Tag Archives: Castle

S.T. Flanders FD165

Additional material courtesy of Bill Blow and Brian Booth

Technical

Official Number: 144391
Yard number: 417
Completed: 1919
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 289
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 500ihp T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Boiler: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

18.6.1919: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.417)(“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as the CHARLES ANTRAM (Ad.No.4401).
13.2.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel.
25.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty as a fishing vessel at London (LO335). Official No.144391.
29.8.1921: Sold to Société Anonyme Armement Ostendais, Ostend for £7000.
6.9.1921: London registry closed.
25.9.1921: Registered at Ostend as EDMOND VAN BEVEREN (O147).
27.9.1921: Arrived Ostend 1930s: Landing occasionally at Fleetwood.
1.1939: Sold to Rhondda Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby .
1.1939: Ostend registry closed.
12.1.1939: Registered at Grimsby as FLANDERS (GY10).
12.1.1939: Sir John Denton Marsden, Bart appointed manager.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service and as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.600) (Hire rate £90.7.0d/month). Outfitting on Tyne.
27.1.1940: Ty/Sk. C. Evans RNR appointed CO. Based Tyne with M/S Group 54.
1.1941: Based Granton with M/S Group 33.
18.1.1941: Ty/Sk. Alex Watson DSC RNR appointed CO.
5.4.1942: Lieut. J. Mathew Clark-Campbell RN appointed CO. Based Dundee with M/S Group 32.
20.10.1942: Ty/Lieut. P. S. Stevenson RNVR appointed CO.
9.11.1942: Sold to Mason Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
12.11.1942: Robert Houseman Bagshaw appointed manager.
1944: Based Stornoway.
21.11.1944: Off Tiree, picked up eight crew members of RAF Halifax – LL510 of 518 Squadron on Met duty from Tiree which ditched after engine problems on take off. Landed survivors at Tiree.
11.1945: Paid off.
11.12.1945: Returned to owner.
18.1.1946: Grimsby registry closed.
23.4.1946: Registered at Fleetwood (FD165).
9.11.1947: Responded to wireless call from steam trawler THOMAS ALTOFT (H132) stranded on rocks off Eilean Glas, Harris. With great seamanship, Sk. Kirby took his vessel between the rocks five times and by 3.00am. all fifteen crew taken off.
29.12.1950: Fishing about 15 miles SW of Barra, at about 1330 observed RAF Halifax – ST798 of 202 Squadron, Aldergrove (Sqd Ldr. Terence R. Cox) crash in sea. Hauled and steamed to area, some wreckage found but no survivors.
15.1.1951: Body of Sqd Ldr. Cox, and aircraft wreckage, recovered by Milford motor trawler MILFORD COUNTESS (M128) (Sk. J. R. Clark) whilst fishing 20 miles W of Castlebay, Barra. Landed body and wreckage at Tobermoray, Mull.
2/3.3.1957: Attempted to refloat SETHON (FD166) (Sk. J.E. Mitchinson) stranded on Black Rock, Sound of Islay. First attempt tow parted and subsequent attempt aborted when tide failed to make as predicted.
7.11.1959: Sold to BISCO and allocated to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
16.11.1959: Sailed Fleetwood for Troon.
17.11.1959: Delivered Troon Harbour (draughts 6’3”/14’6”).
11.1.1960: Breaking commenced.
19.2.1960: Beached (draughts 6’8”/10’6”).
19.5.1960: Breaking completed.
1960: Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Flanders FD165

S.T. Flanders FD165
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Flanders FD165

S.T. Flanders FD165
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

S.T. Flanders FD165

S.T. Flanders FD165 in the Fish Dock
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Flanders FD165

S.T. Flanders FD165
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
21/04/2017: Removed disputed image and added another.
30/08/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Our Monica FD413

Technical

Official Number: 141963
Yard Number: 202
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 120
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: 89hp T.3-cyl and boiler by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne
Built: C. Rennoldson & Co, South Shields

