Tag Archives: Smack

s.v. Cygnet FD15

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 27312
Completed: 1859
Gross tonnage: 35.25
Net tonnage: 22.65
Length: 51.7 ft
Breadth: 16.1 ft
Depth: 7.8 ft
Built: Gibson & Butcher, Fleetwood
Smack – trawling

History

28.8.1859: Launched by Miss M. Noblet, daughter of one of the owners at Gibson & Butcher, Fleetwood for Messrs, William Sumner, James Noblet, Thomas Parkinson and Sk. Geoffrey Wright, all Fleetwood as CYGNET.
25.10.1859: Registered at Fleetwood (FD15).
15.2.1851(and subsequent weeks): ON SALE. ONE-FOURTH SHARE of the FISHING SMACK “CYGNET.” The CYGNET was built seventeen months since by Messrs, Gibson and Butcher of Fleetwood, and is now profitably engaged in the Fishing Trade. Apply to Mr William Sumner, Fleetwood.
7.11.1866: Alongside the Jubilee Pier. At a little past midnight, P.C. Campbell on duty in Dock Street heard cries, “Oh Captain, there’s a man overboard.” Campbell ran to the pier and saw a man in the water clinging to a wooden fender outside the smack. Although the smack was some feet below the pier and away from the side, he jumped onboard and tried to pull the man out of the water but he was too drunk to respond. On blowing his whistle, PC Whiteside responded and found, that with the help of a seaman from the Preston registered brigantine SAXON (153regd tons/1863), the man had been lifted out of the water. He was identified as William Baxter, a fisherman of Fleetwood and was fortunate that the wind kept the smack away from the pier, otherwise he could have been drowned or crushed to death.
5.8.1874: On the ‘oyster beds’ some nine miles NNW of Morecambe Bay Lightship in company with other trawlers including EZRA (FD1) (Sk. Richard Wright) , MARTHA and LIZZIE (FD??) (Sk. Robert Rimmer) and MARY (aka MARY ASHCROFT) (FD24), with the trawl down in a moderate SW breeze under main and jib running across the tide. At about 6.00pm. saw a ship under full sail on the port tack coming towards them. An hour later trawling on the port tack, saw the same ship again bearing down on them now on the starboard tack. Observed the MARTHA and LIZZIE run down and foundered under the ship’s bow. Launched the punt manned by Jeb Rimmer, Dick Wright and Jack Wright and pulled over to search for survivors. The ship, payed off on the port tack and when in a position close to where the collision had occurred, spoke to the boat informing them that they had onboard three survivors, David Cowell, George Cowell and Edward Rimmer, but two men, Robert Rimmer and David Cowell were missing after last seen in the water. After wearing ship again transferred the three men to the boat and after a fruitless search in the area placed them onboard the MARY ASHCROFT. Later it was decided to take the three men back to Fleetwood onboard the CYGNET.
6.8.1874: Arrived Fleetwood and landed the survivors. The ship proved to be the American ship IRONSIDES (1400grt/) (Capt. George Blackstone Ashton), Liverpool for Mobile, Alabama with general cargo (also said to be in ballast).
1.1.1875: Owned by Thomas Parkinson, Fleetwood & others.
