Tag Archives: Lost

S.T. Star of Freedom FD200

Technical

Official Number: 129356.
Yard Number: 487
Completed: 1911
Gross Tonnage: 258
Net Tonnage: 97
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.9 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

18.2.1911: Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.487) for The Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen as STAR OF FREEDOM.
2.1911: Completed (Thomas Walker, manager).
1.3.1911: Registered at Aberdeen (A361).
Pre 1913: Andrew Walker, manager.
16.7.1913: Sold to The Rossall Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (John D. Gibson, manager).
11.8.1913: Aberdeen registry closed.
12.8.1913: Registered at Fleetwood (FD200).
12.1914: Requisitioned for war service (Ad.No.955). At Devonport fitted with 1-12pdr & W/T (Call sign YFP) and mine-sweep. Fitted as Leader.
26.12.1914: Commissioned.
1.1.1915: Arrived Devonport.
10.2.1915: Allocated Unit No.61 – No.3 Patrol based Penzance (Sub Lieut. C. Walter).
30.3.1915: Re-appointed Unit No.61 – Section A based Penzance (Lieut. J.J. Gillespie RNR).
24.7.1915: Refit at Penzance completed, fitted with ‘silent chamber’.
1.1916: Re-appointed Unit No.61-Section A based Penzance (Lieut. J. H. Bartlett RNR.
10.1916: Re-appointed Unit No.61 – Section A 1st Division based Penzance (Lieut. T. Kippins RNR).
19.4.1917: Mined off Trevose Head, Cornwall, while ‘sweeping (Lieut. T. Kippins RNR). Foundered with loss of ten of her crew*.
19.5.1917: Fleetwood registry closed “Lost on Admiralty service”.

Lost* Ty/Warrant Telegraphist Jack Wade; Joseph Dykins & Reginald N. James, Enginemen; George Lace, Ldg Seaman; Frederick Dutton, George Edwards, John Ivey & Edward Jewell, deckhands; Joseph Mills & Joseph C. Remphrey, trimmers.
Click to enlarge images

S.T. Star of Freedom FD200

S.T. Star of Freedom FD200
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Star of Freedom A361

S.T. Star of Freedom A361
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. Star of Freedom A361

S.T. Star of Freedom A361
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
14/05/2009: Page published. 4 revisions since then.
27/10/2014: Picture added.
12/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
06/09/2019: Updated information and added an image.
05/08/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Botanic H463

Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson and David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 160804
Yard Number: 1023
Completed: 1928
Gross Tonnage: 348.03
Net Tonnage: 138.40
Length: 140.3 ft
Breadth: 24.0 ft
Depth: 13.3 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 600ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

20.6.1928: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1023) for City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as BOTANIC.
14.9.1928: Registered at Hull (H463).
14.9.1928: John Arthur Laverack designated manager.
18.9.1928: Completed.
29.3.1934: Sailed Hull for White Sea, last trip before sale (Sk. S. Greaves).
23.4.1934: At Hull landed 1,206 kits grossed £867.
27.9.1928: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
1.1.1932: Fred Crawforth designated manager.
26.4.1934: Mortgage (A) discharged.
26.4.1934: The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull bought by J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood along with the two vessels.
26.4.1934: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood. Geoffrey Edwards Marr designated manager.
26.4.1934: Sailed Hull for White Sea, first trip under new owners (Sk. S. Greaves).
22.5.1934: At Hull landed 1,633 kits grossed £1,331.
19.7.1934: Sold to The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Leslie J. Marr, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager (Fred Crawforth manager and fish salesman at Hull).
6.1.1938: Landed at Fleetwood, 716 boxes grossed £703.
25.7.1939: Insured value £10,500.
29.8.1939: Sold to The Admiralty (ref. M.F. 21516/39 dated September 1929). Fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.707).
5.10.1939: Sk. Ernest Wilfred Critten RNR appointed CO.
27.10.1939: Hull registry closed “Sold to The Admiralty”.
5.1940: Sk. Edgar Smith RNR appointed CO.
20-26.5.1940: Evacuation from Boulogne, Calais & Dunkirk.
25.5.1940: Sailed Dover for Calais in company with the trawlers ARLEY (P.No.FY.620) (FD44), BROCK (P.No.FY.621) (FD47), CALVI (GY269), FYLDEA (P.No.FY.666) (FD72), MARETTA (P.No.FY.665) (FD45), POLLY JOHNSON (H322) and drifters PLAYMATES (P.No.FY.738) (YH141) and WILLING BOYS (P.No.FY.947) (LT737) with several river launches in tow.
26.5.1940: At 0140 arrived off the French coast. No evacuation order was given, but Belgian river launch SEMOIS transferred ten British soldiers from north wall of harbour to BOTANIC. Sailed for Dover but damaged by air attack en route.
26.5.1940: At 1857 ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
4.6.1940: ‘Operation Dynamo’ terminated.
4.8.1940: Sk. Andrew Robertson Lees RNR appointed CO. Repaired and allocated M/S Group 50 based Grimsby.
14.10.1940: Ty Lieut. James Guy Badcock RCNVR appointed CO.
5.5.1941: Ty Lieut. James Calderwood Paterson RNVR appointed CO.
1942: Sk. Philip Kay DSC RNR appointed CO.
18.2.1942: Attacked by enemy aircraft off 62D Buoy, 16 miles NE of Spurn Point. James M Yetman, seaman, killed. Vessel badly damaged, FYLDEA (P.No.FY.666) (FD72) connected and commenced tow to Grimsby but en route started to settle and foundered.

