Monthly Archives: January 2009

s.v. James Campbell FD157

Technical

Official Number: 83534
Completed: 1880
Net Tonnage: 62
Length: 65.3 ft
Breadth: 19.2 ft
Depth: 9.85 ft
Rig: Dandy
Built: T. Campbell, Grimsby

history

Dandy – trawling (ex lining)

1880: Completed by T. Campbell, Grimsby for James H. M. Fryman, Oxford Street, Grimsby as JAMES CAMPBELL.
11.1880: Registered at Grimsby (GY792).
14.10.1889: Sold to Thomas Campbell, Abbey Villa, Grimsby (managing owner).
2.1897: Abandoned to Germans for salvage services.
4.11.1898: Registered at Fleetwood (FD157).
8.2.1899: Fleetwood registry closed. Sold to Denmark. Registered at Esbjerg as IDA.

Changelog

31/01/2009: Page published.

s.v. James and Louisa FD44

Technical

Official Number: 53287
Completed: 1866
Gross Tonnage: 51
Net Tonnage: 36.03
Length: 64.5 ft
Breadth: 18.0 ft
Depth: 9.6 ft
Rig: Jigger smack – trawling
Built: ??, Grimsby

History

1866: Completed by ??, Grimsby as JAMES and LOUISA.
4.5.1866: Registered at Hull (H90).
1.1.1870: Owned by James Harding, Kingston-upon-Hull.
1.1.1875: Owned by Samuel Fern, Kingston-upon-Hull.
1.1.1880: Owned by W. Andrews, 4 Turner’s Buildings, Cogan Street, Hull.
1889: Sold to Nicholas Leadbetter, 23 Victoria St, Fleetwood & others.
18.6.1889: Registered at Fleetwood (FD44).
1891: James Richard Gibson, Fleetwood & J. D. Gibson, Fleetwood (James Richard Gibson managing owner).
1.1.1896: Owned by Robert Bradley, Layton, nr Blackpool (John D. Gibson, manager).
4.9.1908: Sold to Charles W. Pater, 31 Quay St, Whitehaven (managing owner).
9.9.1908: Fleetwood registry closed.
9.1908: Registered at Whitehaven (3/1908).
1915: Whitehaven registry closed.

Changelog
31/01/2009: Page published.
30/11/2014: Information updated.
30/11/2018: Information updated.

s.v. Irish Lily FD50

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 89009
Completed: 1887
Net Tonnage: 49.87
Gross Tonnage: 49.87
Length: 65.6 ft
Breadth: 18.2 ft
Depth: 9.25 ft
Built: Galmpton
Rig: Dandy – trawling

