S.T. Queen Alexandra FD364
Technical
Official Number: 113614
Yard Number: 292
Completed: 1901
Gross Tonnage: 231
Net Tonnage: 93
Length: 121.7 ft
Breadth: 21.5 ft
Depth: 12 ft
Engine: 65NHP T.3-cyl by C. D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots
History
20.7.1901: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull (Yd.No.292) for Armitage’s Steam Trawling Co, Hull (George T. Armitage, manager) as QUEEN ALEXANDRA.
24.8.1901: Registered at Hull (H530).
8.1901: Completed.
1914: Transferred to Armitage’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (George T. Armitage, manager).
16.10.1916: Sank the SUNBEAM in collision SE of NW Boulders Buoy, Morecambe Bay.
3.1917: At Fleetwood. Fitted with Hotchkiss 6pdr gun (No.1234)(ex PHOEBE); compliment increased by two gunners.
29.5.1917: Requisitioned for Fishery Reserve.
1919: Released.
7.1.1920: Sold to Thomas H. Smith, Fleetwood.
15.1.1920: Hull registry closed.
16.1.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (FD364).
1923: Sold to The Sun Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (J. W. Armitage, manager).
1927: Sold to Mason Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (T. W. Mason, manager).
1927: Thomas Cardwell became manager.
14.9.1940: Requisitioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties.
16.9.1940: Returned to owner (Robert H. Bagshaw, manager).
28.4.1951: In moderate weather, stranded 2 miles S of Carraig Mhor Light, Sound of Islay; Islay lifeboat stood by. Refloated.
8.1952: Fishing off Isle of Man had net carried away by RN submarine. No damage to trawler or submarine.
5.8.1952: Last landing.
8.1952: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
11.9.1952: Delivered Barrow from Fleetwood under own power.
Click to enlarge images
S.T. Queen Alexandra FD364
Picture courtesy of Mike Thompson
S.T. Queen Alexandra FD364
Picture © John Clarkson
The bell from S.T. Queen Alexandra still survives as the Rotary Bell for The Rotary Club of Londonderry in Northern Ireland. For pictures see:
http://www.londonderryrotary.org/club_2005_-_2006.html
Since being parted from its mother ship, the bell has not led a quiet life. On the night of the 21st November 1971, the Melville Hotel, Londonderry, where the Rotary Club met, was destroyed in a major fire which cost the life of two brave firemen. The bell survived but its wooden frame was destroyed. A new frame was built by the carpenters of the United States Naval Communications Station in Londonderry. For a picture of the bell and full frame see:
http://www.londonderryrotary.org/imagebrowser/p071_5_00_8.html
In May 2012, the Bell was taken to the Rotary International Conference in Bangkok, Thailand to help promote a Peace and Reconciliation Conference being organised by the Rotary Club of Londonderry for May 2013.
The bell is rung at the beginning and end of every club meeting. It is also rung by thousands of members of the public when it stands at the club’s Rotary Tree of Remembrance at Foyleside, Londonderry for two weeks every Christmas.
johnmaccrossan@btinternet.com