Monthly Archives: January 2009

S.T. Arley FD44

Technical

Official Number: 136893
Yard Number: 582
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 304
Net Tonnage: 122
Length: 130.4 ft
Breadth: 24.0 ft
Depth: 13.4 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesborough
Engine: 69rhp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Speed 10.5 knots

History

10.6.1914: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.582) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager) as ARLEY.
18.7.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD44).
7.1914: Completed.
10.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-6pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.591). Based Malta.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
7.3.1921: In thick fog in the Western Approaches, approx 80 miles off Lands End, steam trawler SWAN (FD116) was run down by Seattle registered steamer EDGEMONT (6865grt/1919), struck amidships and foundered. Six men lost and five picked up by ARLEY and returned to Fleetwood.
10.1928: Fitted with W/T.
26.11.1936: Sailed Fleetwood for Iceland after fitting out as a fish carrier for Icelandic vessels bringing catches back to Fleetwood.
31.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minesweeping duties (P.No.FY.620) (Hire rate £81.1.4d/month).
20-26.5.1940: Evacuation from Boulogne, Calais & Dunkirk.
25.5.1940: Sailed Dover for Calais in company with the trawlers BOTANIC (P.No.FY.707) (H463), BROCK (P.No.FY621) (FD47), CALVI (GY269), FYLDEA (P.No.666) (FD72), MARETTA (P.No.FY.665) (FD45), POLLY JOHNSON (H322) and drifters PLAYMATES (P.No.FY.738) (YH141) and WILLING BOYS (P.No.FY.947) (LT737) with several river launches in tow.
26.5.1940: At 1.40am. arrived off the French coast. No evacuation order was given, but Belgian river launch SEMOIS embarked wounded and transferred to ARLEY; sailed for Folkestone with 110 French soldiers.
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
29.5.1940: At 1330 entered Dunkirk harbour in company with FYLDEA to pull the fully laden passenger steamer LOCHGARRY (1280grt/1898) away from the east pier; occupied the vacant berth. BROCK, CALVI, JOHN CATTLING and POLLY JOHNSON berthed, triple banked. At 1530 attacked by German aircraft (Junkers Ju87, Stuka dive bombers), CALVI sunk alongside and POLLY JOHNSON badly damaged. Having embarked troops on leaving, POLLY JOHNSON started to founder. Ordered to take off her troops and sink her by gunfire.
30.5.1940: Returned to Dover at 0730. landed 45 troops.
4.6.1940: ‘Operation Dynamo’ terminated.
1944: Sold to Milford Fisheries Ltd, Milford Haven (Owen W. Limbrick, manager).
3.2.1945: Mined in the North Sea and foundered when under tow (Sk. W. Limb DSC RNR). Engineman David Petrie was the only casualty.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Arley FD44

S.T. Arley FD44
Picture courtesy of The James Cullen Collection

S.T. Arley FD44

S.T. Arley FD44
Picture courtesy of The Fred Baker Collection

S.T. Arley FD44

S.T. Arley FD44
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
26/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
14/05/2015: Updated history for this vessel.
10/07/2019: Updated information.
29/08/2022: Added an image.

S.T. Andradite (1) FD191

Technical

Official Number: 148431
Yard Number: 464
Completed: 1925
Gross Tonnage: 352
Net Tonnage: 150
Length: 140.3 ft
Breadth: 24 ft
Depth: 12.9 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

History

1924: The Board of Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd decided to build two more distant water trawlers to the same design as their two previous vessels ANDALUSITE and ALALITE. Contracts were signed with Cook, Welton & Gemmell to build the ships at £7,700 each and Charles D. Holmes to make the engines and boilers at £6,125 each. Total cost £13,825 each. The names chosen for these vessels were ANDRADITE and AXINITE.

26.1.1925: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.464) for Kingston Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as ANDRADITE.
24.3.1925: Registered at Hull (H176).
30.3.1925: Completed trials and accepted. John William Lown designated manager.
2.4.1925: Sailed Hull on maiden trip to Icelandic grounds.
22.4.1925: At Hull landed 860 kits grossed £1,398.
6.9.1933: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood (Geoffrey Edwards Marr, manager) for £7,600.
7.9.1933: Hull registry closed.
9.9.1933: Registered at Fleetwood (FD191).
14.12.1933: Registered at Fleetwood as ORILLA (FD191).
23.11.1935: Transferred to Hull. The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Leslie James Marr designated manager.
31.12.1937: Last trip out of Hull. Sailed Iceland (Sk. C. Pratt).
17.1.1938: At Hull after 17 days landed 302 kits £366 gross .
3.1939: Sold to P/F Vaga Trolarafelag, Sörvagur, Faroe Islands (D. Niclasen, manager) for £5,000.
3.1939: Remeasured 298g 115n.
9.3.1939: Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Sandevaag as VESTURVARDI (VA214).
1943-1944: Landing frequently at Fleetwood.
1952: Sold to Government of Poland (“Dalmor” Przedsiobiorstwo Polowow Dalekomorskich Sp.z.ogr.opd., Gdynia, managers). Registered at Gdynia as MALY WOZ (GDY179).
1964: Sold for breaking up in Poland.