16.8.1879: A boat race which created much interest amongst the Fleetwood fishermen was that for smack punts over a course in the River Wyre. The prizes competed for were offered by Mr J. Johnson, auctioneer, of Preston. The first was an eight-day clock, valued at 20s, the second 10s and the third 5s, with a metal tea pot for the last boat. Fifteen boats started the race, the course being from the ferry slip, round the lighthouse and back again. The MARY ASHCROFT boat took the lead at the half distance but at the Knott Buoy she was overtaken by the CYGNET and afterwards the MARIA. The return journey was slow there being very little wind and an ebb tide. Results were CYGNET having taken three hours and 20 minutes followed by the MARIA and MARY ASHCROFT. The last boat home was the EZRA.
1.1.1880: Owned by Jeffrey Wright, Fleetwood & others.
1881: Census at Fleetwood – Richard Wright (38), b-Southport, master; Robert Wright (19), b-Fleetwood, fisherman; William Archer (34), b-Fleetwood, fisherman; James Pater (45) b-Liverpool, fisherman; James Pater (13), b-Fleetwood, cook.
13.10.1881: The storms in this month were particularly severe, reaching hurricane force at times. In general the Fleetwood fishing fleet fared better than many others, however no word of the smack was received in Fleetwood and she was reported missing.
18.10.1881: Arrived Greenore, Co. Louth to land a catch of fish. She had sheltered in Douglas until Sunday evening 16th. All well.
28.7.1882: At Fleetwood, took part in race for Fishing Boats’ Punts (Sk. John Wright). Considered that there was too much sea outside, but the contest was very close. Finished third (10s 16d).
4.11.1887: In a particularly fierce gale with recorded wind speeds of 70mph, lying alongside Jubilee, had topmast break away.
4.10.1888: On coming into Fleetwood when crossing the bar in collision with the smack CORSAIR (AR29). Bowsprit carried away and at one time both in danger of grounding.
27.11.1889: Sold to William Moss, Fleetwood.
31.12.1900: Sold to William Moss & John Wignall, Fleetwood. William Moss managing owner.
31.1.1891/1.2.1891: Very few of the trawlers that returned home came back without some loss or damage. With very bad weather in the Irish Channel the fleet had attempted to to reach the Irish coast but the weather on 26th January was so severe that they remained at anchor until the following day. Only a few boats made the Irish Coast and many put into Peel and Ramsey for shelter. In the midst of the heavy gale which lasted for six hours the Fleetwood boats that were still at sea suffered damage. Returned with trawl beam broken.
2.2.1891: Nearly all the boats alongside were undergoing repairs, some had landed fair catches which made around £12 gross.
4.5.1892: Coxswain Wright, along with Mr S. Scott (Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, etc), Mr B. Furse (Board of Trade) and Mr J. R. Gibson, held an examination for skippers and second hands. Mr John Johnson, fisherman of the CYGNET passed satisfactorily as second hand.
8.3.1904: Sold to William Moss, 41 Pharos Street, Fleetwood.
19.12.1904: Fleetwood registry closed. “ Vessel dismasted & will no longer used as a fishing boat.”

