Tag Archives: Lost

S.T. Socrates FD163

Technical

Official Number: 123356
Yard Number: 331
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 296
Net Tonnage: 110
Length: 138.6 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 11.8 ft
Built: Mackie & Thompson, Govan
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge

History

12.5.1906: Launched by Mackie & Thomson, Govan (Yd.No.331) for Anglo-Norwegian Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as SOCRATES.
12.6.1906: Registered at Hull (H885).
6.1906: Completed (William R. Leyman, manager).
10.10.1912: Sold to James H. Marr, Fleetwood for £5250.
15.11.1912: Hull registry closed.
16.11.1912: Registered at Fleetwood (FD163).
7.12.1912: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (James H. Marr, manager).
7.1.1913: Homeward from fishing grounds (Sk.Philip Burman). In thick fog and drizzle, stranded on rocks in Clanyard Bay, Wigtownshire. Crew of eleven scaled cliffs and made their way to Drummore. At high water slipped from rocks and submerged.
1.1913: Survey by Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association’s steam derrick barge LADY KATE (135grt/1881) indicated little damage but offer to refloat was declined by Hull Steam Trawlers Mutual Insurance Co.
21.1.1913: Fleetwood registry closed “Total loss”. Wreck stripped.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Socrates H885

S.T. Socrates H885
Picture courtesy of Billy Worrall

S.T. Socrates FD163

S.T. Socrates FD163
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. Socrates FD163

S.T. Socrates FD163
Picture courtesy of Fred Baker

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published.
19/05/2014: Picture added.
01/06/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.

S.T. Soar FD155

Additional information courtesy of Ross Littlewood

Technical

Official Number: 136902
Yard Number: 609
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 219
Net Tonnage: 85
Length: 117 ft
Breadth: 22 ft
Depth: 11.9 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank on Tees, Middlesbrough

History

16.3.1915: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank on Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.609) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood as SOAR.
22.4.1915: Registered at Fleetwood (FD155) (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
4.1915: Completed. Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.1620). Based Swansea.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
9.1919: In collision in dock channel with CITY OF LONDON (FD201) and both vessel took the ground. Refloated on next tide.
9.1923: Attended smack LOUIE RIGBY (FD127) dismasted and in distress in heavy seas. Connected and towed (18 hours) to Milford Haven.
1935: Sold to Andrew Robertson & James S. Kelman, Aberdeen (Andrew Robertson managing owner).
29.4.1935: Fleetwood registry closed.
1.5.1935: Registered at Aberdeen (A284).
18.3.1940: Returning from coaling in Methil in darkness (coastal lights extinguished) and heavy weather, ran on reef to east of Black Waugh rocks 1 mile south of Gourdon, Kincardineshire; six crew lost*. Declared a total loss.
26.11.1940: Aberdeen registry closed “Total loss”.

Note On a stormy night, the trawler SOAR of Aberdeen foundered on the outlying reefs to the East of the rocks known as the “Black Waughs”, half a mile south of Gourdon. Her crew of six all perished.
SOAR had been south for bunker coal and was on her way back to Aberdeen when disaster struck. It being wartime there were no coastal lights to help the skipper navigate and the strong South-Easterly wind must have forced his vessel too far in.

The first sign of the wreck was discovered by a villager “raking the beach”. Daylight was just breaking when he stumbled on a body. He quickly ran back to Gourdon and alerted the Coastguards and villagers. Just as the coastguards and fisherman reached the scene they saw the trawler’s small boat drifting shorewards. Coastguard John Penny & skipper John Stewart dashed into the water and with some difficulty managed to reach the boat – sadly – it was empty.

At the time there was no sign of the vessel itself, but at low water the ship’s boiler could be seen to the east of the “Black Waughs”. Most of the bodies were recovered during the day.
“The Wild & Rocky Coast” by Roy Soutar (Roy is a Gourdon resident, ex-fisherman & whose father was Cox of the Gourdon lifeboat).

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Soar FD155

S.T. Soar FD155
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 4 revisions since then.
30/09/2014: Added information.
29/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.