(Note. Building instalment costings:
Shipbuilder
31.7.1924: Frames – £2000
5.9.1924: Plating – £2000
18.9.1924: Launch – £2000
17.11.1924 : Final – £1500
15.1.1925: Extras – £62.18.9d Total – £7,562.18.9d
Engine and boiler maker
5.9.1924: £1412.10s
2.10.1924: £1412.10s
28.10.1924: £1412.10s
7.11.1924: Final – £1912.10s
15.1.1925: Extras – £30.1.0d Total – £6,180.1.0d

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Vesturvardi VA214

S.T. Vesturvardi VA214
Picture courtesy of The Jonleif Collection (TPF)

S.T. Andradite FD191

S.T. Vesturvardi VA214
Picture courtesy of The Jonleif Collection (TPF)

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
02/07/2019: Updated information.

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow and Mike Thompson

Technical

Official Number: 181346
Yard Number: 1336
Completed: 1948
Gross Tonnage: 636
Net Tonnage: 245
Length: 177.9 ft
Breadth: 30.7 ft
Depth: 15.1 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 1000ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

Note: First vessel built for Lord Line Ltd, Hull

26.4.1947: Contract signed to build six trawlers to this design, yard Nos. 1336-1341, at a cost of £99,000 each. Revised cost to build £104,457. Final cost with full fit out £107,998.
25.3.1948: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1336) for Lord Line Ltd (64/64), Hull as LORD WAVELL.
7.9.1948: Registered at Hull (H578).
9.9.1948: Completed.
11.9.1948: Sailed Hull on first trip.
3.12.1949: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F. Total cost £13,17
17.04.1950: Lord Line Ltd in liquidation. Sold to Associated Fisheries Trawling Co Ltd (64/64), Hull for £79,000. Thomas William Boyd appointed manager.
22.7.1953: Company re-styled Lord Line Ltd (64/64), Hull. Thomas William Boyd appointed manager.
18.3.1963: Sailed Hull for Norway Coast (Sk. H. Smith).
8.4.1963: At Hull landed 2,546 kits grossed £8,047.
10.4.1963: Following reorganisation of Associated Fisheries Group, Hull fleet transferred to Grimsby.
22.4.1963: Hull registry closed.
23.4.1963: Registered at Grimsby (GY97).
2.5.1963: John Arthur Butt appointed manager.
22.2.1966: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Grimsby.
29.3.1966: John Arthur Butt appointed manager.
04.1967 Transferred within Associated Fisheries Group to Wyre Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
26.4.1967: Sold to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (64/64) Fleetwood.
19.5.1967: Leslie Wheildon appointed manager.
19.5.1967: Grimsby registry closed.
6.1967: Registered at Fleetwood (FD98).
5.1967: Sold to L. E. Adams, Plymouth (Ocean Marine Salvage Co, Plymouth) for conversion to a diving and salvage vessel. Fleetwood fishing vessel registry closed. Unofficially renamed LORD J. WAVELL to satisfy terms of sale.
1968: Arrested by Admiralty Marshall at Falmouth.
2.1970: Sold at auction to Haulbowline Industries Ltd, Passage West, Co. Cork for breaking up.
29.3.1970: Delivered Passage West from Falmouth in tow.
18.3.1975: Registry closed “Vessel broken up”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell H578
Picture courtesy of The Jan Harteveld Collection

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell GY97
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Lord J Wavell

Lord J Wavell
Picture courtesy of The Mark Stopper Collection

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98

S.T. Lord Wavell FD98
Picture courtesy of The David Buckley Collection

S.T. Lord Wavell GY97

S.T. Lord Wavell GY97
Picture courtesy of The David Buckley Collection

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
13/04/2014: Picture 4 changed.
16/12/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermarks
01/07/2018: Added an image.
20/10/2020: Added an image.
08/05/2021: Updated history.
05/03/2024: Added 2 images.

