Monthly Archives: January 2009

S.T. Othello FD389

In Fleetwood (Wyre Trawlers Ltd) ownership. Did not fish from the port.
Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson and Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 164424
Yard Number: 1180
Completed: 1937
Gross Tonnage: 516.38
Net Tonnage: 284.80
Length: 173.2 ft
Breadth: 28.6 ft
Depth: 14.7 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 1050ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

Last coal fired trawler to operate out of Hull

27.2.1937: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1180) for Earl Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as Le TIGER.
30.4.1937: Registered at Grimsby (GY398).
30.4.1937: Sir Alec Black, Bart appointed manager.
4.5.1937: Completed.
6.5.1937: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
13.8.1938: Mortgage (A) discharged.
16.8.1938: Sold to Hellyer’s Fishing Co (Grimsby) Ltd (64/64), Grimsby for £100. (but in Hellyer’s Ledger purchase for £28,500).
16.8.1938: Owen Stooks Hellyer appointed manager.
7.12.1938: Sold to Earl Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby for £28,500.
9.12.1939: Sir Alec Black, Bart appointed manager.
15.12.1939: Sold to The Admiralty for £30,231.
5.1.1940: Grimsby registry closed. Fitted out as an anti-submarine trawler (1-4”, AA weapons, ASDIC, DC)(P.No.FY.243).
24.11.1940: Rescued crew of HMS AMETHYST (P.No.T.12) (433grt/1934) mined (acoustic) in Thames estuary.
3.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy.
3.7.1942: Off US Eastern seaboard (Ty/Lt C A Hoodless RNR). Escorting convoy BX-27, rescued 31 survivors from the American Liberty steamer ALEXANDER MACOMB (7191grt/1942) which had been torpedoed and sunk by U-boat (U.215). Later that day approx. 300 miles east of Boston and 125 miles south of Nova Scotia carried out depth charge attack on U-boat (U.215) sinking her in position 41.48N 66.38; no survivors.
10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy.
2.1943: Based South Africa on escort duties.
1945: The Admiralty set up a scheme to enable companies to buy back vessels purchased. Due to Earl Steam Fishing Co Ltd being in voluntary liquidation allocated to Loyal Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby.
20.10.1945: A Control Committee was formed to manage Hull and Grimsby trawlers which were being offered by the Admiralty for sale back to their original owners. The owners who were allocated these vessels and wanted to take part in the scheme agreed to register the trawlers under the Hull Ice Co. Ltd and profits were shared. Management of the trawlers was given to the companies which had bought them.
10.1945: Sold to Hull Ice Co Ltd, Hull.
31.7.1946: Re-classed. Registered at Grimsby (GY312) to the Hull Ice Co Ltd (64/64), Hull. Albert Wright Butt, Grimsby appointed manager.
16.11.1946: Sold to The Loyal Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
18.11.1946: Albert Wright Butt, Grimsby appointed manager.
8.7.1947: Registered at Grimsby as REGAL (GY312) (MoT Minute RG.No.1260/1947 dated 1.7.1947).
9.9.1948: Sold to Devon Fishing Co Ltd, Hull.
14.9.1948: Grimsby registry closed.
14.9.1948: Mark Hellyer & Graham Hellyer appointed managers.
4.10.1948: Registered at Hull as OTHELLO (H581).
7.11.1952: Sold to Hellyer Bros. Ltd, Hull. Mark Hellyer & Graham Hellyer appointed managers.
25.6.1953: Off the Norway coast (Sk. Norman Longthorp). At 4.30am. stranded on rocks in position 68.50N 15.00E. Worked engine and came afloat at 7.00am. and proceeded Harstad for inspection. At Harstad put in Kaarby’s Shipyard drydock. Lower part of stem and keel broken and beat in from 9ft draught mark to frame No.15. No.1 plate on both sides in ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ strakes broken and bent in forepart – forepeak full of water, but both bulkheads tight. No other damage to shell plating, rudder or propeller.
28.01.1953: Surveyed by Lloyd’s agent appointed surveyor. Temporary repairs effected by taking away all damaged parts of stem, keel and plates. New 1/4” plates bent and adjusted over surface of damage and welded to shell plates both sides. Forepeak filled with concrete up to 2ft above the fracture. Vessel refloated and proved tight and pumps working satisfactorily. “Vessel is considered to be in good seaworthy condition and trim to proceed to England with her cargo of fish.” At noon sailed for Hull.
28.6.1962: Sailed Hull for Iceland (Sk. A. Clarkson).
17.6.1962: At Hull, last landing 1,559 kits grossed £5,035. Laid up.
1963: To be sold to Wyre Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
1963: Allocated Fleetwood PLN (FD389).
1963: As a result of defects found on survey at Hull, considered uneconomical to rectify (never moved to Fleetwood).
4.1963: Sold to Van Heighten Freres S.A., Ghent for £3,043.
9.4.1963: Delivered Ghent for breaking up.
19.4.1963: Hull Registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