History

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

1887: Completed by Matthews, Galmpton for Wm. Memery, 7 Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin as IRISH LILY.
5.7.1887: Registered at Dublin (D14).
21.11.1892: In dense fog in the River Liffey. The L&NW Railway steamer VIOLET (1035grt/1880) having left the North Wall for Holyhead, collided with the smack breaking her bowsprit. In going astern VIOLET grounded on the North Bank and remained fast until a kedge was laid and she pulled off; proceeded on passage. No injuries.
5.1901: Sold to James Wright, Fleetwood & others.
5.1901: Dublin registry closed.
6.5.1901: Registered at Fleetwood (FD50).
24.7.1901: While fishing in Morecambe Bay (Sk. W. Fairclough), found a schooner’s mast afloat and sticking up above 3ft, attached to something below. Cut off about 30 foot and as far as could be ascertained the remainder sank about 16 miles SWbyS of Morecambe Bay Lightship, 18 miles from shore.
20.10.1902: Picked up the smack COMET (FD160), disabled having lost her rudder and delivered safely to Fleetwood.
6.8.1904: The annual regatta promoted by the Fleetwood Sailing Club in rain and strong winds. Entries for the open race for deep sea fishing smacks, comprised ADA (FD) (Sk. R. Blundell), HARRIETT (FD101) (Sk. H. Leadbetter), IRISH LILY (Sk. Wm. Fairclough), LIVONIA (FD65) (Sk. Wm. Bird), MARGARET (FD208) (Sk J. W. Colley), ONWARD (FD17) (Sk. J. Meadows) and RELIANCE (FD210) (Sk. Rd. Wright). The course was from the Fairway Buoy to Shell Wharf, thence to Barrow Bell Buoy, back to Shell Wharf and North-west Buoy – twice round – finishing at the flag ship opposite the ferry, a distance of 15 miles. Prize money was £15, £12, and £8. The ADA, HARRIETT and ONWARD retired from the race shortly after the start, their skippers deeming the weather too serious for the safety of their craft. RELIANCE gradually overhauled and passed the other competitors and asserted her superiority to the finish. The weather was indeed too boisterous, the smacks creaking and groaning as the force of the weather filled their sails. In these conditions, LIVONIA and IRISH LILY were forced to abandon the race, the former having lost her topmast and IRISH LILY her mainsail. Sk. Richard Wright ran the RELIANCE home to take the honours, with MARGARET some way astern to secure the second prize.
21.12.1905: Sold to John Randles, 37 Ferndale Rd, Hoylake.
2.10.1906: Arrived Holyhead Old Dock from Red Wharf (Sk. John Randles).
2.11.1906: Arrived Glasson Dock from Fleetwood (Sk. Wilson) for attention by Nicholson & Son.
31.12.1907: Tonnage altered to 24.67net. BoT Certificate of Survey dated Barrow in Furness 16.12.1907.
17.12.1909: Arrived Holyhead Old Dock from Carnarvon Bay (Sk. Bird).
3.8.1910: Sold to John Henry Collins, 39 Derwent Rd, Stretford, Nr Manchester. John H. Collins managing owner. Fishing out of Fleetwood.
2.11.1911: Arrived Glasson Dock from Fleetwood (Sk. Wilson) for docking and surveys.
8.9.1914: In Glasson Dock (Sk. Leadbetter) for attention by Nicholson & Son.
1915: Change of address. John H. Collins, 42 Park Road, Stratford, Manchester.
1918: Change of address. John H Collins “Yvoemar” Abercrombie Road, Fleetwood.
12.3.1918: Sailed Fleetwood for the fishing grounds (Sk. Walter Scott, 7 Chaucer Road, Fleetwood), two fishermen John Rimmer and John Cogdon; three crew all told.
16.3.1918: At about 9.00pm, in a very dark night, when some 30 miles off the Lune Buoy, they were about to shoot their net when the skipper heard someone shout “Hold on Jim” (meaning Rimmer). At the time the skipper was aft watching the gear and when he heard the cry he turned round and immediately heard a splash in the water on the port side. He then found that John Cogdon the other fisherman was not onboard. Way was taken off the vessel immediately and a diligent search of the area was made for three-quarters of an hour but there was no sign of Cogden. The net was hauled in but no body was seen in it. In turning in the net it fouled but it was not fouled to the skipper’s knowledge before Cogden went overboard. It would appear that the bridles took Cogdon overboard.
27.3.1918: At the inquest held at Fleetwood into the death of John Cogdon (56), 65 Milton Street, Fleetwood, Ernest Armitage of Hoylake, skipper of the Liverpool fishing smack VIGILANT (LL306), said that about 11.00am on March 17 his boat was fishing off the Lune Buoy. When they drew in the net they found in it the body of the deceased. They proceeded to Fleetwood with the body and gave information to the police. Gogden’s father-in-law, George Henry Brown, a fitter, 64 Walmsley Street, Fleetwood identified the body and stated that he was a teetotaller, in good health and had been in the smack about six or seven weeks. A verdict of “Accidentally drowned” was passed.
6.1920: Sold to Belgium.
2.7.1920: BoT approval of sale (M12867).
3.7.1920: Fleetwood registry closed “ On sale of vessel to foreigners (Belgian subjects). Advice received from owner.”

Changelog
30/01/2009: Page published.
22/11/2014: Information updated.
07/10/2022: Updated information.
06/10/2023: Information updated.

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122

Technical

Official Number: 145723
Yard Number: 776
Completed: 1923
Gross Tonnage: 299
Net Tonnage: 114
Length: 130.3 ft
Breadth: 24 ft
Depth: 12.9 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

