Tag Archives: Thomas Leadbetter

sv Industry FD22

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number:
Completed: 1830
Net Tonnage: 21
Rig: Smack – Trawling
Built: ??, Freckleton

History

1830: Completed by ??, Freckleton for ??, ?? as INDUSTRY.
07/11/1831: At the house of Thomas Rimmer. “TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION”, “That remarkable sailing smack “INDUSTRY”, burthen 27 tons, copper fastened with sails etc., all complete, together with an excellent assortment of Fishing Tackle. The above Vessel was built at Freckleton about eight months ago. For further particulars apply to THOMAS WRIGHT, at Freckleton; or to JOHN ALLINSON at Sollom, near Tarleton.
25/06/1852: At Fleetwood.
1854: Thomas & William Leadbetter, Fleetwood.
1/1/1875: Owned by Thomas Leadbetter, Fleetwood.
08/02/1862: Fleetwood Chronicle; “FORTY PUNCHEONS OF WHISKY PICKED UP AT SEA. On Wednesday last, thirty-nine puncheons of whiskey were handed over to Mr. Walker (as receiver of wreck for the district) which had been picked up at sea on the previous day by the following Fleetwood fishing boats:- SURPRISE. (R. Leadbetter), 11 puncheons; MARYS, (T. Wright), 9; ELIZABETH, (R. Wright), 6; FAWN, (Ball), 5; PURSUIT, (R. Wilson), 3; and the MARY ELLEN, (N. Leadbetter), 5. On being tested, the liquor was found to be 40% over proof; the 39 puncheons thus yielding 7,100 gallons of proof spirits. The barrels were found floating about 20 miles west of Blackpool and appear to have been in the water for a long time, and it is supposed they formed part of the cargo of a wrecked vessel, which is now breaking up. All are marked either “McNab, Glenochil” or “John Bold, Carse Bridge;”
The value of the whiskey, exclusive of duty is from £800 to £900. The finders will probably receive a salvage of one third.
If not claimed at the end of twelve months it will be sold and, after salvage, the proceeds will go to the crown.
On Thursday, the fishing vessel INDUSTRY brought another puncheon in.
1895: In ownership of John Duffy, Whitehaven. Registered at Whitehaven.
1898: In ownership of William Peet, Whitehaven.
09/10/1898: About 3/4 miles W of Danger Patch buoy, in collision with the Fleetwood vessel DOTTERELL, which sank in 30 fathoms of water. All crew saved an returned to Fleetwood aboard INDUSTRY.
09/12/1898: Off St. Bees Head. Run down and sunk by the steamer JOHN BURBERRY. Captain saved but two crew lost.

Changelog
26/02/2011: Page published.
16/02/2024: Update to history.

s.v. Dotterel FD5

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 62951
Completed: 1885
Net Tonnage: 36
Length: 55 ft
Rig: Smack- trawling
Built: Robert Wright, Freckleton

History

28.1.1869: At 11.00 am, launched by Robert Wright, Freckleton for William (“Owd Billy”) Leadbetter and Thomas Leadbetter (his son), Fleetwood as Dotterel.
13.2.1869: Appropriated.
13.2.1869: Registered at Fleetwood (FD5).
1.1.1875: Owned by William Leadbetter, Fleetwood.
24.9.1879: Fishing off the Cumberland coast (Sk. William Leadbetter). At about 9.30am when some 9 miles off the Duddon Buoy, observed a body floating in the water. Hove to and launched boat, succeeded in recovering the body, identified as that of James Scott (33) washed off the smack SYREN (FD30) while trawling to the north of the Barrow Ironworks three weeks previously. The body was left in the boat and towed back to Fleetwood arriving at about 6.30pm.
25.9.1879: At the inquest held in the Crown Hotel, Fleetwood a verdict of “Accidentally drowned” was recorded. The jury expressed a strong opinion that the body, having been immersed in water for three weeks, should have been taken to the mortuary and not taken to the home of the deceased.
1881: Census at Fleetwood – William Leadbetter (37), b-North Meols, master fisherman; Robert Wilson (65), b-North Meols, mate; William Baxter (39), b-North Meols, fisherman; James Middleton, b-Stafford, fisherman; Richard Rimmer (14), b-Fleetwood, cook.
1885: Owned by Thomas Leadbetter (43/64) and Sk. William Leadbetter (21/64), Fleetwood.
7.10.1885: Sailed on the morning tide from Fleetwood for the fishing grounds (Sk. William Leadbetter). When about 3/4 mile beyond the Danger Patch Buoy and standing out on the starboard tack across the Lune, at about 11.50am, the cook, who was at the helm, observed a smack on the port tack bearing down on them. The cook left the tiller and rushed to call out the crew. When the mate arrived on deck the smack INDUSTRY was only a few yards away and shortly after struck the trawler on the port side by the fore rigging. One crew member scrambled aboard the INDUSTRY and the others took to the boat, the trawler foundering in about 28 – 30 fathoms in the centre of the Lune. Both smacks were being helmed by the cook, as was customary once they were clear of the Wyre Light and the crew were below eating.
1885: Fleetwood registry closed.

Note: Rule of the Road – When a vessel is on the starboard tack and approached by a vessel on the port tack, he stands on and the vessel on the port tack gives way.

