The Bosun's Watch

Technical

Official Number: 133443
Yard Numbe: 559
Launched: March 11 1913
Gross Tonnage: 288
Net Tonnage: 115
Length: 133.5 ft
Breadth: 23.0 ft
Draught: 12 ft
Engine: 76HP T.3-cyl by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Son Ltd, Selby, 1913
Owner: Lancashire Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood

History

11.3.1913: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.559) for Pickering & Haldane’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull, as SHACKLETON.
14.6.1913: Registered at Hull (H1003).
6.1913: Completed.
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for minelaying duties (Ad.No.3219).
1920: Returned.
1922: Sold to The Lancashire Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (E. Towne, manager).
12.7.1922: Hull registry closed.
13.7.1922: Registered at Fleetwood (FD409).
1.3.1930: Homeward from grounds off St. Kilda (Sk.W. Wilson), in thick fog and swell lost her position when south of Islay and shaping for North Channel. Grounded amongst rocks and in rough seas on north coast of Rathlin Island. Portrush lifeboat launched and Fleetwood trawlers CUIRASS (GY436) and PHRONTIS (FD142) and steamer CARA (1856grt/1929) responded to her distress radio message. Vessels could not approach and Rathlin lifesaving team, with great difficulty, rescued all fourteen crew. Crew picked up by CUIRASS and returned to Fleetwood.
11.3.1930: Fleetwood registry closed. Wreck lies in 4-12m in position 55°18.45N/06°14.30W.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Shackleton FD409
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

S.T. Shackleton FD409 as a minelayer