S.T. Vanilla GY202
Technical
Official Number: 108441
Yard Number: 173
Completed: 1897
Gross Tonnage: 158
Net Tonnage: 67
Length: 101 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 11.2 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by C. D. Holmes & Co, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Cooper, Beverley
History
21.12.1896: Launched by Cochrane & Cooper, Beverley (Yd.No.173) for Arctic Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as VANILLA.
5.2.1897: Registered at Grimsby (GY202).
2.1897: Completed (Edwin Bacon, manager).
5.1911: Sold to The South Western Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby & Fleetwood (Alick (Alec) Black, Grimsby, manager).
6.1914: Sold to The Savoy Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (H. Croft Baker, manager).
18.4.1915: Mined 53 miles E by S from Inner Dowsing Light Vessel (On 17.4.1915 the German light cruisers STRALSUND and STRASSBURG laid a minefield from 53.30N, 02.30W to about 53.40N, 03.25W ). Nine crew MPK including skipper.
26.4.1915: Grimsby registry closed “Sunk by a submarine”.
(MPK – Sk. T. Bennett; John Maney, Mate; W. May; George Cruse; C. Phillips; R. Lovelock; R. Ducker; T. Sanders & J. Macarthy)
The Mate, John Maney, was my grandfather, I also know a little about the other crew members.
There was some initial doubt about the sinking, initially given as by a torpedo from a submarine, witnessed by crew members of the Ermin [??], another trawler. But we and the Germans had both laid mines in that area only days before. I think it was sunk by a mine!!
I have contacted the ‘Wrecksite’ and whilst some of their members have dived on the Vanilla, it was quite some time ago and they could not help with any more details.
rwalsham@onetel.com