Additional information : Dictionary of Shipwrecks off the Isle of Man ©Adrian Corkhill 2001 and Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 105911
Yard Number: 504
Completed: 1895
Gross Tonnage: 151
Net Tonnage: 59
Length: 106 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Engine: 50rhp T.3-cyl by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. Sunderland.
Built: Edward Bros, North Shields (iron built as a beam trawler)

History

8.6.1895: Launched by Edwards Bros, North Shields (Yd.No.504) for John E. A. Kelsall (64/64), Fleetwood as CEVIC.
11.7.1895: Registered at Fleetwood (FD133). John E. A. Kelsall designated managing owner.
7.1895: Completed.
1897: Sold to Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd (64/64), Manchester. John A. E. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood designated managers.
1899: Transferred to Hull.
30.3.1899: Registered at Hull (H76).
12.5.1899: Fleetwood registry closed.
8.9.1911: Registered office transferred to Hull. George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London designated managers.
21.5.1913: Sold to George Clarkson, Fleetwood.
23.5.1913: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to James Herbert Marr, Fleetwood (A). George Clarkson designated managing owner.
7.1913: Sold to The Devon Steam Trawling Co (64/64), Fleetwood. George Clarkson, designated manager.
7.7.1913: Hull registry closed.
8.7.1913: Registered at Fleetwood (FD186).
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 58.53 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
22.6.1914: As a result of the dispute existing between the Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Ltd and the Humber Amalgamated Steam Trawlers Engineers’ and Firemen’s Union (Fleetwood Branch) concerning the dismissal of the ASHLYN Ch.Eng, one of 53 trawlers ‘held up’ at the port.
24.6.1914: Following a meeting between Association and Union representatives, Ch Eng re-instated, all action withdrawn.
7.12.1915: At Bangor Magistrates Court, Carnarvonshire, Sk. William Clarkson was charged with illegally trawling within the three mile limit on 11th November 1915. Clarkson pleaded guilty but in mitigation stated that he had been on duty for the previous 24 hours and was turned in at the time of the offence, which was committed against his express instructions. Fined £15.
1916: James A. Robertson designated manager.
3.1917: At Fleetwood. Defensively armed, fitted with Hotchkiss 6pdr gun (No.1857); complement increased by two gunners.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
9.1918: Mortgage (A) discharged.
9.9.1918: Sold to Ernest Taylor & Noah Ashworth (64/64 joint owners), Fleetwood. Joseph A. Taylor designated manager.
1919: Released.
18.7.1924: Sold to The Cevic Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood. Charles H. Friswell designated manager.
28.12.1924: At Campbeltown Sheriff Court, Sk. Richard Wright, was charged that on 9th June 1924 had been guilty of illegal trawling in the closed area of the Firth of Clyde; that the identification letters had been covered or concealed and he had refused or neglected to heave to when ordered by Capt Simpson, of the Fishery cruiser VIGILANT (134grt/1886). Wright pleaded not guilty. In evidence it was stated that the trawler was observed fishing in the Firth of Clyde and on bearings taken, four miles inside the restricted zone. On the cruiser’s approach the trawler recovered her net and steamed away. The cruiser followed in pursuit signalling by Morse code and with whistle to stop instantly. The international code flags signalling to stop were run up and a blank shot was fired. No attention was paid to these signals. On overhauling the trawler, the message was repeated by megaphone and by voice. The cruiser sailed around the trawler taking photographs, telling the skipper that the trawler could now be identified. Capt. Simpson threatened to fire a live round, although in court he admitted that he carried no live ammunition. After an hour and a half chase, in increasing haze, the cruiser gave up. It was considered that in trying to board the moving trawler there was a danger of incurring injury or loss of life. Afterwards Captain Simpson was sent to Fleetwood and after 10 days stay he identified the trawler as the CEVIC, however their were other Edwards built trawlers at the port that also closely resembled the photographs. For the defence it was stated that the CEVIC was indeed at sea on the day in question and they were lying in Cardigan Bay. The day was impressed on their minds as it was Whit Monday and they were disappointed in not getting ashore for the holiday. It was also pointed out that Edwards built vessels were at other ports and whatever ship it was probably showed the letters ‘FD’ to deceive the cruiser. In summing up, the Sheriff held that the Crown failed to bring home guilt to the accused and pronounced a verdict of not proven.
1925: Richard Neave designated manager.
24.6.1927: In the morning, sailed Fleetwood for Irish Sea fishing grounds (Sk. Richard Collinson); eleven crew all told. Four hours later commenced fishing.
25.6.1927: At about 8.00 pm weather became very ‘boisterous’ and put into Ramsey Bay for shelter. Skipper Dick Collinson and three crew ashore (J. Bywater, mate, E. Salthouse, bosun and J. Hobbs, Ch Eng). Later three crew members left the trawler in the punt to bring back those ashore, but the wind freshened and they had to return.
26.6.1927: Punt laying astern started to ship water, 2nd Engineer, John Dick, boarded to bail out, but painter parted and boat drifted away. With no officers onboard the crew decided to get underway to recover boat, which unknown to them had drifted ashore, but once underway in increasingly strong NE winds and no sign of the punt, abandoned search and came to anchor off Ballure, Ramsey South Beach. Anchor failed to hold, and trawler was driven on to a sand bank, South of Ramsey, pounding heavily. Fearing she would break her back a distress flare was ignited. In response the Ramsey lifeboat MATTHEW SIMPSON was launched into rough seas to their assistance and with great difficulty took off the crew. Vessel eventually driven ashore under cliffs and wedged on the Ballure rocks, known as “Half-Tide Rock”, with extensive damage to bottom and starboard side shell plating.
28.6.1927: Six members of the crew returned to Fleetwood in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co’s turbine steamer VIKING (1957grt/1905).
30.6.1927: Insurance assessor arrived in Douglas in the VIKING. Declared a total loss.
3.8.1927: Fleetwood registry closed “ Ship totally lost on 26th June 1927. Advice received from owner.” Some remains of vessel still visible.

(Crew – Sk. Richard Collinson; J. Bywater, Mate; E. Salthouse, Bosun; J. Hobbs, Ch.Eng; J. Dicks, 2nd Eng; J. Kitchen & T. Harrison, deckhands; T. Whiteside & W. Holden, apprentices; J. Simms, fireman; P. Corrigan, cook)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Cevic H76
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. Cevic FD186
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Cevic FD186
Picture courtesy of The Maureen Blair Collection

S.T. Cevic FD186
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
25/03/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermark.
18/03/2018: Image added.
12/11/2019: information updated.
29/02/2020: Image added.
08/10/2020: Added an image.
14/10/2023: Updated history.