Tag Archives: Lost

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

Technical

Official Number: 162067
Yard Number: 963
Completed: 1934
Gross Tonnage: 433
Net Tonnage: 162
Length: 157.3 ft
Breadth: 26.4
Depth: 12.3
Engine: 137ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

18.12.1933: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.963) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as MAVIS ROSE.
15.1.1934: Registered at Fleetwood (FD14).
1.1934: Completed (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
9.1935: As a result of the Abyssinian crisis and failure of British diplomacy, the Government authorised The Admiralty to procure twenty modern trawlers for conversion to minor war vessels.
11.1935: Following successful trials sold to The Admiralty. Fitted out as a “Gem” class anti-submarine trawler.
21.11.1935: Fleetwood registry closed. Renamed HMTrawler AGATE (P.No.T.87).
6.8.1941: In command of Py/Ty/Lieut. Leonard H. Cline RNR, part of east coast convoy FS 59 – Methil, Tyne & Sunderland for Thames. In poor visibility and NNW to NW gale, lost after running on Haisborough Sands off Cromer in position 52°54.30N/01°43.50E, along with eight cargo vessels* that followed the Commodore (Lt Cdr R J Stephens RNR -KENTAR) on an incorrect course and were not informed to alter course. AGATE Captain attempted to warn others but went aground at 3.59am; 18 crew including Captain lost and 8 saved.

* OXSHOTT, GALLOIS, DEERWOOD, ABERHILL, AFON TOWY, BETTY HINDLEY and TAARA.

(MPK – Py/Ty/Lieut. Leonard H. Cline PNR; Ty/Sub Lieut. Peter G. Beard RNR; Ty/Sub Lieut. Arthur G. Tree RNVR; Alfred H. Lewis, Engineman; Peter Robertson, AB; Sidney Burrett, James Cargill. Sidney Hood (killed), Charles Scraton, Richard Stephens, Seamen; James Donelly, Norman MacBeath, O/S; Michael Joyce, O/S Cook; Reginald N. McBurney, O/S Steward; Timothy C. Shields Ldg Stoker; Victor W. Pascoe, James W. Wilson, Stokers; Frederick C. Brill, Stoker 2nd class)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14 as HMT Agate

HMT Agate

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.

S.T. Marsona FD21

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3715
Official Number: 143827
Yard Number: 306
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 106
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne

History

14.1.1918: Launched by J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields (Yd.No.306) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES CHRISTOPHER (Ad.No.3715).
27.3.1918: Completed (1 – 12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
28.3.1918: Commissioned.
14.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as JAMES CHRISTOPHER O.N.143827.
30.12.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO248).
1920: Sold to Skomer Steam Shipping Co Ltd, Cardiff (Lewis Bull, manager).
31.3.1920: In collision with NILE (M186) while manoeuvring in dock.
16.11.1923: Sold to Brand & Curzon Ltd, Milford Haven (Edward Brand & Charles Curzon, managers).
2.1929: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood Geoffry Edwards Marr, manager).
22.2.1929: London registry closed.
26.2.1929: Registered at Fleetwood (FD21).
28.5.1929: Renamed MARSONA (FD21).
19.10.1933: Returned to Fleetwood from fishing grounds with badly damaged stem and bow plating reportedly due to striking submerged object.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.714) (Hire rate £82.16.0d/month).
6.1940: Based Invergordon with M/S Group 43 (Ch Sk. A . W. Ellis RNR).
4.8.1940: Off Cromarty tasked to sweep approach channel to Firth. At 0650 off Sutor Buoy, Cromarty Forth, received sweep wire for ‘M’ sweep from GEORGE COUSINS (LO66) (P.No. FY.627) (Ch Sk. E. J. Marshall RNR) and steaming ahead started to deploy magnets. At 0724 1/2 mile SSE of Whistle Buoy detonated a mine underneath and a second in the sweep; blew up. HM Drifter INDUSTRY (PD378) (P.No.FY.938 (Sub Lieut E. A. F. Weller RNR) proceeded to scene but found no survivors; five bodies recovered*, seven crew members MPK**.
14.12.1945: Fleetwood registry closed.