S.T. Snipe FD168

Technical

Official Number: 108524
Yard Number: 549
Completed: 1897
Gross Tonnage: 143
Net Tonnage: 43
Length: 106 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 11 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Edward Bros, North Shields

History

15.4.1897: Launched by Edwards Bros, North Shields (Yd.No.549) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Manchester as SNIPE.
21.5.1897: Registered at Fleetwood (FD168).
5.1897: Completed (John E. A. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood, managers).
3.1899: Transferred to Hull.
8.4.1899: Registered at Hull (H133).
12.5.1899: Fleetwood registry closed.
22.10.1904: The Dogger Bank Incident. Shelled and damaged by Russian Navy Baltic Fleet while fishing on the Dogger Bank. Russians on passage to the Pacific in the darkness opened fire on the trawlers (approx 45 vessels) under the impression that they were about to be attacked.
2.1.1911: On North sea grounds with gale force winds and heavy seas running (Sk.Griffiths). Shortly before dawn saw signals of distress from a vessel some distance away. Closed and found Norwegian barque BAMSE (957grt/??) being smashed about and helpless. Steam trawler RUFF (H34) went to her assistance and had boat launched and manned when a heavy sea struck the barque and she capsized and foundered; none of her crew seen and presumed all lost.
8.9.1911: Registered office transferred to Hull (George Beeching, Hull & John E. A. Kelsall, London, managers).
23.9.1911: Re-measured after lengthening to 119.0 ft 165g 64n.
23.9.1911: Hull registry closed and vessel registered anew in consequence of material alterations (H133).
11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence trawler (1-3pdr) (Ad.No.384). Based Scapa.
1920: Returned to owner at Hull.
7.6.1919: John Slater, London appointed manager.
10.1921: Foundered after being involved in a collision in North Sea.
28.12.1922: Hull registry closed “Total loss”.

Changelog
07/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
16/06/2016: Information updated.

s.v. Devonshire Lass FD37

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 87593
Completed: 1883
Net Tonnage: 44
Built: Thomas Mathews, Galmpton
Rig: Cutter – trawling

History

1883: Completed by Thomas Mathews, Galmpton for Alfred Wilton, Brixham as DEVONSHIRE LASS. Registered at Dartmouth (DH18).
1885: Sold to Thomas Blackmore Brusey, Dublin.
1888: Sold to Jas. Brusey, 9 York Street, Kingstown, Co. Dublin.
1897: Owned by Samuel Pullen, 15 Cambridge Street, Ringsend, Co. Dublin.
28.8.1900: Sold to James Wright, 25 Adelaide Street, Fleetwood. Dartmouth/Brixham registry closed.
5.9.1900: Registered at Fleetwood (FD37).
25.2.1903: During the night, the Fylde Coast experienced the worst weather since the storm of December 1894, in a SSE Force 9 severe gale, reaching storm force in the squalls, torn from her moorings at Jubilee Quay and after being after being buffeted about for several hours, carried out and on to Bernard’s Wharf. On the flood, driven further on to Pilling Sands and shortly before noon she foundered. Visited at low water, found to be partly buried in sand, seams open and feared to be a total wreck.
19.3.1903: Reported that the wreck of the fishing smack “Devonshire Lass” which went ashore on Pilling Sands a fortnight earlier, was sold by auction for 22s 6d.
7.10.1903: Fleetwood registry closed “ Sold as a wreck.”

Click to enlarge image

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
05/10/2022: Updated history.

S.T. Sea Ranger FD426

Technical

Official Number: 136214
Yard Number: 609
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 263
Net Tonnage: 103
Length: 125.2 ft
Breadth: 22.5 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