HMT Le Tiger

HMT Le Tiger

S.T. Othello FD389

S.T. Le Tiger GY398
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Othello FD389

S.T. Othello H581
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Othello H581

S.T. Othello H581
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Othello H581

S.T. Othello H581
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
28/02/2016: Information added.
10/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
02/10/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Northern Gem LO109

Technical

Official Number: 164666
Yard Number: 546
Completed: July 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 254
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 Seebeck, Wesermünde,

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
6.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.546) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN GEM.
22.6.1936: Registered at London (LO109). Operating out of Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
15.7.1936: First landing at Fleetwood from Iceland, 940 kits 40 baskets – 941 boxes £884 gross.
29.9.1937: Last landing at Fleetwood, 990 boxes £689 gross.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (Henry Markham Cook, manager).
8.1939: Landed at Grimsby prior to survey and Admiralty trials.
9.1939: Sold to The Admiralty (£32,963) and fitted out as an anti-submarine trawler (P.No.FY.194).
21.9.1939: Ch. Sk. Laurence Frederick Scarlett DSC RD RNR appointed CO.
11.3.1940: London registry closed.
1940: Northern patrol based at Kirkwall.
4/5.1940: Norwegian Campaign. Also NORTHERN DAWN (P.No.FY.146), NORTHERN SPRAY (P.No.FY.146) and NORTHERN WAVE (FY.153). The last ship out of Narvik.
21.8.1940: Sk. Lieut. William John Valentine Mullender DSC RNR appointed CO.
1941: Transferred to Iceland Command.
From 8.1941: Convoy escort duties Russian convoys.
27.6 – 4.7.1942: Escorting convoy PQ17 – Reykjavik – Murmansk/Archangel.
12.1942: Sk. Horace Charles Aisthorpe RNR appointed CO.
22.12.1942: Sailed Loch Ewe escorting convoy JW-51B – Loch Ewe – Kola Inlet.
31.12.1942: Convoy attacked by German surface forces. At 11.15 am. destroyer HMS ACHATES (P.No.H12) (Lt Cdr. A. H. T. Johns RN) laying smokescreen to protect convey hit by shells from German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER. At 1.30pm. 135nm ESE of Bear Island ACHATES foundered 73.18N 30.06E. Rescued 81 survivors, unfortunately one died onboard.
14.4.1943: Act/Sk. Lieut. Walter Charles King RNR appointed CO.
21.4.1943: Convoy ONS-5 sailed Liverpool for Halifax, NS.
29.4.1943: American steamer McKEESPORT (6198grt/1919) (Capt Oscar John Lohr) torpedoed in North Atlantic (60.52N 34.20W) by U-boat (U258). On scene and picked up 68 survivors.
8.5.1943: Landed 67 survivors at Saint John, NB, one died of exposure on route.
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.
20.10.1945: A Control Committee was formed to manage Hull and Grimsby trawlers which had been bought by the Admiralty pre war and were being offered for sale back by Admiralty Deal to their original owners. The owners who bought back these vessels and wanted to take part in the scheme agreed to register the trawlers under the Hull Ice Co. Ltd and profits were shared. Management of the trawlers was given to the companies which had bought them.
30.11.1945: Returned.
11.1945: Repurchased from the Admiralty through the Hull Ice Co Ltd, Hull Control Committee (Admiralty Deal) allocated to the Northern & Shire Group (taking into account the 3 trawlers lost by Shire) paid for by 4 instalments – Total £23,062.
2.1946: Refurbished and surveyed at Liverpool.
2.1946: Remeasured 620g 254n.
26.2.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY204).
1.11.1946: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (William Arthur Bennett, Grimsby, manager).
3.1948: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
3.1948: Remeasured 620g 238n.
1953: Made one trip to Greenland fishery.
Pre 1959: John Bennett appointed manager.
24.2.1960: John Arthur Butt appointed manager.
6.1966: Sold to Scrappingco S.r.l, Antwerp for breaking up.
15.6.1966: Delivered Antwerp.
27.6.1966: Grimsby registry closed.

