6.1918: Completed and commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy (1-12pdr).
7.1.1919: Paid off.
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.
1.1926: Still laid up.
2.1926: Rejected offer for all remaining trawlers at £2,000 each (B. Allenby, Aberdeen letter dated 10 Feb 1926).
8.1926: Sold “as is” to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (F. Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
8.12.1931: On a trip to Butt of Lewis ground (Sk. Robert Stafford). At about 06.00 a.m. in the darkness with strong southerly wind and sea, stranded Crianan Head, 3 miles W of Tuipan Head Lighthouse, Eye Peninsular, Isle of Lewis. William Atkinson, mate, managed to get on cliff face with line and crew evacuated. After two hours reached the top of cliffs and walked to Sheshader village. Vessel a total loss, but all crew of twelve safe. Only wheelhouse and funnel above water.
25.8.1932: Fleetwood registry closed “Total loss”. (BoT awarded a binocular glass to William Atkinson, in recognition of the services rendered by him to enable his shipmates to reach safety.)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Ferrol FD124

S.T. Ferrol FD124
Picture as TR36 courtesy of Ronnie Bell

S.T. TR36

S.T. TR36
Launching picture courtesy of Ronnie Bell

Changelog
26/04/2014: Information updated.
28/10/2016: Image added.

S.T. Princess Victoria (2) FD50

Technical

Official Number: 137380
Yard Number: 720
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 245
Net Tonnage: 93
Length: 124.8 ft
Breadth: 22.7 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Cooper & Greig Ltd, Dundee
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

22.3.1916: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.720) for The Dodds Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen as PRINCESS VICTORIA.
9.1916: Completed (William H. Dodds, manager).
11.12.1916: Registered at North Shields (SN321).
1.1917: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdrAA) (Ad.No.3320). Based Newhaven.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Aberdeen.
12.5.1924: Arrived Aberdeen having lost man overboard.
6.1929: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
15.6.1929: North Shields registry closed.
19.6.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD50).
1.1930: Sold to Northern Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Edwin Pearson, Cleethorpes, manager).
14.1.1930: Fleetwood registry closed.
16.1.1930: Registered at Grimsby (GY166).
12.1933: Sold to Sir Thomas Robinson & Son (Grimsby) Ltd, Grimsby (Frank W. Robinson, manager).
18.1.1934: Registered at Grimsby as MARANO (GY166).
11.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minesweeping duties (P.No.FY.777) (Hire rate £69.8.4d/month).
5.1942: Sold to J. Bennett (Wholesale) Ltd, London (William A. Bennett, manager).
8.1.1945: Returned to owner.
10.1947: Sold to Shire Trawlers Ltd, London (William A. Bennett, manager).
3.1948: Sold to Benjamin Gelcer, Cape Town. Registered at Cape Town(CTA306?).
1953: Owners re-styled B. Gelcer & Co (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town.
1957: Stripped of non-ferrous metals and usable materials.
4.11.1957: Sunk by Naval gunfire in False Bay.

Click to enlarge images

HMT Marano

HMT Marano
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Princess Victoria FD50

S.T. Marano GY166
Picture courtesy of Steve Farrow

Changelog
20/12/2008: Page published. 5 updates since then.
29/01/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.