S.T. Sulby FD87

Pictures and documents courtesy of Bob Dawson

Download witness statements in pdf format
Reg King’s Statement
Bernard Nolan’s Statement pt.1
Bernard Nolan’s Statement pt.2
Harold Blackburn’s Statement
Newspaper Report

Letter from Alexander Keay to Mrs. Dawson
Part 1 (PDF format)
Part 2 (PDF format)

Technical

Official Number: 127573
Yard Number: 401
Completed: 1909
Gross Tonnage: 287
Net Tonnage: 111
Length: 130.3 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields, 1909

History

3.2.1909: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.401) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood as SULBY.
9.3.1909: Registered at Fleetwood (FD87).
3.1909: Completed. Richard C. Ward & John N. Ward designated joint managers.
1910: John N. Ward designated manager.
7.2.1912: Stranded 3 miles N of Ramsey (Sk. Fairclough); ten crew.
19.2.1912: Attempts to refloat with tugs unsuccessful.
7.4.1912: Arrived Fleetwood in tow after successfully being refloated.
7.4.1912: Reported that John N. Ward who had gone over to the Isle of Man in connection with the salvage of SULBY, had died on the island.
4.1912: Magnus B. J. Wedum designated manager.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.131).
1914: Based Portsmouth.
1918: Based Kirkwall.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
13.3.1926: Sold to George Hindle, Wilpshire, Lancs. Joseph A. Taylor, Albert V. Thompson & Harold Taylor, designated joint managers.
17.6.1930: Outward for fishing grounds in Fleetwood Channel. Carbide drum fell into engine crankpit smashing engine, gas generated exploded causing considerable damage; no casualties. Steam trawler VELIA (FD49) connected and beached vessel at Fleetwood.
18.6.1930: Not making any water, refloated by tugs and entered Wyre Dock for survey and repair.
16.2.1931: Sold to Islay Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Henry Melling designated manager.
10.3.1931: Sold to Cape Fisheries Ltd, London. Albert V. Thompson, Fleetwood designated manager.
5.7.1932: Sold to Alexander Keay, Fleetwood & Andrew Wilson, Buckie. Alexander Keay designated managing owner.
18.3.1933: Sold to Alexander Keay, Fleetwood. Alexander Keay designated managing owner.
25.4.1933: Homeward from West of Scotland grounds, stranded at Strongarve, 4 miles N of Mull of Kintyre. Glasgow steamer LOCHIEL (318g/1906) and Southend lifeboat standing by. At 3.00 pm. refloated and after checks, proceeded to Fleetwood.
15.11.1939: At Fleetwood landed 7,400 stone of herring, £438 gross, the seasons best landing.
5.8.1939: At Fleetwood landed first herring catch of the season – 330 boxes.
21.11.1939: On fishing grounds 35 miles NW of Rathlin Island (Sk. Clarence Hector Hudson), eleven crew, in company with CUIRASS (GY436) and WILLIAM HUMPHRIES (LO533). At 8.00 a.m. stopped by by U-boat (U.33) with warning shot, crew abandoned in two boats, but shelled while lowering port boat. Sunk by gunfire, five rounds from deck gun, in approx position 55.27N 08.01W. In gale force winds, boat with Skipper and four crew* never seen again.
23.11.1939: After 38 1/2 hours in open boat ** (H. Blackburn, bosun) made a landfall at Tobermory and picked up by Tobermory lifeboat.

*Lost presumed drowned – Sk.Clarence H. Hudson; J. Dawson, Mate; James Wood; R. A. Fisher and R. J. Randles

**Survivors – H. Blackburn, Bosun; J. Geddes; H.G. Hay; A. Lewis; J. Threlfall, S. Melhuish and F. Brunt.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Sulby FD87

S.T. Sulby FD87
Picture courtesy of The Bob Dawson Collection

S.T. Sulby FD85

S.T. Sulby FD85
Picture courtesy of The Bob Dawson Collection

S.T. Sulby FD87

S.T. Sulby FD87
Picture courtesy of The Brian Dodd Collection

S.T. Sulby FD87

S.T. Sulby FD87
Picture courtesy of The Brian Dodd Collection

S.T. Sulby FD87

S.T. Sulby FD87
Stranded at Strongarve
Image courtesy of David Buckley

Note incorrect spelling of the name of the lighthouse. This should be “Rubha nan Gall”

News Cutting Sulby Survivors

News Cutting Sulby Survivors

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
14/03/2014: Information updated, documents and image added.
29/08/2022: Added images.
21/12/2023: Added an image.

