Monthly Archives: January 2009

S.T. Wyre Corsair FD287

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4410
Official Number: 143516
Yard Number: 426
Completed: 1920
Gross Tonnage: 282
Net Tonnage: 110
Length: 128.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

Note: Originally ordered by The Admiralty (Ad.No.4410) as a “Castle” class to be named RICHARD BANE but cancelled.

23.3.1920: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.426) for Neale & West Ltd, Cardiff as KYOTO.
9.1920: Registered at Cardiff (CF65).
9.1920: Completed. Wilfred Neale, Morley H. Neale & Joshua S. Neale appointed managers.
12.1929: Sold to Hakin Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Joseph S. Pettit, Frederick Steer, Horace S. Fiddy, Milford & Joseph B. B. Huddlestone, Hakin) (Joseph B. B. Huddleston, manager).
12.1929: Cardiff registry closed.
16.12.1929: Registered at Milford (M50).
15.3.1937: Sold to Westward Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (Edgar E. Carter & Richard S. Bowen, Port Talbot) (Edgar. E. Carter, manager).
18.5.1938: Registered at Milford as RUDILAIS (M50).
5.10.1938: Sailed Milford for fishing grounds (Sk.John F. Jones). WNW strong wind went to anchor in Dale Bay.
6.10.1938: Swinging collided with SHAMA (M223), causing damage.
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £91.13.0d/month).
30.9.1939: Last landing at Milford.
4.1.1940: Returned.
1.10.1940: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minesweeping duties (P.No.FY.528).
12.1945: Returned.
10.1948: Sold to Wyre Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd, managers).
8.11.1948: Milford registry closed.
11.1948: Registered at Fleetwood as WYRE CORSAIR (FD287).
8.1.1949: Sheltering in West Loch Roag, Isle of Lewis in gale force winds, dragged anchor and stranded. Gale gusting 60mph, came afloat and shifted position to anchor.
10.1.1949: At about 5.00 p.m. dragged anchor and stranded again; crew of thirteen rescued by breeches-buoy after Stornoway lifeboat had put a line onboard.
12.1.1949: Refloated by Clyde tug FLYING FALCON (283grt/1934) and delivered Stornoway.
1954: Transferred to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (Leslie Wheildon, manager) on purchase of Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd by Associated Fisheries Group.
1956: Sold to B. J. Nijkerk S.A., Antwerp for breaking up.
19.4.1956: Sailed Fleetwood for Antwerp.

(Richard Bane, Midshipman, age 21, b. Norfolk – DREADNOUGHT (ex ROYAL SOVEREIGN)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Wyre Corsair FD287

S.T. Wyre Corsair FD287
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Wyre Corsair FD287

S.T. Wyre Corsair FD287
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
27/02/2017 Images added.
31/08/2019: Removed incorrect image.
17/08/2021: Updated technical details.

S.T. Wyre Colonel FD77

Technical

Admitalty Number: 3669.
Official Number: 144279
Yard Number: 349
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 105
LengthL 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Paisley
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Paisley