(James (aka John) Christopher, AB, age 24, b. Waterford, Co. Waterford – VICTORY (SB898))

*Killed: Ch Sk. Alfred W. Ellis; Arthur Lewis, A/Ldg Seaman; William J. Dean & Thomas Dell, seamen; Thomas L. Thompson, O/S.
**MPK – Sub Lieut. Ian S. L. Trehearne; William Mair, 2nd Hand; Frederick Malliband, Ch. Engineman; Thomas B. Cordiner, Engineman; John F. Ritchie, seaman; Bernard Sharpin, seaman/steward; Ernest M. Newby, stoker.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Marsona FD21
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
18/09/2014: Added second picture.
31/03/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
13/02/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323 (Seasonal)

Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 148197
Yard Number: 998
Completed: 1927
Gross Tonnage: 103
Net Tonnage: 44
Length 90.3: ft
Breadth: 19 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
Built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine 260ihp T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth

History

7.3.1927: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.999) for Star Drift Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft as Faithful Star.
9.4.1927: Completed (Frederick E. Catchpole, Lowestoft, manager) (valued at £3,900).
19.6.1927: Registered at Lowestoft (LT323).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay, managing agent).
3.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service employed on contraband control (1-3pdr) (Hire rate £49.11.4d/month).
6.1941: Based Weymouth as armed patrol (Ty/Sk. W. G. Hitter RNR). 9.3.1946: Returned to owner.
15.10.1946: At Lowestoft landed 190 crans of herring.
11.1952: Converted to motor by L.B.S. Engineering Co Ltd, Lowestoft, re-engined with 300bhp 4 stroke 3-cyl diesel by W. H. Podd Ltd, Lowestoft.
21.11.1952: Surveyed following conversion to diesel propulsion.
14.12.1957: At night in a strong onshore wind and snow showers got into difficulties whilst seeking shelter and stranded about 1/4 mile S of Orford Ness Lighthouse (Sk. George Challis). Two crew got ashore and raised alarm, other crew members made it to shore but Sk. Challis was rescued by LSA breeches buoy. Salvage arranged with Yarmouth tug RICHARD LEE BARBER (122grt/1940) but delayed due to picking up a barge which was adrift and delivering Harwich. Pushed further up the beach and damaged by heavy seas. Declared a Total loss.
15.5. 1958: Lowestoft registry closed.

(Crew – Sk. George Challis; Jack Bessey, Mate; Robert Norman, 3rd Hand; Charles O’Neill, Ch Eng; Eric Burwood, 2nd Eng; Stanley Humphrey & Kenneth Womack, deckhands; Frank Webb, cook.)

Click to enlarge images

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Greenday Collection

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

M.T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
22/09/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
28/10/2017: Added an image.
15/08/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Irvana FD181

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3510
Official Number: 145114
Yard Number: 671
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

16.11.1916: Laid down.
9.3.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.671) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as ARTHUT LESSIMORE (Ad.No.3510).
25.5.1917: Completed as a minesweeper (1 – 12pdr and W/T).
1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as ARTHURE LESSIMORE (603/1920) O.N.145114. Laid up at Brightlingsea.
10.2.1924: Sold to Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull (Walter Scott, manager) after inspection at Brightlingsea by Capt. William John Lown & Lawrence Spring (directors). Purchased at asking price £5500 (Others inspected and purchased at £5500 each – ANDREW SACK, JAMES PEAKE, JOHN DORMOND & SAMUEL DRAKE).
13.2.1924: Arrived Hull from Brightlingsea.
2.1924: London registry closed.
21.2.1924: Registered at Hull (H15).
6.3.1924: Registered at Hull as AVANTURINE (H15). Estimated total cost including fit out and classification £8,900.
15.3.1924: Sailed Hull on first trip.
28.3.1924: Landed 442 kits grossed £547.
24.3.1925: William J. Lown designated manager.
22.6.1928: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £5,750.
25.6.1928: Arrived Fleetwood.
26.6.1928: Hull registry closed.
28.6.1928: Registered at Fleetwood (FD181). Joseph Arthur Marr designated manager.
1.4.1929: Joseph A. Marr retired from Board to run Dinas Company.
1.4.1929: Geoffrey Edward Marr designated manager.
24.5.1929: Registered at Fleetwood as IRVANA (FD181).
1930: Outward for fishing grounds in dense fog, stranded on Knott Spit. Refloated and proceeded to sea.
2.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No.FY.663) (Hire rate £80.10.0d/month).
16.1.1942: Based Gt. Yarmouth (Sk. J.L. Borrett RNR). Sunk by German air attack off Great Yarmouth 270°, 2 cables off Corton Sand Buoy in position 52°31N/01°46E. No casualties. (German aircraft, a JU88, engaged by ship and badly damaged by gunfire, ditched and four crew later picked up).
10.12.1945: Fleetwood registry closed.