18.1.1923: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.776) for Neale & West Ltd, Cardiff as OYAMA.
3.1923: Completed (Wilfred Neale, Morley H. Neale & Joshua S. Neale, managers). Registered at Cardiff (CF10).
1927: Morley H. Neale & Joshua S. Neale, Penarth appointed managers).
1930: Sold to Saxon Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (William W. Brierley c/o New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, manager).
11.1930: Cardiff registration closed.
12.11.1930: Registered at Fleetwood (FD122).
13.12.1930: Renamed DOROTHY LAMBERT (FD122).
1938: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (William W. Brierley c/o New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, manager).
2.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.558)(Hire rate £108.7.9d/month).
1.1941: Based Aberdeen with M/S Group 12 (Ty/Sk. G. S. Wright RNR).
3.1944: Fitted out for dan laying and assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
23.5.1944: Attached to the 15th Minesweeping Flotilla as a dan layer.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
2.1946: Returned to owner after restoration and survey at Fleetwood.
22.09.1954: Sailed Fleetwood for North Minch grounds (Sk. Arthur Peak): fourteeen crew all told.
2.10.1954: At about 8.00 pm in the North Minch having hauled her trawl in fine clear weather and light SSW breeze, decided to change grounds, fixed position as some 10 miles SE of Tiumpan Head and set course SW1/2S for Loch Boisdale; log streamed. The skipper calculated that this course would take him past Rudh Rea at a distance when abeam of 11 miles; and that he had approximately 30 miles to run to Eilean Trodda. Experienced deckhand James Connolly at the wheel and instructed by the skipper “The course is S.W.1/2 S, you are going 25 miles and you will pick up Eilean Trodda. When you pick that up, it is a two flash white light, put it fine on your port bow. In the meantime, you will see Rudh Rea. I want you to take a 4 point bearing of that. There’s 30 miles to go and 28 miles will be getting towards the danger area”. The skipper also added that he was to be informed of the distance off Rudh Rea Lighthouse when abeam and that if Trodda was not sighted at 25 miles on the log he was to be called. At an unrecorded time, when Rudh Rea was 4 points on her port bow, the mate came on the bridge and as required took a 4 point bearing. The reading was 6 1/2 miles but the time was not recorded. Again at an unrecorded time, Connolly was relieved by the bosun, James Wallbank and a young deckhand John Kenneth English was put on the wheel while he took a bearing and went to read the log which read 17 1/2 miles; English remained on the wheel until the vessel took the ground. Again these observations and time was not recorded but the skipper was informed and replied “Thats alright, carry on”. At 12.25 pm four point bearing taken on Trodda Light, log read 27 miles; skipper informed “We are abeam of Trodda 3 miles”. Skipper came on bridge and seeing Vaternish Point light on the port bow, ordered “ Put the wheel hard-a-port” then “Come to SE” and left the bridge to consult the chart. Upon his return he saw the red light of Trodda, he rang “Slow Ahead” on the engine room telegraph and gave the order “Hard-a-port” and kept it so until he had got the vessel round to a heading of N.E.1/2 N. with the object of getting back as quickly as possible on an opposite course so as to regain the white sector. he did not at that time know whether he was inside or outside the Sgeir na Maol reef. 2 minutes later the vessel took the ground, first scraping over the rocks and then coming fast being some 2 1/2 miles to westward of the courseline. W/T distress call made and rockets fired, with difficulty ships‘ boat put in water. Unsuccessful in coming off using engine. At about 3.30 pm Stornoway lifeboat arrived on scene along with a warship.
3.10.1954: At 8.00 am refloated without assistance and proceeded under own power to Fleetwood.
5.10.1954: At Fleetwood landed 135 boxes/ 20 baskets, £847 gross/£643 net.
29.3.1955: At MoT formal inquiry (No.S.430) held at Fleetwood, the Court found that the cause of the said stranding was an unexplained divergence of the vessel from her intended course due to the faulty navigation of the said vessel by her skipper, Arthur Peak, in that he failed to ensure that a certificated mariner was in charge of the bridge while the vessel was proceeding through enclosed and dangerous waters, and that he further failed to give explicit and unmistakable instructions to those left in charge on the bridge, and to satisfy himself that the instructions he did give were properly understood. Sk. Peak had been cautioned three times since 1946 for stranding ships; his ticket was suspended for twelve months. *
10.1955: Sold to Van Heyghen Freres S.A., Ghent for breaking up.
25.11.1955: Delivered Ghent.

Note * – Final observation by the Court. “In the view of the Court most if not all of the troubles of this case would have been avoided and similar troubles could be avoided in the future if two simple rules were observed. These are: (i) That orders relating to the navigation of trawlers on passage should be entered in writing in an order book; (ii) That it should be the rule in trawlers as it is in larger ships to log times of passing and distance from important landmarks passed on the passage.”

Notes
The whole stranding was a mess, it could not be ascertained whether in fact the first plotted position – 10 miles SE of Tiumpan Head was an accurate fix, so they may have been heading for trouble from the start. Bosun held no ticket, nor had he ever fished in the North Minch; the boat was seized in the chocks and plug was not fitted properly; rockets were damp and would not light.

BOT report on the stranding

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122 by Steve Farrow

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122 by Steve Farrow

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122

S.T. Dorothy Lambert FD122
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Changelog
30/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
17/05/2015: Information updated.
05/10/2015: Information updated.
03/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.