25.7.1914: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.609) for Humber Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as SEA RANGER.
6.11.1914: Registered at Hull (H188).
11.11.1914: Completed (Richard H. Hobbs, manager).
2.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.1219). Fitted as Leader. Based Peterhead. Leader Unit 42.
16.7.1915: Unit 42, at 0830 am. in position 57.20N 0.40E patrolling in a rough line to the NW in the following order SEA RANGER(Lieut. H. J. Bray RNR), EASTWARD HO (Ad.No.1217)(H415) and CAMEO (Ad.No.1216) (H394) (Sk. Albert Sayer RNR) approximately 2 miles apart. Observed a steamer steering erratically and detached to close her to investigate. Found Norwegian steamer VAAGEN picking up lumber lost from her deck cargo. At the same time CAMEO turned southwards to examine a boat that had passed and sighted a surfaced submarine to the SW steaming towards him, turned towards submarine which fired a shot at him falling short followed by at least four other shots that also fell short. At 2000yds submarine opened fire with two guns, returned fire but hit three times in fore part of wheelhouse, smashing wheel and wounding Sk. Sayer on right side and eye by splinters. Second shot hit starboard quarter while the third shot exploded in the galley. Believed that submarine was hit two or three times at the fore end, in all 11 rounds fired by CAMEO. EASTWARD HO becoming aware of the action steered towards them and submarine ceased firing and headed away to the westward on the surface. Sighted the submarine 4 to 5 miles to the southwestwards and gave chase trying to cut her off with EASTWARD HO also in pursuit but due to superior speed the submarine escaped (* See Note 1).
1916: Based Peterhead.
27.5.1916: With HMTrawlers OKU (Ad.No.1355)(CF25), RODINO (Ad.No.1230)(GY836) and KIMBERLEY (Ad.No.11)(GY167) patrolling Area B between Lat 57.10 and 57.39. At 12.30 pm. GMT observed a sail and smoke to the Northward steering Eastward; proceeded to investigate. Identified as a submarine, as per orders Unit proceeded to encircle submarine. At 12.45 pm. in position 57.10N 1.20E with OKU and RODINO , opened fire at 4000 yds, range found and one shot observed to strike submarine aft; fire returned directing shots at each trawler alternatively. Submarine after gun ceased firing engaged by forward gun but shots failing short, with periscope and part conning tower shot away and listing to port, appeared to be attempting to submerge. With OKU intended to ram but submarine headed for KIMBERLEY which made ramming impossible as submarine was was approaching within 8 ft of KIMBERLEY, broadside on with very little way on. As KIMBERLEY passed she fired three shots into the submarine at point blank range, submarine at the time being heeled over heavily to port sinking stern first. Submarine sank at once after last shot fired with a large quantity of oil on the surface. Time 1.30 pm. Unit fired 58 shots in all and submarine about 20. (** See Note 2). Northern Patrol.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
4.12.1919: Sold to Fresh Fish Supplies Ltd, Hull (Thomas Nightingale, manager).
4.1923: Sold to Henry Elliott, Fleetwood (managing owner).
13.4.1923: Hull registry closed.
18.4.1923: Registered at Fleetwood (FD426).
08.07.1923: Sold to The Sun Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (James W. Armitage, manager).
4.6.1926: Fishing near Clachaig Point, Arran. Arrested by Scottish Fishery Board cruiser VIGILANT (Capt Simpson) after a 15 mile chase having refused to stop and having name and number of vessel obscured.
10.8.1926: At Rothesay Sheriff Court, Sk. George Hughes pleaded guilty to both charges and in view of previous convictions was fined £20 on the first charge, £50 on the second with the alternative of 40 days/three months imprisonment.
4.1928: Sold to The Trident Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (G. A. Ledger, manager).
18.4.1928: Fleetwood registry closed.
20.4.1928: Registered at Hull as DUNGENESS (H418).
25.7.1939: Insured value £4,800.
5.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an anti-submarine trawler (P.No.NI) (Hire rate £70.2.8d/month).
15.11.1940: Damaged by German air attack off Hammonds Knoll, stayed afloat and beached on Haisborough Sands, Norfolk; Ty/Prob Skipper C. W. Needham RNR and crew saved. Subsequently declared a total loss.
16.1.1947: Hull registry closed.

*Note 1: Research by Peter Bell and Michael Lowery has identified the submarine as U19. In her KTB she claimed two hits on CAMEO and accurate firing from CAMEO’s 3-pdr. Sk. Sayer was awarded DSC and gunner the DSM.

**Note 2 : Despite this encounter being well recorded in the Patrol Reports, and the description of the submarine fitting a U-series torpedo attack boat, we have failed to identify the submarine. Michael Lowery has investigated with the following comment. “May 27 incident involving SEA RANGER, OKU, RODINO, and KIMBERLEY: checked the KTBs of U 24, U 32, U 43, U 44, U 46, U 47, U 51, U 52, U 63, U 66, U 67, U 70 — no luck. These are, I think, all the U-series torpedo attack boats that were at sea at that time.” Subsequently in U66 KTB is a report of intercepting a British radio message “… proceeding to fifty seven twenty seven — to assist SEA RANGER engaging submarine.”

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S.T. Dungeness H418

S.T. Dungeness H418
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
04/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
16/09/2015: Picture added.
30/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.
31/07/2021: Updated history.