PDF Document The Perils Of U-boat Alley

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Northern Gem LO109

S.T. Northern Gem LO109
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Northern Gem LO109

S.T. Northern Gem LO109
Picture from The Osta Collection

HMT Northern Gem

HMT Northern Gem leaving harbour at Hvalfjord, Iceland
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

Northern Gem GY204

Northern Gem GY204
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Northern Gem LO109

S.T. Northern Gem GY204
Picture from the Internet.

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
21/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
30/06/2021: Updated information.

S.T. Dania FD22

Technical

Official Number: 120474
Yard Number: 758
Completed: 1904
Gross Tonnage: 196
Net Tonnage: 74
Length: 115.2 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by MacColl & Pollock Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields

History

11.1904: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.758) for George H. D. Birt, Milford Haven (managing owner) as DANIA.
11.1904: Registered at London (LO187).
11.1904: Completed.
7.1905: Off the Spanish coast in storm force conditions (Sk. Joseph Huddlestone), William Shepherd (23), bosun, washed overboard and drowned.
21.7.1908: Sold to Harley & Miller Ltd, Liverpool (Robert Harley, manager).
24.3.1917: Sold to The Croston Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Ernest Taylor, manager).
3.1917: At Fleetwood. Fitted with Nordenfelt 6pdr gun (No.268); compliment increased by two gunners.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released.
21.2.1919: London registry closed.
24.2.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD22).
1924: William W. Brierley appointed manager.
1.2.1927: Sk. H. Buckley was fined £20 plus costs at Bangor for trawling within the limits off the Anglesey coast.
1936: Sold to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
1937: Delivered Preston.
13.12.1937: Fleetwood registry closed. Breaking up completed.

click to enlarge images

S.T. Dania FD22

S.T. Dania FD22
Picture from the Internet (shipsnostalgia.com)

S.T. Dania FD22

S.T. Dania FD22
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Dania FD22

S.T. Dania FD22
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Dania FD22

Rachael (background) Redwing (foreground)
Hercules (alongside)
Dania (outboard)
Picture courtesy of The Bill Blow Collection

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
29/01/2016: Picture added.
06/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
30/09/2020: Added an image.

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall
Technical

Official Number: 139783
Yard Number: 710
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 207
Net Tonnage: 79
Length: 117.7 ft
Breadth: 22.2 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by J. Abernethy & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