History

17.11.1917: Launched by Bow, McLachlan & Co Ltd, Paisley (Yd.No.349) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as WILLIAM CUMMINS(Ad.No.3669).
29.11.1917: Completed as a minesweeper (1-12pdr).
1920: Allocated to the National Fishery Scheme for the setting up of the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
13.8.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
24.8.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I & IV) O.N.144279 (LO454).
11.1920: At HM Dockyard, Portsmouth fitted out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler at Portsmouth.
01.1922: Scheme abandoned, the necessary working capital of £100,000 having not been subscribed. Laid up.
10.1922: Advertised for sale.
11.1924: Sold to Société Anonyme Armement Ostendais, Ostend.
5.11.1924: London registry closed.
11.1924: Registered at Ostend as ERNEST SOLVAY (O160).
11.1929: Landing at Fleetwood.
1939: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
21.4.1939: Registered at Hull as NIBLICK (H80).
1940: Fishing from Fleetwood.
3.6.1940: At Hull last landing before requisitioning. Faroe trip, 16 days – 431kits £880 gross.
5.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (Hire rate £80.10.0d/month).
10.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper.
4.1944: Fitted out as a dan layer 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.
8.1945: Returned after survey and restoration at Liverpool.
7.1945: Sold to The Wyre Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd, managers).
26.7.1945: Registered at Fleetwood (FD77).
4.12.1948: Registered at Fleetwood as WYRE COLONEL (FD77).
02.1952: On his first trip as skipper (Sk. Alan Day) Propeller fouled by warp. Wyre Corsair (Sk. Jack Kelly) connected, despite gale warnings, for the 300 mile tow back to Fleetwood, arriving on 15.02.1952.
1954: Transferred to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (Leslie Wheildon, manager) on purchase of Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd by Associated Fisheries Group.
1956: Sold to Hammond Lane Foundry Ltd, Dublin for breaking up.
11.12.1956: Arrived Dublin from Fleetwood under own power.
25.1.1957: Fleetwood registry closed.
(William Cummins, Private, Marine, age ?, b. ? – VICTORY (ML108))

Click to enlarge images

HMT Niblick

HMT Niblick
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Wyre Colonel FD77

S.T. Wyre Colonel FD77
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S,T. Wyre Colonel FD77

S,T. Wyre Colonel FD77
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Wyre Colonel FD77

S.T. Wyre Colonel FD77
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
28/10/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
25/06/2021: Updated history and technical details.
15/05/2023: Added an image.
18/08/2024: Added information.

S.T. Capstone FD78

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson and Barry Johnson Milford Trawlers

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3159
Official Number: 143847
Yard Number: 698
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet.
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.3 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Southbank-on-Tees
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Hebburn-on-Tyne
Armament: 1 x 12 pdr

History

19.2.1917: Laid down.
6.6.1917: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.698) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as JAMES ROBERTSON (Ad.No.3159).
12.7.1917: Completed (1-12pdr, hydrophone and W/T).
19.11.1919: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) as JAMES ROBERTSON O.N.143847.
19.2.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO331).
3.1920: Transferred to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries and engaged in commercial trawling (one of 36 vessels transferred).
1.4.1920 – 12.12.1921: Landing at Milford.
1921: Sold to David Pettit, Hakin.
1921: Sold to D. Pettit Ltd, Milford Haven (David Pettit, Hakin, manager).
19.12.1921: London registry closed.
21.12.1921: Registered at Milford (M243).
1.1922: Registered at Milford as CAPSTONE (M243).
28.3.1923: At Milford landed crew of French schooner MADELON destroyed by fire 70 miles WNW of Bishops Rock whilst on passage Fécamp towards Newfoundland.
3.5.1925: Fishing 140 miles NW by N of Bull Rock went to assistance of COTSMUIR (M244) disabled with broken tailshaft. Connected and towed to Milford.
6.5.1925: Arrived Milford.
30.10.1932: Damaged propeller on underwater object. CLYRO (M425) connected and towed to Milford.
17.11.1933: Fishing 25 miles W of Smalls in E fresh gale, hauled to go to assistance of Whitehaven steam coaster HOLME FORCE (1216g/1930) in light condition Brest for Fleetwood, in distress having lost propeller on previous night off Bishops Rock. With difficulty connected and commenced tow to Milford.
18.11.1933: Arrived Milford. Subsequently awarded £1000 salvage money.
1934: Mrs Elizabeth A. H. Pettit appointed manager.
25.10.1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys appointed manager.
29.1.1935: Returned to Fleetwood with storm damage sustained 80 miles off Northern Ireland coast when knocked on beam ends and slack bunkers shifted (Sk. Charles Seeling). Damage included wheelhouse windows broken, lifeboat lost, all moveable fittings including fishing gear swept away, WT and aerials damaged, put out all fires apart from main furnace and flooded cabins.
13.4.1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Basil A, Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde appointed manager.
2.5.1938: Milford registry closed.
3.5.1938: Registered at Hull (H522).
30.5.1940: At Hull last landing before requisitioning. Faroe trip, 13 days – 418kits £826 gross.
1.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No.FY1555) and also employed on auxiliary patrol (P.No.4.174) (Hire rate £80.4.2d/month).
20.6.1941: Shot down a German bomber (Sk. A. E. Rudd RNR).
9.1941: Employed minesweeping.
10.1945: Returned and re-classed at Liverpool (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager).
7.1945: Sold to The Wyre Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd, managers).
7.1945: Hull registry closed.
26.7.1945: Registered at Fleetwood (FD78).
2.1947: On a trip to the Porcupine Bank ground SW of Ireland (Sk. James Harper).
10.2.1947: In the early morning in heavy seas and high wind started to ship large amounts of water and failing to clear quickly entered below deck. With steam pumps inoperative manned the hand pumps and sounded distress with siren. Steam trawler RICHARD CROFTS (LO365) (Sk. Bobby Kettle) nearby, responded and stood by prepared to recover the crew if necessary, but the skippers decided to make for Castetownbere, Co. Cork just over 100 miles away.
11.2.1947: Arrived Castletownbere safely with RICHARD CROFTS in attendance.
23.12.1948: Registered at Fleetwood as WYRE CAPTAIN (FD78).
1954: Transferred to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (Leslie Wheildon, manager) on purchase of Merchants (Fleetwood) Ltd by Associated Fisheries Group.
1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
15.9.1960: Delivered Barrow-in-Furness from Fleetwood under own power.