History

17.2.1919: Launched by C. Rennoldson & Co, South Shields (Yd.No.202) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES GILL.
1919: Sold to Société Anonyme “Delta”. Ostend (J. H. Nierinck, manager)
8.1919: Completed. Registered at Ostend as PIERRE FRANCOIS DESWARTE (O207).
9.1922: Sold to Jules H. Nierinck, Blackpool (managing owner).
10.1922: Ostend registry closed.
5.10.1922: Registered at Fleetwood as OUR MONICA (FD413).
9.10.1924: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby (Fred Parkes, Wyberton, manager).
8.6.1929: Sold to McRae Steam Trawling Co, Milford Haven (John McR. Knight manager).
14.6.1929: Fleetwood registry closed.
18.6.1929: Registered at Milford (M17).
22.7.1929: Registered at Milford as HELEN McRAE (M17).
1.8.1929: First landing at Milford.
1929: Sold to John McR. Knight, Milford Haven (managing owner).
23.11.1936: Sold to George Knight, James Yeandle, George T. Kelway, Milford & Ivor J. Powell, Neath (Harry Easto Rees, manager).
25.11.1936: Sold to Milford Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Harry Eastoe Rees, manager).
12.1936: Registered at Milford as MILFORD DUCHESS (M17).
1.1.1937: First landing at Milford.
9.9.1938: James Carpenter Ward appointed manager.
28.8.1939: Last landing before requisition.
31.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (Hire rate £85.18.9d/month). Converted by Philip & Son Ltd, Dartmouth (1-12pdr) (P.No. FY.613).
1.1.1941: Based at Portsmouth (Ty/Lieut. R.P. Drane RNVR).
6.1941: At Portsmouth with M/S Group 55 (Senior Officer – Acting Ty/Lieut Cdr R. P. Drane RNVR).
8.12.1944: Returned to owner at Milford.
3.1945: Completed Special following restoration at Milford.
27.3.1945: First Post War landing at Milford.
2.4.1948: Last landing at Milford.
4.1948 Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
16.4.1948: Milford registry closed.
4.1948: Registered at Fleetwood as DINAS (2) (FD268).
6.1954: Sold to Hammond Lane Foundry Ltd, Dublin for breaking up.
6.1954: Arrived Dublin from Fleetwood under own power. Fleetwood registry closed.

(James Gill, AB (volunteer), age 42, b. Poole, Dorset – VICTORY (SB637))

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Milford Duchess M17

S.T. Milford Duchess M17
Picture courtesy of Greenday (TPF)

S.T. Dinas FD268

S.T. Dinas FD268
Picture © Peter Brady

S.T. Dinas FD268

S.T. Dinas FD268
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.

S.T. San Sebastian FD126

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger
Technical

Official Number: 148223
Yard Number: 57
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 271
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
Engine: T.3-cyl by Marine Iron Works, Chicago.
Boiler: 480ihp Canadian Allis Chalmers Ltd, Toronto

History

1.1917: Ordered.
1918: Launched by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada (Yd.No.57) (Canadian “Castle” – “T.R.” class) for The Admiralty (paid for and built under direction of RCN) as TR.11.
28.6.1918: Completed and commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy (1-123pdr).
8.1919: 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.
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, Grimsby (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
17.9.1926: Renamed SAN SEBASTIAN (FD126).
04.1932: On three month charter to Sea Fisheries Association of Ireland, to fish out of Dublin, Galway and other ports. Charter to be exended if needed.
05.05.1932: Sailed for Ireland.
17.1.1933: At 6.58 am. stranded near White Beach Point, NE side of Galway Bay, propeller damaged (Sk. William McLennan). At 8.32 am. trawler MALAGA (GY393) (Sk. W. Kay) standing by and will connect and attempt to refloat. At 11.30 am. refloated and taken to anchorage to await tide to Galway. Due to dense fog unable to find the port for 24 hours.
18.01.1933: Spotted in fog by the pilot boat and guided into Galway.
5.6.7.1933: Chartered by Italian Government to provide support for a transAtlantic flight involving 20 to 30 aeroplanes.
9.5.1933: Sailed Fleetwood for NW Atlantic.
19.5.1933: Arrived St. John’s, Newfoundland.
9.1.1937: Sailed Fleetwood at 9.40 a.m. for West of Scotland grounds with a crew of thirteen (Sk. Richard W. Pook).
10.1.1937: At approx 2.5 a.m. ran into heavy rain and reduced visibility of about 2 miles. At approx 3.10 a.m. stranded on rocks off Iommalach Rock 2 miles off Ardbeg, Islay. Pounded heavily on rocks and rolled over to starboard. Crew abandoned and eight men landed on rocks, skipper on a separate rock; four crew lost.
11.1.1937: At about 9.00 a.m. eight men rescued from rock by PIBROCH (96grt/1923) on passage Glasgow-Port Ellen. At approx 2.0 p.m. skipper rescued.
2.2.1937: Fleetwood registry closed “Total loss”.
23.3.1937: At BOT Formal Investigation (No.S.382), it was concluded that the stranding and subsequent loss was caused by the wrongful act and defaults of Sk. Pook. His ticket was suspended for twelve months. It was also found that the stranding and total loss was caused by the defaults of the mate James A. Maunder. He was severely censured.