S.T. James Lay FD189

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4222
Official Number: 143834
Yard Number: 5
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 278
Net Tonnage: 121
Length: 125.0 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Fletcher, Son & Fearnall Ltd, Limehouse, London
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Fraser & Chalmers Ltd, Erith

History

1918: Launched by Fletcher, Son & Fearnall Ltd, Limehouse (Yd.No.5) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES LAY (Ad.No.4222).
4.11.1918: Completed (1-12pdr).
15.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as JAMES LAY O.N.143834.
19.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO333).
1920: Sold to Sir William Beardmore, Bart, Glasgow (Charles Curzon, Milford Haven, manager).
1.1921: Sir William Beardmore, Bart was raised to the peerage in the New Year’s Honours List and became Lord Invernairn of Strathnairn (Charles Curzon, Milford Haven, manager).
24.9.1925: While fishing 50 miles W by S1/2 S from St. Ann’s Head and working round a dahn, struck by THOMAS HANKINS (LO372) on the port side, sustaining damage to after gallows and shell plates.
3.1930: After landing from a Rockall trip, coaled and iced, while laying outside Wyre Dock and prepared for sea, sprang a leak, towed to sandbank and beached. Repaired and returned to service.
1931: Transferred to Hull.
12.1.1932: In thick fog stranded on Filey High Brig. Kedge anchors laid out but attempt to refloat at 7.30 pm failed. Later a southerly gale sprang up and crew evacuated over bow and rocks to safety.
13.1.1932: Two crew and locals returned onboard. At 7.00 am. came afloat without assistance, initially men taken off by lifeboat but crew returned and anchored Filey Bay to check round before proceeding to Hull.
1935: Insured value £5,000.
9.4.1936: Lord Invernairn died. Ownership transferred to his Executors – Alexander B. MacDuff, & Alexander M. Mitchell, Glasgow and Lady Invernairn, Flichity, Inverness.
1938: Sold to Mills Steam Ship Co Ltd, London.
25.7.1939: Insured value £5,000.
9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.667) (Hire rate £83.8.0d/month).
19.5.1940: Sailed Harwich (Sk. W. H. Makings RNR) escorted by HM Destroyer JAGUAR (Lt Cdr. J. F. Hine RN)(P.No.F34) and HM Patrol Sloop PUFFIN (Lt Cdr. Earl Beatty RN)(P.No.L52) accompanied by HM M/S Trawlers, CAPE MELVILLE (Ty/Sk. J.E. C. Wright RNR)(P.No.FY651) (H150), GRAMPIAN (Ch. Sk. A. Robb RNR)(P.No.FY546) (H502), MILFORD QUEEN (Ty/Sk. F. Burgess RNR) (P.No.FY615) (M225), MILFORD PRINCESS (Ty/Sk. J. W. Cook RNR)(P.No.FY616) (M228) and PELTON (Sk. J. A. Sutherland DSC RNR)(H288), engaged in Operation Quixote (to creep and cut telephone cables between Lowestoft, Bacton, Mundesley and Borkum and Nordeney, Germany).
28.5.1940: Operation completed.
15.1.1942: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (Geoffrey Edwards Marr, manager) for £8625.
1944: Fitted out for dan laying and assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
23.5.1944: Attached to the 15th Minesweeping Flotilla as a dan layer.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
10.1944: Returned to owner.
3.1945: Reclassed at Hull.
30.11.1945: Insured value £18,500; for 1946 proposed same.
11.3.1946: Sold to Dinas Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood for £19,000. Registered at Fleetwood (FD189).
23.4.1954: Last landing at Fleetwood. 338 boxes 40 baskets, £1382 gross.
5.1954: Sold to Haven Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (Robert Lewis, manager).
13.12.1959: Last landing at Milford. Laid up.
1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
16.3.1960: Delivered to Briton Ferry under own power from Milford Haven.

(James Lay, Landsman, age 24, b. Peckham, London – VICTORY (SB312))

Click to enlarge images

S.T. James Lay LO333

S.T. James Lay LO333
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. James Lay FD189

S.T. James Lay FD189
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. James Lay LO333

S.T. James Lay LO333
Picture courtesy of The Bill Blow Collection

S.T. James Lay LO333

S.T. James Lay LO333
Picture courtesy of The Bill Blow Collection

S.T. James Lay FD189

S.T. James Lay FD189
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

Changelog
29/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
21/07/2015: Information updated.
25/08/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermarks.
15/02/2021: Updated history and technical details.