(James Robertson, Quartergunner, age 37, b. Hardwick, Vermont, America – ROYAL SOVEREIGN (SB114)) OR James Robertson, Midshipman, age 22, b. Stornoway, Isle of Lewis – VICTORY

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Wyre Captain FD78

S.T. Wyre Captain FD78
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
24/09/2003: Page published. 3 updates since then.
25/02/2015: Information updated.
30/12/2015: Information updated.
28/10/2019: Information updated.

S.T. Urka FD289

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 139218
Yard Number: 174
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 249
Net Tonnage: 96
Length: 123.2 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 11.6 ft
Built by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole
Engine: 82nhp T.3-cyl by Wm. Beardmore & Co Ltd, Glasgow

History

1916: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.174) for The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as URKA.
2.3.1917: Registered at Fleetwood (FD289).
2.1917: Completed. Joseph A. Taylor & Ernest Tomlinson designated managers.
3.1917: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.3328). Northern Patrol.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
1924: William W. Brierley designated manager.
5.1940: On the fishing grounds gutting, cap tally HMS SHARPSHOOTER (P.No.J68) found in a skate.
11.5.1943: Typical wartime landing, home waters. 660 kits – hake-550, flats-10, ling/coley-100.
30.5.1946: Homeward from fishing grounds in fog and rain (Sk. Herbert Bagley). In the morning off Mull of Galloway at full speed, struck a rock setting up her forefoot, buckling stem bar and shell plating to starboard and springing several rivets; making a considerable amount of water in the forepeak. Pumps in action and crew baling with buckets to assist. Eight hours later arrived Fleetwood, additional pumps deployed and tug on standby.
31.5.1946: Cleared of water landed 706 boxes and slipped for repairs.
11.6.1947: On Icelandic grounds off east coast (Sk. Harold Brunton) fishing alongside LOCH HOPE (H220) which on hauling brought alongside mine which exploded killing one man and injuring others. Closed and took onboard seventeen survivors (including eight injured) and landed at Seydisfjordur. Three injured too poorly to be moved, remaining five flown to hospital in Reykjavik. Thirteen crew returned to Hull in the trawler JUPITER.
2.1951: Entering Stornoway (Sk. Fred Day) had steering gear failure and in collision at the mouth of Ghlumaig Bay with loaded coal hulk PORTUGAL (1294grt/1899) which foundered in position bearing 318°, 0.575 miles from Arnish Point Light. Suffered damage to forefoot and adjacent shell plates. Repaired at Fleetwood.
1953: M. A. Munby designated manager.
17.7.1956: Sold to Alvis Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. William Newton designated manager.
27.6.1960: Last landing at Fleetwood, 13 days £946 gross. Gross for year £15,739.
7.1960: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking at Barrow.
9.8.1960: Sailed Fleetwood for Barrow-in-Furness under own power .
10.8.1960: Delivered. Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Urka FD289