(Arthur Lessimore, Quartermaster (prest), age 34, b. Aldborough, Suffolk – VICTORY (SB533))

The following quote is from “Battle of the East Coast” by J P Foynes

Early in 1942 the Luftwaffe bombers made many ferocious attacks, then virtually abandoned East Coast shipping targets for good. On 16 January 1942 the Yarmouth M/S trawler IRVANA was bombed and sunk close to base, followed on the 30 th by the Grimsby trawler LOCH ALSH, near 59 Buoy.

British warships and merchantmen had claimed many Luftwaffe bombers shot down since the middle of 1941, but only the finding of aircraft wreckage, corpses or survivors confirms these. On these grounds we can accept the following:

A Do 17 shot down by Grimsby trawlers near the Humber Light Vessel.
A minelayer by the paddle ship Balmoral in the Thames Estuary, both on 6th July.
An He 111 by the Ipswich patrol trawler NORLAND at 54B Buoy on 4 August.
A bomber by the Grimsby M/S trawler WELLSBACH near Withernsea on 9 August (a PAC was used, and Feldwebel Markert, the pilot, was picked up by the trawler GREY MIST).
A Ju 88 by the Lowestoft trawler EUCLASE at No 5 Buoy, on 15 September, with all four crew captured by the trawler ALFREDIAN.
A Do 217, off Yarmouth on 12 November, by accidentally striking the topmast of the trawler FRANCOLIN while sinking her.
The Ju 88 which sank IRVANA in Yarmouth Roads on 30 January 1942, from that ship’s fire, all four airmen being captured.
Another Ju 88, by the Lowestoft trawler FYLDEA near 54G Buoy, during a snowstorm that same day one body was found and buried at sea.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Irvana FD181
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
18/04/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
27/07/2019: Updated information.

S.T. Chorley FD26

Additional information courtesy of Andrew Fleming
Technical

Official Number: 136891
Yard Number: 567
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 284
Net Tonnage: 112
Length: 128.8 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesborough
Engine: 85nhp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

