Monthly Archives: January 2009

S.D/T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29 (Seasonal)

Copyright 2010 © by Barry Banham for FMHT.

Technical

Official Number: 161629
Yard Number: 616
Pennant Number: FY.1504
Completed: 1929
Gross Tonnage: 131
Net Tonnage: 56
Length: 94.3 ft
Breadth: 20.1 ft
Depth: 9.7 ft
Engine: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

9.5.1929: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.616) for Bloomfield’s Ltd, Gt Yarmouth as OCEAN LIFEBUOY.
6.1929: Completed (Neil Mackay, manager).
6.6.1929: Registered at Yarmouth (YH29).
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agent).
7.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service and employed on port duties (Hire rate £70.4.11d/month).
29.11.1939: Converted for minesweeping (P.No.FY.1504).
1942: Transferred to Bloomfield’s Ltd, Fleetwood management.
26.1.1946: Returned. Transferred to Bloomfield’s Ltd, Gt Yarmouth.
1950s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood.
21.10.1953: Landed 301.25 crans of herring at Yarmouth after transferring 16 nets to UTOPIA (BF531) which contained 62 crans.
1953: Runner up in Prunier Trophy. (Throughout her career one of Yarmouth’s most successful herring catchers).
31.12.1954: Sold to W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd, Milford Haven (William H. Kerr, manager).
8.3.1956: Registered at Yarmouth as DEELITE (YH29).
1958: Re-engined with 2 stroke 5-cyl 360bhp oil engine by Crossley Bros Ltd, Manchester.
10.1971: Fishing off Irish Coast (Sk. Bill Phillips) suffered main engine failure. CONSTANT STAR (M133) fouled her propeller in attempting to connect. Subsequently towed to Milford by PICTON SEA LION (M22).
7.1973: Sold to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
23.7.1973: Sailed Milford for Briton Ferry in tow of WILLING BOYS (LT737).
10.9.1973: Breaking up completed. Yarmouth registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29

S.T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

S.T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29

S.T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

S.D/T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29

S.D/T. Ocean Lifebuoy YH29
Picture from The Internet

M.D/T. Deelite YH29

M.D/T. Deelite YH29
Picture courtesy of The Ashley Gardner Collection

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
10/03/2015: Picture added.
23/02/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from images.

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

Technical

Official Number: 165341
Yard Number: 550
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 255
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Weser, Bremen

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
1936: Launched by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Weser, Bremen.
9.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.550) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN FOAM.
14.9.1936: Registered at London (LO153). Operating out of Fleetwood Edward D. W. Lawford designated manager.
8.10.1936: First landing at Fleetwood, 1137 boxes grossed £550.
20.9.1937: Last landing at Fleetwood, 890 boxes grossed £845.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London. H. Markham Cook, Grimsby designated manager.
29.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (P.No.4.76) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
1942: Fitted out as an anti-submarine trawler.
5.1943: Escorting convoy ONS-5, North Atlantic, as a rescue trawler in Group EG.B7. Convoy attacked by U.boats, picked up over two hundred survivors.
9.1943: Escorting convoy ON-202, North Atlantic, as a rescue trawler. In fog, sighted U.boat (U952) on surface, attempted to ram but crash dived; depth charged. Submarine identified NORTHERN FOAM and knew that he could escape on the surface with his superior speed. On surfacing exchanged shots but quickly drew away. Rescued survivors from three torpedoed mechantmen, FORT JEMSEG (7134grt/1942), SKJELBRED,(5096grt/1937), and OREGON EXPRESS (3642grt/1933).
1944: Assigned to Operation Neptune – Normandy landings.
23.5.1944: Convoy escort duties in British waters and across the Channel in support of landings.
3.7.1944: Operation Neptune ended.
1945: Employed as ocean escort vessel.
11.1945: Remeasured 620g 255n.
30.11.1945: Returned after survey and restoration at Birkenhead. Laid up at Birkenhead.
1946: To Grimsby.
7.1947: London registry closed.
7.1947: Registered at Grimsby (GY490).
6.1950: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
6.1950: Remeasured 620g 238n.
1953: Made two trips to Greenland fishery.
Pre 1959: John Bennett designated manager.
27.1.1960: Connected to SLETNES (GY526), disabled 60 miles from Aberdeen with engine trouble.
29.1.1960: Delivered Aberdeen.
Pre 1963: John A. Butt designated manager.
10.1963: Sold to Clayton & Davie Ltd, Dunston-on-Tyne for breaking up.
17.10.1963: Arrived Tyne from Grimsby in tow of ERIMUS CROSS (192grt/1960).

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture © John Clarkson

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture from The Internet

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture courtesy of Davie Tait (TPF)

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Northern Foam LO153

S.T. Northern Foam LO153
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
22/07/2014: Picture 3 added.
17/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks and added an image.
11/12/2018: Updated information.

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

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14 as HMT Agate

S.T. Mavis Rose FD14 as HMT Agate

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

S.T. Marsona FD21
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Marsona FD21

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.T. Faithful Star LT323

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

S.T. Faithful Star LT323

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

S.D/T. Faithful Star LT323

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

S.T. Faithful Star LT323

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

S.T. Faithful Star LT323

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

M.T. Faithful Star LT323

M.T. Faithful Star LT323
Picture from the Internet

M.T. Faithful Star LT323

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.