5.2.1916: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.710) for Richard Watson Lewis, Aberdeen as KATE LEWIS.
7.8.1916: Completed. Richard Watson Lewis designated manager.
8.1916: Sold to The Admiralty and fitted out as a minesweeper and later a minelayer (Ad.No.2975).
17.10.1916: Registered at Aberdeen (A620).
20.2.1919: Laid in upper dock at Aberdeen awaiting restoration as a fishing vessel.
28.1.1920: Aberdeen registry closed.
1.4.1920: Recommissioned at Sheerness for duties with Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness part of the torpedo school HMS VERNON.
1920: Attached to HMS VERNON employed as a tender on minelaying trials.
4.8.1920: Arrived Harwich.
17.3.1921: Sailed Chatham for Guernsey.
19.3.1921: Arrived Guernsey.
4.11.1921: At Dover participated in trials with HMS THRUSTER (P.No.F76) tender to Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness.
18.1.1922: Employed in mining work directed by to Actaeon Torpedo School at Sheerness. Paid off into C&M at Sheerness pending decision of The Admiralty to mine training. Remains attached to Actaeon ready to complete full complement if required.
8.6.1922: 8.6.1922: To be towed to Portsmouth at first opportunity. To be attached to HMS VERNON employed as a tender on minelaying trials but not manned, crew as required to be drawn from other tenders or services.
1935: Transferred to Mediterranean Station.
1.9.1936: Arrived Portsmouth from Alexandria.
8.9.1936: Paid off to reserve.
30.10.1936: The Lords Commissioners of The Admiralty in a memo to the Privy Council stated that the accommodation in the trawlers VERNON and KATE LEWIS at all times falls below the recognised naval standard to the discomfort of the personnel on board. Recommended that hard-lying money at half rates should be paid to the officers and ratings on board those trawlers. The Privy Council approved the recommendation.
26.1.1939: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
2.1939: Arrived Fleetwood from Portsmouth.
10.2.1939: Arrived Glasson Dock.
4.1939: After dry docking by Nicholsons (Glasson Dock) Ltd, completed refit by James Robertson & Sons Ltd, Fleetwood and reclassified as a steam trawler at Fleetwood.
2. – 4.1939: Converted to a fishing vessel by James Robertson & Sons Ltd, Fleetwood.
24.4.1939: Registered at Fleetwood as NOREEN MARY (FD4).
25.4.1939: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds (Sk. J. Reader). During trip put into Douglas, IoM with winch problems. Superintendent Engineer, W. Lewis flew over to IoM to oversee repairs. After fishing was resumed a further breakdown necessitated repairs at Peel and when a third problem arose the trip was aborted and returned to Fleetwood.
4.5.1939: First landing at Fleetwood, 158 boxes grossed £260. Harry Blackburn Jnr, President of the Fleetwood Fish Merchants Association, bought the first box of fish and as was customary was awarded a new hat.
8.1939: Sold to Carnie & Gibb, Newhaven.
25.8.1939: Fleetwood registry closed.
8.1939: Registered at Granton (GN17). William Carnie Jnr, Glasgow designated manager. Fishing from Ayr (Granton Harbour closed.
1943 HMS LOCHINVAR relocated to Granton from Port Edgar).
1.7.1944: Sailed Ayr via Oban for Butt of Lewis ground (Sk. John Flockhart); ten crew all told.
5.7.1944: At 21.50 shelled by U-boat (U.247) while fishing 20 miles W of Cape Wrath and sunk; eight crew killed*.
6.7.1944: At 04.25 two injured survivors (2nd Engineer – William Pryde & deckhand – James MacAllister) both with shrapnel wounds taken aboard HM Trawler LADY MADELEINE (P.No.FY.283)(H243).

(*Killed or MPK: Sk. John Flockhart (54), Portobello; Mate, Alex Barnet (58), Leith; 2nd Fish, Alex Mackenzie (44), Cockenzie; Ch. Eng. William Jackson (53), Eyemouth; Wilfred Allen (41), Scarborough, deckhand; George Gordon (39), fireman, Wallyford; Charles Lindsay (52), cook, Edinburgh and James F. Coates (18), apprentice, Glasgow).