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T. Urka FD289

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Urka FD289

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture © Mike Helm

S.T. Urka FD289

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Urka FD289

S.T. Urka FD289
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
26/11/2020: Updated history and added an image.
27/11/2020: Further update to history.
24/09/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Transvaal FD381

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall
Technical

Official Number: 138979
Yard Number: 658
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 250
Net Tonnage: 119
Length: 125.3 ft
Breadth: 22.5 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

9.12.1915: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.658) for Henry L. Taylor & Staff, Grimsby as TRANSVAAL.
9.8.1916: Registered at Grimsby (GY953).
15.8.1916: Completed (Henry L. Taylor, manager). Requisitioned by The Admiralty from the builders and fitted out as mine sweeper (1-12pdr, 1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.3307). Based Peterhead.
12.7.1917: Arrived on the fishing grounds (Lieut W.E. Dawson RNR), escorting the Fraserburgh fleet. At 6.00pm. heard gunfire and discovered a submarine attacking the sailing drifters SPIDER (BF279) and SURPRISE (BF2008). At 7.10pm. engaged with 12pdr and 6 pdr and pursued. Submarine dived and at 7.20pm. depth charges dropped. At 8.00 pm. joined by HM Drifter CLOVER (BF323) (Ad.No.4329) but submarine escaped.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby (Henry L. Taylor, manager).
12.1919: Sold to Henry L. Taylor & H. G. Hopwood, Grimsby.
12.1919: Sold to Melville Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood. (Herbert M. Johns, manager).
26.10.1920: Grimsby registry closed.
27.10.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (FD381).
26.11.1923: Sold to The Transvaal Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
2.12.1935: Went to assistance of steam trawler CAVE (H643) which had run aground entering Stornoway harbour. Connected, refloated and assisted to berth.
1.12.1939: Requisitioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties (magnetic)(Hire rate £70.16.8d/month).
20.1.1940: Returned.
9.6.1941: Sold to Basil A. Parkes, Fleetwood.
1.12.1941: Sold to The Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
11.8.1942: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out as a fuelling trawler(Esso) (33ton tank for refuelling diesel landing craft) (P.No.Y.7.45). Mediterranean Command.
6.1944: Operation Neptune-Normandy landings. Assigned as a fuelling trawler to Force O.
18.11.1944: Foundered in English Channel in severe weather conditions (Off hire 17.11.1944). All crew MPK.
14.12.1945: Fleetwood registry closed. (CHR has some anomalies in dates).

(MPK – Ty/Sk.Thomas Threlfall RNR; Herbert W. Cook, 2nd Hand; Dennis Reaney & Laurence J. Smith, Enginemen; William Hamblett, George T. King, James McCourt, John E. Pharaoh, Joseph C. Vorley, Eric Walker, Herbert D. Ward & James Watson, seamen; Jack Edwards, Alfred Lloyd & Joseph Skayman, stokers; Alexander Smith, Ldg Cook; Thomas P. Kelly, Signalman; James J.Rogers Ord. Telegraphist.)

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Transvaal FD381

S.T. Transvaal FD381

Changelog
24/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
28/07/2016: Information added.
10/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.