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published. 2 updates since then.
21/10/2022: Significant update to history.

s.v. Confidence FD48

Technical

Official Number: 70167
Completed: 1874
Rig: Smack
Gross Tonnage: 37
Net Tonnage: 25
Length: 50.0 ft
Breadth: 16.3 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Rig: Smack – trawling & drifting
Built: Peter Rawstrone, Freckleton

History

1874: Launched by Peter Rawstrone, Freckleton for Richard Leadbetter, Fleetwood as CONFIDENCE.
21.7.1874: Appropriated.
8.8.1874: Registered at Fleetwood (FD121).
4.11.1875: At Whitehaven in company with AMETHYST (FD107), PETREL (FD59) and SPRAY (LR??). Attempted to leave harbour. Informed by Mr Dawson, collector of dues, that they could not leave until harbour dues paid. As they refused to pay the harbour tug was moored across the entrance to prevent them leaving. CONFIDENCE and PETREL skippers decided to pay, but AMETHYST and SPRAY continued their attempt to leave, one of the crew of SPRAY cut the tug’s head ropes and AMETHYST fell foul of the tug, smashing her boat. AMETHYST and SPRAY boarded by harbour master and mainsails confiscated.
6.11.1875: Skippers attended at the office of the solicitors to the Harbour Trustees and consented to pay all dues, damages and costs. Sails returned and allowed to sail.
1881: Census at Fleetwood – William Leadbetter (25), b-Fleetwood, fisherman master; Robert Y. Lemming (23), b-Preston, fisherman mate; John Salthouse (19), b-Fleetwood, fisherman; Richard Hughes (41), Liverpool, fisherman; Simeon Hughes (58), b-Tarleton, cook).
1899: Sold to Hugh F. Hathorn, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtown & other (Hugh F. Hathorn managing owner). Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Whitehaven (1/1899).
5.2.1901: Sold to William Leadbetter, The Emporium, Fleetwood.
30.1.1901: Whitehaven registry closed.
5.2.1901: Registered at Fleetwood (FD48).
1919: William Leadbetter, 27 North Albert Street, Fleetwood.
1919: Sold for use as a houseboat.
23.2.1919: Fleetwood registry closed.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published. 2 updates since then.
25/11/2018: Information updated.
10/10/2021: Information updated.