(Survivors (all Fleetwood unless stated)- Sk. Richard Pook; James Maunder, Mate; Harold Evans, Bosun; William Pye, Ch.Eng; James McLellan; Gilbert Pook; Robert Allen; James Meagher, deckhands; Frank Haugherty, Rochdale, fireman.
Lost – T. W. Archer, 2nd Eng; W. Sharp; Joseph Cox, Blackpool; Joseph Gledhill, Heywood, deckhands.)

Notes

It was a case of every man for himself when SAN SEBASTIAN hit rocks and the crew were thrown overboard.
Four men died and the rest of the shipmates spent hours clinging to rocks before being rescued. The Skipper – who had been seen in hanging in the rigging – was stranded on rocks for 10 hours!

She struck rocks off the coast of the island of Islay, Argyllshire, on her way to the fishing grounds.
A crew member revealed what happened as the ship foundered.

“We felt the ship strike and could see we were on a reef. We launched the lifeboat but it crashed against the rail of the ship. Eight of us were thrown into the sea. The SAN SEBASTIAN had a dangerous list and although we were hanging on we were swept overboard. The last time I saw the Skipper he was in the rigging.”

“I got on the rocks and others came up in the darkness. We counted ourselves and found only 8 present. None of us were fully clothed and we were on the rocks for 7 hours.”
They were picked up by the Glasgow Steamer, Pibroch, and three bodies were later recovered.
Skipper Pook said he realised that survival was going to be a life and death struggle. He had been flung into the sea as the trawler toppled over.

“I was going round in circles and have been swimming about a mile. Then I reached a fairly big rock and, almost exhausted, pulled myself up. It was bitterly cold. I lay down but had to try and keep warm so I waved my arms and stamped my feet.”
While sitting there marooned, one of the ship’s lifebelts was washed on the rocks.”

“Then dawn broke and I saw a boat rescue the crew who had managed to reach the rock that SAN SEBASTIAN had struck. I tried to attract their attention but they were half a mile away and didn’t notice me.
When I had been on the rock 10 hours I saw a boat in the distance. I signaled it and they took me off.”

download the PDF BOT report into the stranding.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. San Sebastian FD126

S.T. San Sebastian FD126
Picture courtesy of John Clarkson

S.T. San Sebastian FD126

S.T. San Sebastian FD126
Courtesy of Elizabeth Shaw

Changelog
27/04/14: Information updated.
16/02/2015: Added survivor account.
16/01/2017: Added BOT report.
10/09/2024: Information updated

S.T. William Humphries LO533

Additional information courtesy of Gary Hicks Plymouth Merchant Ships, Christine Simm and David Buckley

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4205
Official Number: 144592
Yard Number: 447
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 106
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Bellis & Morcom Ltd, Birmingham