14.01.1946: At the Nuremburg Trials an affidavit on the incident was given by James MacAllister, of Adelphi Place, Portobello, a deck hand on the “Noreen Mary”, which was sunk by gunfire from the U.247 while fishing off the West Coast of Scotland on July 5th, 1944. Macalister is now a rigger at Granton. The affidavit formed part of the evidence submitted by Col. H. W. Phillimore. of the British prosecuting staff, in the case against Karl Doenitz, the 55-year-old engineer’s son, who rose to command the Germany Navy and ultimately became ” Fuhrer of Flensburg.” The diary of Oberleutenant zur See Matschulst, the U-boat commander, said: “The sinking by flak of a fishing vessel in this area testifies to great offensive spirit and nerve.” Of the crew of ten, six were killed, including John Flockhart, skipper; Alexander Barnett. mate; Alexander Mackenzie, fisherman; George Gordon, fireman; Charles Lindsay, cook; and unnamed deck hand. The chief engineer, William Jackson, was thrown clear of the ship, but never seen again. In his affidavit MacAllister said two torpedoes missed the vessel. Then the U-boat surfaced and killed several men with its first machine-gun burst. It circled the helpless ship before using its heavier gun, which sank the ship. ” I swam around and managed to scramble on to the overturned bow our lifeboat. Even now the submarine did not submerge, but deliberately steamed in my direction, and when only 60 or 70 yards away fired directly at me with a short burst from the machine-gun.” MacAllister slipped down into the water until the submarine submerged. Afterwards he pulled the second engineer, William Pryde, on the wreckage with him. They were rescued at daylight by a trawler. Pryde had 48 shrapnel wounds and MacAllister 14.

Note: – James MacAllister Adelphi Place Portobello Edinburgh was later awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) for exceptional gallantry and fortitude, although wounded by shrapnel he stood 8 hours until rescued allowing his more seriously wounded shipmate more room to rest.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Kate Lewis

S.T. Kate Lewis
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Kate Lewis A620

S.T. Kate Lewis A620
Picture courtesy of The Dennis Allen Collection

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4

S.T. Noreen Mary FD4
Picture courtesy of The Dennis Allen Collection

Changelog
15/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
09/06/2015: Picture added.
28/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
15/05/2019: Updated history.

