Tag Archives: Castle

S.T. Scawby BN187

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3678
Official Number: 146933
Yard Number: 358
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 277
Net Tonnage: 109
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Engine: Fraser & Chalmers, Erith
Built: Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Paisley

History

10.5.1918: Launched by Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Paisley (Yd.No.358) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES DINTON (Ad.No.3678).
27.5.1918: Commissioned.
29.5.1918: Completed (1 – 12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
1922: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Boston (F. Parkes, Wyberton, Boston, manager). Registered at Boston as SCAWBY (BN187).
23.9.1925: Homeward encountered thick fog and struck the Ness of Duncansby. Refloated with the help of local fisherman and returned to Boston. Survey revealed extensive bottom damage; repaired and returned to service.
1926: Transferred to Grimsby (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
1926: Transferred to Fleetwood.
6.1929: Sold to McRae Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (John McR. Knight, manager).
5.1930 Boston registry closed.
28.6.1929: Registered at Milford (M19).
22.7.1929: Registered at Milford as LILY McRAE (M19).
11.1936: Sold to Milford Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven Harry E. Rees, manager).
25.11.1936: Registered at Milford as MILFORD DUKE (M19).
19.9.1938: James C. Ward appointed manager.
29.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No.Z.125) (Hire rate £83.2.0d/month).
23.11.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
3.4.1945: Milford registry closed.
3.1946: Laid up C&M at Inverness.
1948: Sold to Manor Steamship Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Reginald L. Hancock, manager).
9.1948: Restored and reclassed at Milford Haven.
6.9.1948: Registered at Milford as MANOR (M301).
31.1.1951: Sailed Milford for South-West Ireland grounds (Sk. R. Robson).
4.2.1951: Dodging about 40 miles west of Bull Rock in increasingly severe weather; bunkers shifted, shipped heavy seas and part wheelhouse carried away, wireless and compass inoperative. Made contact with GROSMONT CASTLE (SA77) which came alongside and then escorted to Berehaven, Co Cork, dodging the weather all the way.
11.2.1951: Sailed Berehaven for Milford after effecting temporary repairs.
11.1951: Sold to Ashley Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (John Wood, manager).
8.11.1951: Milford registry closed.
11.1951: Registered at Aberdeen (A691).
6.1959: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Malcolm Brechin, Granton for breaking up.
23.7.1959: Arrived Granton from Aberdeen under own power.
(James Dinton (aka Denton), OS, age 24, b. London – VICTORY (SB74))

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Manor A691

S.T. Manor A691
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
12/02/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Santander FD138

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger
Technical

Official Number 148225
Yard Number 53
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 271
Net Tonnage: 122
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Engine 480ihp T.3-cyl by National Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Goderich, Ontario
Built by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

History

1.1917: Ordered.
1918: Launched by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada (Yd.No.53) (Canadian “Castle” – “T.R.” class) for The Admiralty (paid for and built under direction of RCN) as TR.7.
27.5.1918: Completed and commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy (1-12pdr).
31.1.1919: Paid off and laid up.
1920: Accepted offer of Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd, Inverness (Captain Donald John Munro CMG RN 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.
22.9.1926: Registered at Fleetwood (Part I & IV) as SANTANDER O.N.148225 (FD138). Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated manager.
1926: Laid up at Ostend.
1927: Sold to Brazilian Government (Ministry of Marine), Rio de Janeiro.
10.4.1928: Fleetwood registry closed “Sold to foreigners”. Registered at Rio de Janeiro.
5.1928: Coaled (220 tons) and sailed Ostend for Rio de Janeiro (Sk. George Carroll).
6.1928: Arrived Rio de Janeiro after a voyage non-stop of 5,300 miles in 27 days 15 hrs, averaging 190 miles a day. Approx 15 tons of coal left in bunkers. 1934: Not in LR under this name.

Note: Fleetwood men in crew – Sk. George Carroll (23) 33 Oak Street; Bernard Nolan, Bosun; Leon Malley, Ch Eng; Dan Ward, 2nd Eng.

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
27/04/2014: Information updated.
30/03/2019: Updated information.

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. Richard Crofts LO365

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3720
Official Number: 143931
Yard Number: 396
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 127
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

13.6.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.396) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as RICHARD CROFTS (Ad.No.3720).
29.11.1918: Commissioned.
3.12.1918: Completed (1-12pdr).
1919: Registered by The Admiralty in the Registry of British Ships at London. Official No.143931.
4.5.1920: Withdrawn from auction at Milford.
5.1920: Sold to Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Charles Curzon, manager).
2.6.1920: Registered at London (LO365).
1930: Transferred to Fleetwood when Edward D. W. Lawford moved his vessels to the port.
05.02.1932: While in Wyre Dock Joseph Ince fell from a ladder and died from his injuries.
8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and appointed for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £87.0.0d/month).
5.1940: Returned to owner.
15.7.1941: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.530).
6.8.1945: Returned to owner after survey and restoration at Glasgow.
5.1946: Sold to Lewis, Wilcox & Co Ltd, Milford Haven.
1.1947: Escorted Swansea steam trawler DONESSE (SA21) to Castletownbere, Co. Cork.
2.1947: On a trip to the Porcupine Bank ground SW of Ireland (Sk. Bobby Kettle).
10.2.1947: In the early morning in heavy seas and high wind, observed steam trawler CAPSTONE (FD78) (Sk. James Harper) blowing and in distress. Closed and found her waterlogged having shipped heavy seas. Prepared to pick up survivors if necessary but decided with Sk. Harper to make for Castetownbere, Co. Cork just over 100 miles away.
11.2.1947: Arrived Castletownbere safely with CAPSTONE.
6.1952: Sold to Milford Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (James C. Ward, manager).
6.1952: London registry closed.
10.6.1952: Registered at Milford (M229).
14.2.1953: Sailed Milford for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Harry Rich).
20.2.1953: In thick fog and rough seas grounded on Roaring Jake reef near Cornaig Beg on east coast of Coll, Inner Hebrides. Mayday, life-float launched but vessel slipped off reef and foundered; assisted by Coll lifesaving team, four crew * reached shore but eight men including the skipper were lost +. Wreck lies in 17m.
30.5.1953: Milford registry closed.

(* Saved – Reginald J. Davies, Neyland 2nd Eng; firemen, Joe Vliestra, Hakin & Haydn M. Jones, Pembroke Dock and deckhand Thomas Donovan, Milford)

(+ Lost – Sk. Harry Rich, Hakin; Walter C. Hollowell, Johnston, Mate; John C. Owen. Milford, Bosun; George R. Coe, Milford, 3rd hand; Charles D. Toombs, Hakin, Ch Eng; deckhands, Edgar J. Taylor & John J. Turrell, both Milford and Norman S. Rees, Milford)

(Richard Crofts, Private, Marine, age 26, b. Coventry, Warwickshire – VICTORY (ML84))

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Richard Crofts LO365

S.T. Richard Crofts LO365
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
30/12/2015: Information updated.
14/01/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.