S.T. St. Just LO434

Technical

Official Number: 162200
Yard Number: 552
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 377
Net Tonnage: 158
Length: 145 ft
Breadth: 24.6 ft
Depth: 13.2 ft
Engine: 96nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by C D Holmes
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Speed: 11.2 knots

History

(In 1935 the Hull trawler LEONIDAS (162186) (H267) was lengthened by Smiths Dock Co. Ltd. The work involved creating an improved hull form with new bow and stern sections. The design was successful, not only providing increased fish room capacity, but also, as was expected, reducing coal consumption and giving a slightly higher free running speed. Other owners stemmed vessels at Middlesbrough for similar work to be undertaken)

23.8.1930: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.552) for Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as St. JUST.
19.9.1930: Registered at Hull (H320).
23.9.1930: Completed. Charles F. Foster designated manager.
1932: William H. Paterson designated manager.
24.8.1934: The Supreme Court in Oslo, upheld the fine of 5,000kr for illegal fishing inside the four mile limit off the Norwegian coast.
1936: Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull and ships sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Basil A. Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager.
29.8.1938: Completed lengthening by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough to 158.2 feet (including fitting new bow and stern sections). Re measured 394g 176n.
25.7.1939: Insured value £18,000.
14.8.1939: Sailed Hull for Bear Island (Sk. A. Lewis).
30.8.1939: At Hull landed 993 kits grossed £808.
1939: To requisitioning, at Hull landed from Bear Island/Iceland/Norway Coast (Sks. T. Kane, H. Fletcher, Arthur Lewis), 219 days 15,255 kits £11,375 gross.
9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.673) (Hire rate £215.4.1d/month). Renamed FIREFLY. Based Leith.
3.2.1940: Sailed Leith to recover and de-activate loose British moored mines in Firth of Forth (Lieut. David B. Johnstone RNR). With a mine alongside attended by boat party, a passing destroyer set the boat in motion and one of the oars touched and detonated the mine. Thirteen crewmen* were killed including the CO and a similar number wounded. Badly damaged but remained afloat and taken in tow by HM Trawler WARDOUR (GY523) (P.No.FY581) for Leith. Repaired and returned to service. Based Yarmouth (Ty Sk. J. W. Gibbs RNR) with M/S Group 30.
15.9.1940: Based Sheerness with M/S Group 30.
1.1941: At Sheerness (Ty Sk. E. A. Runnquist RNR).
1943: Based Harwich with M/S Group 30.
31.8.1943: Sold to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London (R. S. Hewett & H. F. Hayward). Robert S. Hewett, London designated manager.
10.1945: Restored and surveyed at Port Glasgow and reverted to St. JUST (H320).
29.10.1945: Returned.
1946: Hull registry closed.
1946: Registered at London (LO434). Fishing out of Fleetwood.
15.8.1949: At anchor 3 miles off Fleetwood in Lune Deeps. Steam trawler TORONTO (LO196) (Sk. W. Randles) weighed and proceed but fouled anchor cable of St. JUST which wound itself round propeller. Cable fractured and proceeded to Wyre Dock.
1961: Sold to Haulbowline Industries Ltd, Passage West, Cork for breaking up.
27.2.1960: Sailed Fleetwood for Cork.
1.3.1961: Delivered Passage West.
1961: London registry closed.

Lost*: – Ty. Lt. David B Johnstone RNVR; Ty.S/Lt. Carl Dobson RNVR; Ty.S/Lt. Norman F. Peat RNVR; Ty.S/Lt. Geoffrey W. Vaughan RNVR; CPO Charles E. Baldwin; Benjamin R. Barker, Engineman; Henry E. Beavers, John R. Clay, Peter Reid, Alexander Stewart, James Stewart, Seamen; Walter E. Johnson, Seaman cook.
5.2.1940: Edward Barker, 2nd Hand, died of wounds.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. St. Just LO434

S.T. St. Just LO434
Picture courtesy of Robert Hewett

S.T. St. Just LO434

S.T. St. Just LO434
Picture from the Internet

S.T. St Just LO434

S.T. St Just LO434
Picture from the Internet

S.T. St. Just LO434

S.T. St. Just LO434
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
16/02/2017: Removed disputed images.
17/08/2017: Added an image.
17/11/2018: Updated information.
13/12/2018: Added an image.