Changelog

20/02/2011: Page published. 3 updates since then.
12/05/2022: Information updated.

s.v. Syren FD30

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 9903
Launched: 1846
Gross Tonnage: 31
Net Tonnage: 24
Length: 50
Rig: Smack – netting
Built: ??, Brixham

History

1846: Completed by ??, Brixham as SYREN.
3.6.1846: Took part in the Sailing Match for Trawlers sponsored by the Dublin & Kingstown Railway Company.
1853: Registered at Dublin (54/1853).
By 1860: Registered at Galway.
1.1.1967: Owned by George Green, Londonderry. Registered at Londonderry.
1869: Owned by Thomas Seed, Fleetwood.
1869: Registered at Fleetwood (FD30).
187?: Sold to J. Wright, Fleetwood.
1.1.1875: Owned by Thomas Wright, Fleetwood.
6.8.1979: Coming up the Lune in a severe gale, struck by a sudden squall blowing out the belly of the mainsail. Arrived Fleetwood without more damage.
3.9.1879: On arrival at Fleetwood, Skipper Tomlinson reported that while trawling north of the Barrow Ironworks at about 1.00pm fisherman James Scott ( 32) was carried overboard when a sea swept over the deck. No one saw him go overboard but when the water cleared he was missing and observed in the sea close by. Pieces of wood were thrown overboard in the hope that he would catch one and hold on but he disappeared. The smack was kept in the area for some time but nothing more was seen of him. Scott had a narrow escape on the previous trip when a sea broke close by on the starboard side, before sweeping the deck.
1.1.1880: Owned by Thomas Leadbetter, Fleetwood & others.
23.8.1881: At Fleetwood in the Sailing Match for Fishing Boat’s Punts, came third (John Wright).
17.11.1883: In a strong southerly gale, Henry Fisher (46), bosun of the Liverpool registered steamer ANNIE (411grt/1883), on passage Belfast – Fleetwood, was a adjusting the port navigation light when the vessel pitched heavily and he was thrown on deck and died within an hour. The body was landed at Ramsey where examination showed that he died of spinal injuries. Transferred to the SYREN (Sk. Henry Leadbetter) for passage to Fleetwood.
24.11.1883: Arrived Fleetwood, Body placed on train for journey to his home at Freckleton.
24.10.1887: Sold to ??, Fleetwood.
1902: Off the Cumberland coast (Skipper Robert C. Sumner). Reported that the trawler was driven ashore on Drigg beach, Ravenglass, Cumberland. Skipper and two crew safe.
13.9.1902: FOR SALE by AUCTION on FRIDAY 19.SEPTEMBER 1902 at Half-past Three o’clock, as she now lies Stranded on the Beach near Drigg Station. She is a Wood-built Smack, in Good Order, 24 Tons Register, with Iron Knees and Keel. A Splendid Pitch Pine Mast and Rigging, 2 Windlasses and Large Pitch Pine Boom (new) and Top Mast lying at Drigg Station. The Smack has lately cost £250 in Repairs and can be easily Floated and may prove a profitable speculation. Also several TONS of Copper Dross as Ballast. Terms -Cash.
12.2.10.1902: Fleetwood registry closed. “Broken up”.

Changelog
24/02/2009: Page published.
14/02/2015: Information updated.
12/05/2022: Information updated.

s.v. Wonder FD68

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 63932
Completed: 1870
Gross Tonnage: 38
Net Tonnage: 25
Length: 57 ft
Rig: Smack – trawling & lining
Built: John Gibson, Fleetwood

History

16.12.1870: Completed by John Gibson, Fleetwood (Yd.No.14) for Thomas Leadbetter, Fleetwood & others as WONDER.
3.1.1871: Registered at Fleetwood (FD68).
1881: Census at Fleetwood – John Leadbetter (36), b-North Meols, master; John Leadbetter (38), b-North Meols, mate; Spencer Sumner (26), b-Warton, AB; William Leadbetter (15), b-Fleetwood, AB: Robert Leadbetter (13), b-Fleetwood, cook.
22.04.1881: William Leadbetter (15) cook took a lifebelt and jumped overboard, attempting to swim to shore. The ebb tide combined with a strong wind carried him downriver until he was rescued by the crew of ANGLICAN.
24.10.1887: Sold to John Leadbetter, Fleetwood & others (John Leadbetter, managing owner).
25.10.1890: Taking advantage of a favourable breeze some thirty smacks left for the fishing grounds. The Harbour Authorities were constructing a groyne near the Lower Shore Light with piles driven in. Along with YOUNG WALKER (FD47), ROBERT and ANN (FD98) and FLEETWING (FD63) ran amongst the piles. Drove one or two piles down but FLEETWING was holed and had to put back into harbour with pumps manned.
1910: Owned by Richard Ashcroft.
1918: Sold to Thomas W. Dixon, 38 James Street, Whitehaven (managing owner).
23.2.1922: Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Whitehaven (WA16).
By1929: Thomas W. Dixon, 4 Market Place, Whitehaven.
1929: Whitehaven registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

sv Wonder FD68

sv Wonder FD68
Picture (with sv Harriet) courtesy of The David Slinger Collection.

sv Wonder FD68

sv Wonder FD68
Picture courtesy of The George Westwood Collection.

sv Wonder FD68

sv Wonder FD68
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
24/02/2009: Page published.
01/03/2015: Minor information update.
23/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.
11/06/2022: Updated information.
03/10/2022: Added an image.
24/10/2022: Added an image.
01/02/2024: Updated history.

s.v. Oyster Girl FD115

Technical

Official Number: 70157
Completed: 1874
Net Tonnage: 25
Rig: Smack
Built: ??, Plymouth

History

Smack – trawling & drifting

1874: Completed by ??. Plymouth as OYSTER GIRL.
1874: Owned by William Poole, Fleetwood. Registered at Fleetwood (FD115).
1.1.1880: Owned by William Coulburn, Fleetwood.).
10.3.1888: Sold to Thomas Leadbetter, Victoria Street, Fleetwood.
10.8.1905: Fleetwood registry closed. Broken up.

Changelog
23/02/2009: Page published. 2 updates since then.