Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson and Geoff Davidson

Technical

Official Number: 167050
Yard Number: 1058
Completed: 1939
Gross Tonnage: 520.32
Net Tonnage: 190.57
Length: 175.9 ft
Breadth: 28.6 ft
Depth: 15.0 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 925ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Richardson, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool

History

23.12.1938: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.1058) for Hull Great Northern Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Hull as IMPERIALIST.
1.1939: Completed.
28.1.1939: Registered at Hull (H2).
28.1.1939: Owen Stooks Hellyer designated manager.
30.1.1939: Sailed Hull on first trip to White Sea (Sk. H. Duffen).
16.2.1939: At Hull landed 1,870 kits grossed £1.212.
25.7.1939: Insured value £31,200.
14.8.1939: Sailed Hull for Bear Island last trip before requisition (Sk. A. Lynch).
30.8.1939: At Hull landed 1,199 kits £902 gross.
1939: To requisition, at Hull land from Iceland/White Sea/Bear Island (Sks. A. Lynch, R. Duffin, T. W. Ellis, J. C. Ashcroft) 189 days 17,262 kits £12,605.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for anti submarine duties (P.No.FY.126) North Atlantic Command (Hire rate £390.0.0d/month).
17.2.1941: Sold to Hellyer Bros Ltd (64/64), Hull.
21.2.1941: Owen Stooks Hellyer appointed manager.
18.1.1942: At Gibraltar, 7th A/S Group, damaged by explosive charge placed onboard HM Trawler ERIN.
31.10.1943: At night in Strait of Gibraltar, north of Tangier, detected U-boat (U.732) in vicinity of convoy, depth charged and brought to surface, engaged with gunfire damaging conning tower but U-boat submerged. Two more depth charge attacks made but contact lost. (Pby Temp Lieut. P. E. Kito RNVR). Later HMS DOUGLAS (P.No.D90) (Lt Cdr. K. H. J. L. Phipps RN) in approx position of attack illuminated a U-boat (U.732) on the surface. Engaged with gunfire and several hits observed; crew abandoned the boat. Eighteen survivors picked in position 35.54N 05.52W. Thirty-one dead.
10.1945: Returned to owner at Hull.
30.11.1945: Insured value £52,500; for 1946 proposed £60,000.
1.1.1946: Sold to The Hull Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Hull.
1.1.1946: Richard Owen Hellyer appointed manager.
1.1947: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
24.1.1947: Alteration to tonnage and other particulars, Certificate of Survey at Hull dated 9.1.1947. 526.25g 192.56n.
12.5.1947: Sold to The Northern Fishing Co (Hull) Ltd (64/64), Hull.
12.5.1947: Peter Anthony Hellyer appointed manager.
23.3.1948: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
2.5.1949: Mark Hellyer and Graham Hellyer appointed managers.
6.1949: New boiler fitted.
9.10.1959: Outward for Icelandic grounds (Sk. Frank W. Drewery). In thick fog off the Yorkshire coast in collision with Turkish steamer YELKENCI (7046grt/1943) 15 miles east of Scarborough. Heavy damage to shell plating on the port side and beached south of Scarborough harbour.
11.10.1959: Refloated after temporary repairs and proceeded to Hull for permanent repair and return to service
7.3.1963: Sailed Hull Norway Coast, last trip from port (Sk. W. Hodgson).
29.3.1963: At Hull landed 1,304 kits grossed £5,329. Transferred within the Associated Fisheries Group to Fleetwood.
4.1963: First landing at Fleetwood from Icelandic grounds £3,034 gross.
10.10.1963: Sold to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
18.10.1963: Mortgage (A) discharged.
6.1.1964: Hull registry closed.
6.1.1964: Registered at Fleetwood (FD83).
6.1.1964: Leslie Wheilden appointed manager.
31.10.1964: Returned to Fleetwood with fire in store beneath forecastle accommodation. Crew unable to determine seat of fire and control flames. Attended by Fleetwood and Blackpool fire brigades and fire extinguished with limited damage.
18.10.1965: Dodging in a heavy gale on Icelandic grounds (Sk. John Mcklenburgh Jnr). Despite radar out of action and own machinery problems, went to the assistance of Icelandic fishing boat STRAKUR* (SI145) (40grt) disabled with engine trouble and leaking. Picked up seven crew members from an inflatable dinghy and with difficulty closed casualty and took off remaining two crew.
12.1966: Sold to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
20.12.1966: Delivered Troon Harbour from Fleetwood under own power (draughts7’9”/16’6”).
25.6.1968: Breaking commenced.
9.10.1968: Beached (draughts 8’6”/10’6”).
15.7.1969: Breaking completed.

*The National Lifesaving Association of Iceland awarded medals to Sk. Micklenburgh and his crew for the rescue of the crew of the Straker.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

HMT Imperialist
Picture courtesy of The Imperial War Museum

HMT Imperialist
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Westwood Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Len Charnley Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The John Bonner Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Frank Smith Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
23/04/2014: Picture added.
12/04/2015: Picture added.
20/07/2015: Picture added.
17/12/2015: Information updated.
02/05/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermarks.
21/12/2017: Added images.
20/01/2021: Updated history.