s.v. Christina FD13

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson & Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 27311
Completed: 1859
Gross tonnage: 37.76
Net tonnage: 21.88
Length: 56.6 ft
Breadth: 16.4 ft
Depth: 7.7 ft
Rig: Smack – trawling
Built: Robert Wright, Freckleton

History

1859: Launched by Robert Wright, Freckleton for Nicholas Leadbetter, Fleetwood as CHRISTINA.
12.2.1859: Appropriated.
12.2.1859: Registered at Fleetwood.
24.5.1862: Acting as a carrier landed for the fleet 99 baskets of soles, besides other fish, the produce of the labour from sixteen boats. Price achieved for the soles, 3d per pound.
25.5.1865: Sailing near the Danger Patch (Sk. Robert Wright), a young turtle was observed swimming about. The punt was launched and after a little time it was captured. On return to Fleetwood it was taken to the Crown Hotel, where it was weighed, recording 211/2lbs.
3.6.1866: At the Primitive Methodist Church, Fleetwood, Sk. Robert Wright presented a copy of the Holy Scriptures to Mr Edwin Howell on the occasion of his leaving Fleetwood. Sk. Wright had been deeply moved by the affection his young scholars of the bible class in the Sunday school showed for Mr Howell.
1.3.1869: Sold to John Calder & Robert Wright, Fleetwood. Registered at Fleetwood (FD13).
18.10.1870: Moored in the harbour at Fleetwood. The crew having gone to breakfast, two boys were playing in the area, observed smoke coming from the hold. Boarding the smack and on entering the hold saw a fire. They tried to put it out but it was too well alight, so they raised the alarm. This attracted the crew of the LOWNDS (FD??) moored nearby and they managed to put the fire out. There was little damage done but the origin of the fire is unknown.
29.5.1871: The Primitive Methodist Sunday school embarked on a trip to Barrow, there being too many passengers for the chartered steamer RENOWN, the smack was taken in tow carrying the excess. Returned to Fleetwood a little before 10.00pm.
2.6.1873: The Primitive Methodist Sunday school embarked on a trip to Barrow, there being too many passengers for the chartered Liverpool paddle steamer DANDY (126grt/1863), the smack was taken in tow carrying the scholars. Altogether about 600 people were conveyed across the Bay and returned to Fleetwood a little before 10.00pm.
1.1.1875: Owned by John Calder, Fleetwood.
24.3.1875: Fishing some 12-14 miles NNW of the Morecambe Bay Lightship (Sk. Richard Hudson. At about 2.30am. on hauling found a badly decomposed body in the net only held together by his clothing, which was those of a sailor dressed for watch onboard.
25.3.1875: Body landed at Fleetwood.
26.3.1875: At the inquest held at Fleetwood Police Station into the body brought ashore, it was noted that there was no means of identification and a verdict of “Found drowned “ was returned.
10.3.1880: One of three Fleetwood fishing boats were lying together. At about 4.15am., James Wright, son of the skipper Nicholas Wright, who was the cook, looked to go aboard the next boat the ELIZABETH ANN (FD130), but must have missed his footing in the darkness and fell between the two boats. When he was found to be missing a search of the other boats was made, but when he was not found, a trawl was made of the area where it might have fallen overboard, but without success.
1881: Census at Fleetwood – William Rimmer (35), b-Southport, master; Peter Wilson (35), b-Fleetwood, mate; Thomas Pater (20), b-Fleetwood, fisherman; Thomas Sumner (21), b-Fleetwood, fisherman; William Wright (19), b-Whitehaven, cook.
1882: Sold to Nicholas Leadbetter, Fleetwood.
28.3.1888: Sailed Ayr for Fleetwood to be home for Easter. Off Stranraer in a heavy blow it was necessary to take in a reef on the mainsail. While they were doing so a heavy squall hit them and Thomas Railton (30), Back Pharos Street, was knocked overboard by the breaking boom. Every effort was made to search for him but he was not seen again. Put back to Ayr for repair.
30.3.1888: Sailed Ayr for Fleetwood.
31.3.1888: Arrived Fleetwood.
30.10.1889: Acting as a carrier landed about 14 baskets of mixed fish, BETSEY AND SARAH (FD27) also in the carrier role, landed 16 baskets. Prices – soles 1s per lb, plaice 2s 9d per score.
2.12.1889: The Fleetwood fishing fleet sent in some good catches, acting as a carrier along with IDA (FD51) and ALICIA (FD60).
21/22.12.1894: A whole fleet of trawlers and cargoes were lost during the great storm over Europe.
22.12.1894: Returned to Fleetwood (Sk. John Meadows) with damage and skipper injured.
20.5.1895: Reported that while fishing in a moderate NW gale (Sk. John Meadows), struck by a squall carrying away the channel plates of the rigging port side causing the mast to break about twenty feet above deck. The trawl gear was cut away and the EZRA (FD1) (Sk. John Wright) who was close by, connected and towed back to Fleetwood.
2/3.9.1902: The majority of the Fleetwood fishing smacks, were at sea when the gale sprang up but managed to reach shelter without loss of life. Most had a very rough time of it resulting in sails torn or blown away, spars broken and otherwise damaged. During the afternoon reached port in company with ZEPHYR (FD134) with sails torn and blown away.
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 and after being buffeted about for several hours, fetched up on the hulking at Knott End in a relatively sheltered position.
26.2.1903: Refloated at high water and with minimal damage towed back into port.
21.11.1907: Laid up at Fleetwood ‘for want of skipper’.
6.1908: Sold to John Thomas Kee, 25 West Quay, Ramsey.
16.7.1908: Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Ramsey, IoM (RY99).
1913: Ramsey registry closed.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
30/12/2015: Information updated.
05/10/2022: Updated history.
16/09/2023: Updated history.