History

10.1918: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.447) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as WILLIAM HUMPHRIES (Ad.No.4205).
24.12.1918: Completed.
11.5.1920: Sold by auction at London (Baltic Exchange) to James Ritchie, Milford Haven.
8.6.1920: Registered at London (Part I) as WILLIAM HUMPHRIES O.N.1343592.
1921: Sold to Ivey Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven. David G. Jones designated manager.
17.10.1921: Registered at London (Part IV) (LO533).
1923: Sold to James Ritchie, Milford Haven. James Ritchie designated managing owner.
7.4.1926: Sold to James Ritchie & William T. Davies, Hakin, Milford Haven. James Ritchie & William T. Davies designated managing owners.
21.8.1926: In collision with steam trawler CHARLES BOYES (LO334) whilst proceeding to lock out at Milford; sustained damage to stem.
12.10.1931: Outwards from Milford in dense fog, at about 6.00am. in collision with French crabber THEMSIS, 31grt; of Camaret anchored in the Haven about 400yds from the dock entrance; crabber foundered, all six crew picked up and returned to Milford.
15.1.1938: Returning from West Coast of Ireland grounds (Sk. James T. H. McDonald), in WNW gale and heavy seas, at about 12.45 a.m. in position 180 miles WSW from St. Ann’s Head lost propeller. Shipped very heavy seas and sent out distress, trawler WILLIAM DOWNES (LO530) responded but could not locate. Also in response to distress, at about 9.50 a.m. NEATH CASTLE (SA65) arrived and with difficulty, connected and set course for Milford.
17.1.1938: Delivered Milford Haven.
7.10.1938: Fishing in Dingle Bay (Sk. Albert Saunders) in squally weather with WNW winds and a heavy ground swell. At about 10.00am. responded to a request to stand by Milford trawler AVOLA (M249) disabled with rudder problem. Later asked to connect, two warps passed and tow commenced. Shortly after 10.00pm. informed that rudder was now working, warps recovered and stood by for nearly an hour as AVOLA skipper was satisfied all was well. Returned to grounds and continued to fish. Later awarded £525 salvage and £53.7.8d for damages.
27.5.1939: Reported disabled, picked up by Milford trawler MICHAEL GRIFFITH (LO529) and delivered Milford Haven.
4.8.1939: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Basil Arthur Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager. Fishing from Fleetwood. 11.10.1939: In the early hours in very thick fog, inwards in the river Wyre (Sk. Charles Bridge), struck the loaded steam hopper LYTHAM (292grt/1894), berthed alongside the North Wall; backed off and proceeded to Wyre Dock. The LYTHAM, manned by watchman William Cass, who was unscathed, damaged and making water finally settled alongside the quay only to be struck again by another inbound trawler.
12.10.1929: Surveyed and no leakage found. LYTHAM discharged by crane and refloated.
14.11.1939: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Charles Horace Bridge); thirteen crew all told.
21.11.1939: Fishing 35m NW of Rathlin Island in company with steam trawlers CUIRASS (GY436) and SULBY (FD87). Between 8.30 – 9.30am. stopped by U-boat (U-33); crew abandoned in boat. Sunk by gunfire, five rounds from deck gun, in approx position 55.27N – 08.01W. Lifeboat believed last seen by a lifeboat from SULBY also sunk by U-33. Presumed boat foundered or men died of hyperthermia.
27.11.1939: Posted missing.
29.11.1939: Sk. Charles Bridge body washed up below Compass Hill, Canna. Buried on Canna.
1.12.1939: Body of William Jewell washed ashore at Loch Scavaig, near Portree, Skye and later that of Ernest Lee. Both buried in Cill Chriosd Churchyard, Broadford, Isle of Skye.
8.12.1939: Reported by steam trawler WESTLYN (FD8) fishing off the Western Isles that over two days they had recovered from the trawl two bodies and taken to Castlebay, Barra for identification. Bodies identified as those of James Gordon and William Wright, both buried in Cuier Parish Church Cemetery, Isle of Barra.
9.12.1938. Body of Daniel Sturman washed ashore near Portree, Skye. Buried in Portree Cemetery, Isle of Skye.
27.1.1940: London registry closed “Vessel sunk by enemy action”. The twelfth steam trawler out of Fleetwood to be lost by enemy action since the start of the war and the sixth owned by BDSF&I Co Ltd, Fleetwood.