Click to enlarge image

HMT Botanic

HMT Botanic
Picture courtesy of The Greenday Collection

Changelog

11/05/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
10/06/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
01/09/2018: Updated information.
17/09/2019: Updated information.

S.T. Ribble FD198

Technical

Official Number: 109677
Yard Number: 643
Completed: 1900
Gross Tonnage: 182
Net Tonnage: 71
Length: 115.5 ft
Breadth: 21.1 ft
Depth: 11.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

7.11.1900: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.643) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood as RIBBLE.
30.11.1900: Registered at Fleetwood (FD198).
4.12.1900: Completed. Richard C. Ward & John N. Ward appointed joint managers.
23.1.1901: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to The Lancaster Banking Co Ltd, Lancaster at 43/4% interest (A).
14.9.1901: Sailed for the fishing grounds. Mate, Daniel Knight jumped overboard in an attempt to swim ashore. Despite all efforts to rescue him, he drowned. “He had some drink, which is supposed to be the cause of his unreasonableness”.
12.1901: In heavy weather (Sk.James Gamble) deckhand J. Owen was washed overboard and lost. The vessel was severely damaged by the storm.
10.1905: At Bantry, Co. Cork, Sk. Richard Collinson was fined £30 with net forfeited for illegal trawling on 5.9.1905 within the limits of Bantry Bay.
17.5.1906: Sailed Fleetwood for grounds off the west coast of Ireland (Sk. Richard Collinson); nine crew total and two pleasurers.
26.5.1906: At 5.40pm. with a full catch left the fishing grounds and set an easterly course for Fastnet. At 9.40pm skipper left the bridge with the third hand on watch and instructions to call him when the log showed 55 miles run. No order was given regarding lights. At 11.40pm. ran into a bank of fog hanging over the land, but speed was not reduced. As the third hand was about to leave to call the skipper he noticed something looming ahead. The engine was stopped and reversed at full speed but the vessel struck the ground and with way still on her, went over a ledge into water surrounded by rocks and came to rest under the fog station construction site at Clohane Island near Mizen Head, Co. Cork. The vessel was making no water and apart from getting the boat ready nothing further was done until daylight.
27.5.1906: At 3.30am. without having taken any soundings over the ledge, the skipper backed her at full speed to try and clear the ledge. At each attempt she came fast amidships; no attempt was made to lighten her and by 6.00am she had started to make a little water. Shortly after the crew took to the boat, landing in Dunlough Bay and walking to Crookhaven were they arrived in the evening. Telegrams were sent and the paddle tug FLYING SPORTSMAN (187grt/1882) engaged.
29.5.1906: Tug arrived from Queenstown but vessel was under water from aft to the bridge.
15.6.1906: Fleetwood registry closed “Stranded. Total wreck”.
27.6.1906: At the formal investigation held at Liverpool (No.S.228), the Court found that the loss was due to the careless navigation of her master, Richard Collinson and of her third hand, John Stables. The certificate of skipper was suspended for three months and the third hand was strongly censured.

Changelog
01/05/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
25/09/2015: Information updated.
21/08/2024: Added information.

S.T. Red Gauntlet (1) LO33

Technical

Oficial Number: 161463.
Yard Number: 928
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 388
Net Tonnage: 128
Length: 133.7 ft
Breadth: 25.0 ft
Depth: 13.6 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesborough
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough

History

11.6.1930: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees (Yd.No.928) for Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, Fleetwood as RED GAUNTLET.
7.1930: Completed.
17.7.1930: Registered at London (LO33). Edward D. W. Lawford designated manager.
8.1930: Fitted with radio telephone.
7.3.1932: Inbound Wyre Dock struck dock wall and sustained damage to stem and shell plates.
29.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, AA armament)(P.No.FY.900)(Hire rate £167.11.10d/month).
23.3.1940: Ty/Sk. Edward Hutchinson RNR appointed CO.
3.2.1941: Lt Cdr. Ralph Maxwell Sandbach RN appointed CO.
13.10.1941: Lieut. Henry Elphinstone Jackson RN appointed CO.
22.6.1942: Ty/Lieut. Robert Duncombe Thorburn RNR appointed CO.
3.8.1942: Lieut. Montague Harris RN appointed CO.
23.1.1943: Ty/Lieut. James Noel Childs appointed CO.
26.1.1943: A/Capt Edward Douglas Wyndham Lawford RN awarded DSO for service in HMS POZARICA (P.No.4.261) A/A ship on Russian convoys.
5.8.1943: Off Felixstowe (Ty/Lieut. James Noel Childs RNVR) in company with HM Trawler HORNBEAM (P.No.T53) (Ty/Lieut. Walter James Parker RNR) Attacked by E-boats, hit by torpedo from E-boat (S-86) with consequent explosion and foundered; crew lost.
6.8.1943: One body picked up by RAF rescue launch.