s.v. Alicia FD60

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 63930
Completed: 1870
Gross Tonnage: 27.92
Net tonnage: 19.56
Length: 58 ft
Breadth: 14.5 ft
Depth: 7.1 ft
Rig: Jigger Smack – Trawling

History

1870: Completed by Richard Smith?, Preston, for Richard Johnson, Fleetwood as ALICIA. 15.11.1970: Appropriated.
15.11.1970: Registered at Fleetwood.
1.1.1875: Owned by John Calder, Fleetwood.
12.10.1875: Body of Liverpool pilot, James B. Tudor, picked up off Blackpool and landed at Fleetwood.
27.7.1883: Arrived Fleetwood (Sk. Nicholas Wright) and reported having picked up a boot containing a man’s foot up to the ankle. The boot was identified by the maker and Mrs Nicholl, widow of the late Samuel Nicholl, skipper, as being that of her late husband who lost his life at sea when the smack, MARY ELLEN (FD21) was lost with all hands on 14 October 1881. While near the place where the boot was picked up, the gear came fast and the obstacle is supposed to be the sunken MARY ELLEN.
29.12.1884: Sold to Nicholas Leadbetter, Fleetwood & others (Lawrence Bond, skipper).
2.12.1889: The Fleetwood fishing fleet sent in some good catches, acting as a carrier along with IDA (FD51) and CHRISTINA (FD13).
31.1.1891/1.2.1891: Very few of the trawlers that returned home came back without some loss or damage. With very bad weather in the Irish Channel the fleet had attempted to reach the Irish coast but the weather on 26th January was so severe that they remained at anchor until the following day. Only a few boats made the Irish Coast and many put into Peel and Ramsey for shelter. In the midst of the heavy gale which lasted for six hours the Fleetwood boats that were still at sea suffered damage. Returned with trawl beam broken.
2.2.1891: Nearly all the boats alongside were undergoing repairs, some had landed fair catches which made around £12 gross.
20.4.1905: Sold to Granville Buckley, 21 Horncliffe Rd, Blackpool.
1906: Brookes’ steam capstan fitted.
5.10.1906: On Sale. Sailing Trawler “ALICIA” 60ft length (Brookes’ Steam Capstan, nearly new); or would arrange liberally with competent, sober skipper. – W. H. Buckley, 21 Horncliff Road, Blackpool.
11.1906: When trawling in the vicinity of the Nelson Buoy (Sk. Joe Holmes), some six and a half miles from St. Anne’s pier, the trawl came fast on a heavy obstruction. The crew which included the owner, George (sic) Buckley, hauled in the net with great difficulty and found a heavy chain attached. Working for fully eighteen hours they recovered sixty fathoms of chain and a large anchor, all very much corroded. Returned to Fleetwood with fish and salvaged chain and anchor. There was much speculation as to the origin of the salvaged gear, but St. Anne’s men were strongly of the opinion that they belonged to the Morecambe Bay Lightship which was driven from her station by the turbulent seas and severe NW gale in the early morning of 23rd December 1894. Her progress, which would surely have fetched her up on the Ribble Banks, being arrested by the Fleetwood tug FYLDE (217grt/1881) when outside Salthouse Bank, which connected and proceeded northwards.
19.10.1908: Sold to William Eaves, 90 Ash St, Fleetwood (James Wright, skipper), later of 56 Addison Road, Fleetwood (Lawrence Bond, skipper).
18.2.1909: Moses Burgoyne (58), fisherman, at about 7.00pm standing on the Jubilee quayside, drunk and intent on returning to the smack to sleep it off. Seen by Robert Eaves, fisherman who tried to persuade him to move away and taken to the railway foot bridge. Sitting Burgoyne down on the steps he left him to sleep. When some ten yards away, Eaves heard a splash and returning found that Burgoyne had fallen between the smack and the quay. Climbing down the ladder Eaves held Burgoyne for about fifteen minutes before rescuers, hearing his cries, brought both men onto the smack. Burgoyne suffered a 3” cut on his forehead and after first aid by the police was conveyed to the Cottage Hospital unconscious.
21.3.1909: Burgoyne died in the Cottage Hospital having made no progress since his admission.
24.3.1909: At the inquest held at Fleetwood into the death of Moses Burgoyne, a verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded.
5.9.1911: Alongside Jubilee Quay. At about 12.50am a fire was discovered by Thomas McNaughton who at once raised the alarm. Both the Town and Wyre Dock Brigades attended and found that the bulkhead between the cabin and the hold and a quantity of loose material was well alight. Using the hydrants on the quay a good supply of water was obtained and after about an hour and a half’s combined efforts the fire was extinguished. The damage, which is estimated at £50, is covered by insurance, but the origin of the fire is unknown. Laid up.
13.12.1912: Pencil note from the Fleetwood Registry of Sea Fishing Boats (SS 13/1 3/774/2 Folio 35) “ boat to be dismantled and enquiry to be made in 3 months – 13.2.13 as to cancellation of registry. “
19.3.1913: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel broken up at Fleetwood. Advice received from owner ”.

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
20/10/2014: Information updated.
23/06/2022: Information updated.