Crew: All Fleetwood unless noted. Sk. Charles Horace Bridge (38), Westgate; John Nolan (29), Balmoral Terrace, 2nd hand; James Arthur
Kaye (26), Poulton Road, 3rd hand; Ernest Elijah Lee Thurling, served as Ernest Elijah Lee (38), 47 Borrowdale Avenue, Ch. Eng; William Arnold Jewell (48), 45 Hamlet Road, 2nd Eng; deckhands, Arthur Edward Hardingham (33), Addison Road; M. Kuberski (18) (Polish national), Seamen’s Mission; George Buller Spillings (27), Back Poulton Street; Thomas Henry Wilson (24), Ormerod Street, Thornton; Daniel Sturman (36), 4 Ash Street; firemen/trimmers, James Gordon (18) Cambridge Road; William Wright (23), 35 St. Hellier’s Road, Blackpool; cook, William George Thacker (34), Milton Street.

(William Humphries, Landsman (prest), age 21, b. Carnarvon, North Wales – VICTORY (SB783))

Click to enlarge images

HMT William Humphries

HMT William Humphries
Picture from the Internet

Gravestone on Canna

Gravestone on Canna
Picture from the Internet

William Jewell

William Jewell grave,
Cill Chriosd Churchyard, Broadford, Isle of Skye.

Ernest Lee

Ernest Lee
Cill Chriosd Churchyard, Broadford, Isle of Skye

Daniel Sturman

Daniel Sturman
Portree Cenetary

S.T. William Humphries LO533

S.T. William Humphries LO533
Picture courtesy of The David Buckley Collection

Changelog
08/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
04/09/2015: Information updated.
06/04/2020: Information updated.
04/08/2022: Added an image.
06/08/2022: Added an image.
07/08/2022: Updated history.
09/08/2022: Added images.

S.T. William Hannam A54

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4206
Official Number: 143940
Yard Number: 448
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 119
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.6 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Fawcett, Preston & Co Ltd, Liverpool.

History

11.1918: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.448) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as WILLIAM HANNAM (Ad.No.4206).
20.2.1919: Completed.
1919: Registered by The Admiralty in the Registry of British Ships at London.
4.5.1920: Withdrawn from auction at Milford.
6.1920: Sold to ??, ??.
6.7.1920: Registered at London (LO383).
10.9.1920: Sold to Pater Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Pembroke (David G. Jones, Milford, manager).
1939: Sold to Thomas Jenkerson, Milford Haven.
26.7.1939: Sold to Joseph Craig & Others, Aberdeen.
2.10.1939: London registry closed.
4.10.1939: Registered at Aberdeen (A54). Employed on “Coaling runs”.
3.10.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for boom defence duties (1-12pdr) (P.No. Z.129) (Hire rate £86.5.0d/month).
1942: Sold to James Craig, Aberdeen.
1942: Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (David Marr, manager).
23.11.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
27.11.1943: Aberdeen registry closed.
1944: Based Portsmouth (Fraser & White Ltd, Portsmouth, agents).
3.1947: Sold to David Marr, Fleetwood.
1947: Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (David Marr, manager).
1950: Sold to Sigv. Risanger, Haugesund, Norway. Renamed FIRMAN.
1952: Re-engined with a 4 stroke 6-cyl MAN oil engine by Maschinenfbrk. Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, Augsburg. (engine built 1938).
9.4.1957: Foundered off Kiberg.

(William Hannam (aka Hanham), OS (volunteer), age 21, b. Calne, Wiltshire – VICTORY (SB808))

Note The log books of the WILLIAM HANNAM have been checked in TNA. The most interesting bit being that for two months prior to requisitioning, she was employed as a collier bringing bunker coal from the Forth ports to Aberdeen. After WW2 David Marr bought her and she arrived in Fleetwood from Portsmouth on March 31 1947 with Sk. W. McCaplin (20565) in command. We can find no trace of her landing at Fleetwood in the landing lists. She does not appear in the list of trawlers owned by Dinas. We are not sure that the retention of her Aberdeen registry (A54) is correct either, although she is recorded as Aberdeen registered in LR, not necessarily with a PRN.

Changelog
08/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.