(MPK – Ty/Lieut. J. N. Childs RNVR – CO; Walter Govis, 2nd Hand; Thomas William Davies, Thomas Richard Godfrey, Edward Horace Judd, Enginemen; John A. H. Heather, Telegraphist; Eric William Eames, Ldg Cook; Patrick Coleman, John Craig, Joseph Frankish, James Somerville Lees, Angus Maclean, Roderick McKinnon, Arthur Phillips, seamen; Alexander Gillies Bunyan, Arthur Livingston Lang, John Legg, Robert McLean, stokers; James Porteous, steward; Robert J. L. Roberts, Ord. Signalman.

Killed – Donald H. W. Hunnisett, (Ldg Sea)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33
Picture courtesy of The Philip Dell Collection

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33

S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

Changelog
30/04/2009: Page published. 8 Updates since then.
05/07/2020: Updated information and added an image.

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

Technical

Official Number 185862
Yard Number: 871
Completed: 1953
Gross Tonnage: 595
Net Tonnage: 217
Length: 170.1 ft
Breadth: 29.2 ft
Depth: 14.5 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 925ihp T.3-cyl by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Boiler: Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull (No.1841)
Fitted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F
Speed: 13 knots

History

4.12.1952: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.871) for Heward Trawlers Ltd, London & Fleetwood (Robert S. Hewett, manager) as ELLA HEWETT.
3.1953: Registered at London (LO47).
19.3.1953: Completed.
8.4.1953: First landing at Fleetwood.
2.11.1962: Sailed Fleetwood at 0145 for Icelandic fishing grounds via Heysham to bunker (Sk. William Storm Gregson); nineteen crew. At Heysham, cook, Russell Harvey fell down an open grating. At 0530 sailed Heysham for fishing grounds. At about 1530 skipper decided to land the cook in Church Bay, Rathlin Island and left the 2nd Hand (Mate) James Rixom in command. With good visibility and calm sea entered the Bay and sometime after 1830, struck wreck of HMS DRAKE and was held fast port side aft. No serious attempt was made to get the vessel off. At 2210 serious ingress of water noted, Ch.Eng, Harold Huntingford, made best possible use of pumps. At 2230 with water rising and oil in bilge, Ch. Eng. drew fires.
3.11.1962: At 0053 with pumping no longer possible a May Day message was transmitted. Portrush lifeboat, Liverpool steamer MARKLAND (6032grt/1953) and Glasgow motor vessel LAIRDS LOCH (1736grt/1944) proceeding. By 1100 starboard list had increased and fourteen crew taken off by Portrush lifeboat and landed at Ballycastle. At 2115 with remaining five crew members taken on board the lifeboat, vessel heeled on her beam ends and sank. Survivors landed at Portrush. 11.1962: Wreck attended by salvage vessel DISPENSER (775grt/1943) on charter to Liverpool & Glasgow Salvage Association. After survey, agreement reached with Underwriters that it was uneconomical to raise the wreck and declared a Total loss.
14/15.5.1963: At BoT Inquiry (No.S.461) at Fleetwood, the Court found that the stranding and subsequent total loss were caused by the wrongful act or default of Skipper Gregson and the 2nd Hand (Mate) James Rixom. Sk. Gregson’s ticket was suspended for three years and the skippers ticket held by James Rixom was cancelled.
8.1964: Wreck sold by Underwriters to Metal Recoveries (Newhaven) Ltd, Newhaven.
28.9.1964: Metrec Salvage Ltd, Maidstone formed by Metal Recoveries (Newhaven) Ltd & Shipbreaking (Queenborough) Ltd, Queenborough.
8.1966: Metrec Salvage Ltd entered into an agreement with Commissioners of Irish Lights, owners of the wreck of HMS DRAKE, to clear the seabed of the wreck. 1974: MOD took over ownership of the wreck of HMS DRAKE putting an end to salvage attempts. HMS LAYMOOR attended and munitions removed from HMS DRAKE by divers.
18-29.9.1978: Wreck dispersed to prevent pollution from bunker oil. Remains of wreck lie in 15m in position 55°17.17N/06°12 .43W.
BOT Inquiry Report

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Picture courtesy of The Peter Hearn Collection

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47

S.T. Ella Hewett LO47
Aground in Church Bay. Picture courtesy The Osta Collection.

Changelog
23/03/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
24/08/2015: Picture added.
02/11/2015: Added BOT inquiry report.
16/01/2017: Removed disputed image.
08/06/2020: Updated information.