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

Technical

Official Number: 165366
Yard Number: 559
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 233
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 Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
11.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.559) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN DUKE.
3.12.1936: Registered at London (LO169). Operating out of Fleetwood (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
28.12.1936: First landing at Fleetwood 550 boxes grossed £644.0.0d.
3.1937: Transferred to Hull (Boyd Line Ltd, managers).
13.3.1937: Sailed Hull for Bear Island grounds (Sk. Henry Lead).
3.4.1937: At Hull landed 2,107 kits grossed £1,158.
30.7.1937: Sailed Hull for Icelandic grounds (Sk Henry Lead); fifteen crew, two passengers.
31.7.1937: Having proceeded up east coast, at about 2.00pm, in dense fog and reduced speed with whistle sounding at regular intervals course was altered to NNW for Duncansby Head. At about 8.00pm the course was altered to WbyN in order to pick up Noss Head fog signal, speed further reduced to slow. At about 9.30pm. Noss Head fog signal was heard and at 10.00pm. course was altered to NNE parallel to the coast along the 20 fathom line to pick up Duncansby Head fog signal. At about 10.45pm after hearing the fog signal and judging Duncansby Head to be abeam altered course to ESE until 40 fathoms was obtained but the skipper decided weather was too thick to proceed through the Pentland Firth. Course was changed to SSE to get within range of Noss Head fog signal and decided to dodge within the fog signals of Duncansby Head, Noss Head and Pentland Skerries.
1.8.1937: At 6.00am. with Duncansby Head fog signal bearing NW at an estimated distance of seven miles the course was set NNW at 3 knots with high water slack. At 7.00am. the Pentland Skerries fog signal was heard which the skipper judged to be half a point on the starboard bow and a reading showed 27 fathoms. Course and speed was maintained until about 7.35am. when rocks and a reef were seen ahead by both skipper and mate. Ship was put hard a port and engine telegraph to full astern, but before ship could gather stern way she ran up on reef at southern end of Louther Skerry, Pentland Firth; using engine attempted to refloat. About noon LADY SHIRLEY (H464) connected but at high water failed to refloat due to wire fouling her propeller; cleared and stood by.
2.8.1937: Before high water, Aberdeen salvage tug IRONAXE (296g/1916) arrived on scene from Lyness. Connected but failed to refloat. 3.8.1937: On night tide refloated by IRONAXE, examined and found to be making little water, proceeded under own power to Aberdeen with tug escort. After examination by divers and taking on an additional pump she was cleared for single voyage to Hull for survey and repair.
16.9.1937: Sailed Hull for Bear Island grounds last trip before sale (Sk. Garforth).
6.10.1937: At Hull landed 1,228 kits grossed £1,026.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (H. Markham Cook, Grimsby, manager).
22.10.1937: At BOT Formal Investigation (S.390) held at Hull, the Court found Sk. Lead in default and suspended his ticket for two months.
1.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol/armed boarding vessel (1-4”, AA weapons) (P.No.4.11) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
18.1.1940: Escorting neutral Swedish motor ship PAJALA (6873/1924) to Kirkwall for inspection. At 1625 some 10 miles 72° from North Rona, PAJALA was hit forward by a torpedo, from Uboat (U25). All thirty five crew taken onboard before a second torpedo hit aft at 1703 and the vessel foundered. Uboat engaged with gun forced to dive and was attacked unsuccessfully with depth charges. HM Destroyers ASHANTI (P.No.F51 ) and KIMBERLEY (P.No.F50) ordered to the scene.
1942: Fitted out for anti submarine duties.
3.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy.
10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy and operated in South Atlantic based at Cape Town.
10.1.1946: Returned to owner.
11.1946: Converted by Palmers Hebburn Co Ltd, Hebburn for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F at a cost of ca.£12,000.
11.1946: Remeasured 622g 233n.
12.1946: London registry closed.
12.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY442).
1951: On an Icelandic trip, arrested for alleged illegal fishing and escorted to Vestmannaeyjar. Case proven and fined 74,000 kroner (£1,620).
9.1956: Off the northern Norwegian coast (Sk. W. Greene).
15.9.1956: In very heavy seas, wind WSW force 9 went to the assistance of the American ‘Liberty’ steamer PELAGIA (7328grt/1943), Narvik for Baltimore with untrimmed iron ore cargo. About 5.10 am GMT steamer was struck by heavy sea and tarpaulins on no.1 hatch damaged but could not go forward to replace tarpaulins. Down by the head with seas breaking over back to no.3 hold prepared to abandon ship Six crew got away in no.2 lifeboat and ship foundered at about 2.30pm GMT.
16.9.1956: Directed by Royal Norwegian Air Force Catalina picked up five persons* only survivors of a crew of thirty-seven, took lifeboat onboard with body of dead crewman.
17.9.1956: Landed survivors and lifeboat at Harstad.
Pre 1959: John Bennett appointed manager.
8.7.1960: On an Icelandic trip (Sk. Peter May). Fire in accommodation, one man died and three others injured.
Pre 1963: John A. Butt appointed manager.
10.1963: Sold to Clayton & Davie Ltd, Dunston-on-Tyne for breaking up.
30.10.1963: Arrived Tyne from Grimsby in tow of FIERY CROSS (192grt/1957).

Note * – Sk.Greene, who was a Fleetwood man, received the personal thanks of President Eisenhower and presented with a gold pocket watch for his seamanship in picking up the five men (one died in boat).

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

S.T. Northern Duke LO169
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

S.T. Northern Duke LO169
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

Northern Duke ashore on Louther Skerry, Pentland Firth

Northern Duke ashore on Louther Skerry, Pentland Firth
Picture courtesy of Orkney Library Archives

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

S.T. Northern Duke LO169
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

S.T. Northern Duke LO169
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Northern Duke LO169

S.T. Northern Duke LO169
Picture courtesy of The John Baxter Collection

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published.
29/05/2014: Information updated.
20/08/2014: Picture 4 added.
23/02/2015: Added information.
16/07/2015: Picture added.
27/07/2015: Picture added.
25/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
29/06/2021: Updated history.