The Bosun's Watch

S.T. Richard Crofts LO365

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3720
Official Number: 143931
Yard Number: 396
Completed: 1918
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 127
Length: 125.5 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Engine: 480 IHP T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley

History

13.6.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.396) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as RICHARD CROFTS.
29.11.1918: Commissioned.
3.12.1918: Completed (1 – 12pdr).
4.5.1920: Withdrawn from auction at Milford.
5.1920: Sold to Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd, London & Milford Haven (Edward D. W. Lawford, manager).
2.6.1920: Registered at London (LO365).
1930: Charles Curzon designated managers.
1930: Transferred to Fleetwood when Edward D. W. Lawford moved his vessels to the port.
15.02.1932: In Wyre Dock Joseph Ince missed his footing on an engine room ladder and died from injuries sustained in the fall.
8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £87.0.0d/month).
5.1940: Returned to owner.
15.7.1941: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.530).
6.8.1945: Returned to owner after survey and restoration at Glasgow.
5.1946: Sold to Lewis, Wilcox & Co Ltd, Milford Haven.
6.1952: Sold to Milford Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (James C. Ward, manager).
6.1952: London registry closed.
10.6.1952: Registered at Milford (M229).
14.2.1953: Sailed Milford for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Harry Rich).
20.2.1953: In thick fog and rough seas grounded on Roaring Jake reef near Cornaig Beg on east coast of Coll, Inner Hebrides. Mayday, life-float launched but vessel slipped off reef and foundered; assisted by Coll lifesaving team, four crew * reached shore but eight men including the skipper were lost +. Wreck lies in 17m.
30.5.1953: Milford registry closed.

(* Saved – Reginald J. Davies, Neyland 2nd Eng; firemen, Joe Vliestra, Hakin & Haydn M. Jones, Pembroke Dock and deckhand Thomas Donovan, Milford)

(+ Lost – Sk. Harry Rich, Hakin; Walter C. Hollowell, Johnston, Mate; John C. Owen. Milford, Bosun; George R. Coe, Milford, 3rd hand; Charles D. Toombs, Hakin, Ch Eng; deckhands, Edgar J. Taylor & John J. Turrell, both Milford and Norman S. Rees, Milford)

(Richard Crofts, Private, Marine, age 26, b. Coventry, Warwickshire – VICTORY (ML84))