12.5.1914: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.567) for The Staretta Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood as CERESIA.
6.1914: Completed (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
23.6.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD26).
23.11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.194).
25.11.1914: Arrived Devonport for fitting out (VIVID II) Fitted as Leader.
21.12.1914: At Queenstown (COLLEEN).
28.1. – 13.2.1915: With minesweeping trawlers ROSE II (Ad.No.592) (GY312) and WALTHAM (Ad.No.689) (GY303) detached to Morecambe Bay.
12.3.1915: At Belfast & Larne (VALIANT II). 1.6.15: At Belfast & Larne (HERMIONE).
1.1.1916: At Belfast & Larne (THETIS).
5.1.1918: At Larne (VIGOROUS).
6.9.1918: Sold to The Palatine Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
27.9.1921: Registered at Fleetwood as CHORLEY (FD26).
10.1928: Fitted with W/T.
17.5.1930: On grounds off St. Kilda, abandoned fishing due to weather. Passing island observed signals, entered Village Bay and islanders rowed out to ask to relay a message for assistance as a 22-year-old woman, Mary Gillies, was seriously ill. Trawler asked by Scottish Board of Health, Edinburgh to go to Leverburgh, Harris to pick up Dr Alexander Shearer and George Henderson from the Board of Health; owners approved. +
17.5.1930: Just before midnight arrived off St. Kilda but conditions in Village Bay very rough.
18.5.1930: At about 10.00 am. doctor and health inspector transferred to shore. Storm bound.
19.5.1930: Mary Gillies, suffering from a form of TB, assessed as too ill to be moved. Doctor and health official embarked and returned to Leverburgh.
22.5.1930: Returned to Fleetwood.
21.7.1930: Mary Gillies died at 5.55am. attended by Williamina Barclay the resident nurse; ten weeks after being seen by Dr. Shearer.
20.3.1931: Arrived Oban making water in forepeak.
21.12.1932: Stood by and attempted to refloat steam trawler VELIA (FD49) stranded two miles S of Point of Ayre, IoM.
1936: Sold to Ora Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Sydney Leech, manager).
25.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom gate vessel (P.No. Z.153) (Hire rate £75.14.8d/month). Based Plymouth (Ty/Boom Sk. Albert James Beckett RNR).
24.4.1942: Loaded boom material at RN Boom Depot, Turnchapel for transfer to Dartmouth and to relieve HM Trawler WESTLYN (P.No.Z154) (FD4) as Gate Vessel.
25.4.1942: At 0615 sailed for Dartmouth astern of minesweepers, Senior Officer (Lieut. W. F. Turner RNVR) in HM Trawler BILSDEAN (P.No.FY.503) (GN15) (not attached to them by Sailing Order). At 0830 in fresh weather started to take in water in fore messdeck through skylights, leaking deck seams and rivets, shell plating below bulwark, starboard side *, ventilators and later when down by the head, through main hatch. Under direction of Coxswain fore messdeck baling but water level increasing. Skipper informed. At about 1530, following a reduction in speed, Senior Officer asked what was wrong and Sk. Beckett replied ‘a hot bearing’, making no mention of leaks and flooding. BILSDEAN turned and came up to vessel which by now was listing to port and well down by the head. At 1615 foundered by the head off Start Point (wreck in position 50.9W 3.38W). Twenty survivors and two bodies picked up and landed Dartmouth. 1942: Fleetwood registry closed.
4.5.1942: Report of CinC Plymouth’s Board of Inquiry (No.M.591/84 dated 1 May 1942) found the loss of the vessel rests primarily with the Commanding Officer, Sk. Beckett, in that he could have returned to Plymouth once leakage was evident or turned stern to the sea and informed the Senior Officer; he did neither. It also considered that blame must rest on Commander C. R. Ryman RN, Boom Defence Officer, Plymouth for allowing the ship which was under his operational and administrative control to put to sea. The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth took blame on himself in that the organisation of his Command permitted this vessel to go to sea without proper Sailing Orders. The Director of Navigation in The Admiralty, however, made the following comments;
“Many craft in a Command are unfit to take passage except in favourable weather conditions, and it is the responsibility of the Command to see that these passages are only undertaken when conditions are suitable, and as far as I can see the Authority responsible for Sailing is the one chiefly responsible.”

Note +: George Henderson was the compiler of a critical report on the situation at St. Kilda and the health of the remaining residents. This report acted as a catalyst and was used in support of a petition to the Government by the remaining 36 inhabitants to be evacuated to the mainland. Evacuation of the island took place on 29 August 1930.

Note *: In Feb 1941 involved in collision with steam tender SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (478grt/1908) sustaining damage to starboard cable trough and plating. This was repaired at refit in Falmouth in Sept 1941 but bulwarks were buckled on the starboard side and this damage was not made good.

(Missing: Ty/Boom Skipper Albert James Beckett RNR. Drowned: Ch Stoker John H. Downing and PO Stoker William S. Dalton – both buried in Plymouth)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Ceresia FD26
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Chorley FD26
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

S.T. Chorley FD26
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
21/09/2015: Information updated.
08/09/2016: Information updated.
09/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
30/11/2017: Information updated.
11/11/2019: Information updated.

The Bosun's Watch

Fleetwood Steam and Sailing Trawlers

Tag Archives: Lost

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14

S.T. Marsona FD21

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323 (Seasonal)

S.T. Irvana FD181

S.T. Chorley FD26