Yearly Archives: 2009

sv Harriet – FD111

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

FD 111, Harriet, is the only surviving example of the sailing smacks that fished from Fleetwood. Converted to motor power, she survived over 100 years before being abandoned in the Duddon Estuary. The first pictures shows her as originally built and the other two after she had been converted to motor and fitted with gallows for a trawl.

Technical

Official Number: 89709
Completed: 1893
Gross tonnage: 41.60
Net tonnage: 24.55
Length: 60.1 ft
Breadth: 16.8 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Rig: Ketch
Built: Singleton Brothers, Fleetwood
Built as a sister smack to MARGARET
Last sailing trawler to operate from Fleetwood.

History

29.7.1893: Launched by Miss Harriet Leadbetter, the owner’s youngest daughter, at Singleton Brothers, Fleetwood for Richard Leadbetter, Fleetwood & others as HARRIET.
9.1893: Completed at a cost of £1,200.
16/17.9.1893: Maiden trip/fishing trials. (Sk. Henry Leadbetter).
2.10.1893: Registered at Fleetwood (FD111).
13.5.1903: At about 12.30 pm in a strong WSW breeze, sailed Fleetwood (Sk. Henry Leadbetter) with Red Rose (FD99) (Sk. Peter Leadbetter), in company with MARGARET (FD208) (Sk. Richard Leadbetter/Capt. Double) for her sailing trial, the two vessels considered to be the fastest smacks sailing out of Fleetwood. Trials were very successful and MARGARET will obviously improve her sailing qualities once the sails are stretched and adjusted. The boats covered a distance 20 miles in two and a half hours.
5.12.1905: Sold to William Leadbetter, 62 Derbyshire Road, Fleetwood & others.
24.6.1911: At the Blackpool & Fleetwood Sailing Club regatta, in the open race for registered fishing smacks, there was a stiff NNW breeze and rain. The smacks, five in number, got away at 9.00am on a course taken from the flagship FALCON (25regd tons.1894) pilot boat No.1, moored between the Knot and the ferry, round Heysham No.1 buoy, Shell Wharf to Nelson’s buoy, back to Shell wharf, fairway buoy, finishing at the flagship, a distant of about 42 miles. Finished in third place, however with an early collision between the SURPRISE (FD15)and the LOUIE RIGBY (FD127) in which the former lost her bowsprit and the RELIANCE (FD10) failing to round Nelson’s buoy, the race caused a lot of friction between the Leadbetters, Wrights and Colleys. The matter was settled by dividing the prize money between all the entrants.
2.10.1924: At Fleetwood Petty Sessions, two Fleetwood lads were charged with breaking and entering fishing boat cabins. Alongside at the Jubilee, they broke in and stole a pair of prismoid binoculars, valued at £2. On a second charge they broke into the cabin of the smack LORD MARMION (FD131) and stole a barometer valued at 30s. The mother of one of the lads pawned the binoculars for 4s as she had no food and her son said he had found them on the promenade. Both lads had previous convictions but the magistrates gave them another chance; bound over for the sum of £5 to be of good behaviour for twelve months and placed under supervision of the probation officer.
10.5.1928: The Irish Sea experienced a severe gale and many fishing vessels, both sail and steam, suffered damage. Returned home (Sk. Nicholas Wilkinson) in company with the MARGARET (FD208), with sails torn to ribbons, the former had all her sails blown away.
23.4.1929: Sk. Nicholas Wilkinson, 4 Byron Street, Fleetwood died.
13.5.1929: Sk. Albert Iddon, 23 Oak Street, Fleetwood appointed skipper.
24.7.1929: Sold to David Helm, 41 Pharos Street, Fleetwood (Sk. David Helm).
19.3.1930: Converted to auxiliary motor with a semi diesel – remeasured 20.57n.
19.3.1930: Re-registered at Fleetwood as auxiliary motor.
24.3.1930: Sk. James Roskell appointed skipper.
25.5.1930: At 9.00am sailed Fleetwood under power for the fishing grounds (Sk. David Helm) with a charter party of business men onboard with the object of their gaining an insight into fishing operations. At 12.55 pm off the Cumberland coast shot the beam trawl and towed until 4.00pm. On hauling, with a good bag of crayfish and mixed fish, the engine stopped. Attempted to repair but on starting it was not running smoothly and stopped. Hoisting sail but with very little wind they drifted until they dropped anchor around 8.00pm about two miles from the Lune Lightship. Several steam trawlers passed but none saw the signals.
26.5.1930: One of the business men got the engine going and at 2.00pm got underway for Fleetwood, but only with two men holding a knife and screwdriver to the engine to make connections. At 8.00am arrived Fleetwood.
4.11.1830: Sailed for the fishing grounds in company with ASHBY (GY359) and LORD MARMION (FD131).
5.11.1830: In the early hours, about 4.00am, fishing some 40 miles from Fleetwood, with ASHBY some miles away, weather conditions deteriorated. Hauled gear. Sizing up the situation to was agreed that LORD MARMION would be taken in tow for home. Closed, connected and after a six hour tow, HARRIET and LORD MARMION arrived safely in port. AAHBY, with her gear stowed and under reduced sail arrived off the Wyre Light, and was taken in tow by the steam tug CLEVELEYS ((292grt/1902)) and brought safely into Fleetwood.
20.4.1939: After a 43 mile tow, arrived Fleetwood with motor trawler FLORADORA (GY317) picked up disabled with engine trouble.
1943: Re-engined with 4 stroke 4-cyl 68bhp oil engine by Gardner Engines Ltd, Patricroft, Manchester.
13.1.1947: Sold to David Helm, 41 Pharos Street, Fleetwood & George William Fletcher, 22 Whinfield Ave, Fleetwood (Sk. George Fletcher).
16.7.1947: At Fleetwood landed 139 boxes.
24.6.1950: At Fleetwood landed a sturgeon, at 11-12ft and weighing an estimated 25-30 stone, possibly the biggest ever landed at Fleetwood. Sold for £25.
3.1.1953: For 24 hours Seaforth radio broadcast an SOS for Edward Scott, Kemp Street, Fleetwood a fisherman onboard the smack, to return to port as his daughter Ann was ill in Victoria Hospital, Blackpool. There was no response and the Liverpool pilot boat and other trawlers the in the Irish Sea were asked to keep a look out for the HARRIET.
5.1.1953: In the afternoon steam trawler ALCMARIA (LT48) passed on the message. In thick fog, made for home arriving at Fleetwood just before midnight; Scott visited his daughter the following day and she was improving.
7.3.1958: Change of address George William Fletcher, 49 Pharos Street, Fleetwood.
1869: David Helm died.
20.1.1970: Sold to George William Fletcher, 49 Pharos Street, Fleetwood.
2.6.1975: Fleetwood Part IV registry closed “No longer fishing.”
1977: Sold to Mrs Josephine Banner, Little Langdale, Cumbria. Delivered Borwick Rails, Millom (Sk. George Fletcher). Taken out of the water and converted into a day centre for handicapped children – The Harriet Trust. Work mainly undertaken by Youth Training Scheme youngsters from Millom and Whitehaven with grant from Cumbria Tourist Board. Opened by Millom Town Council chairman, Cllr Bessie Schiff.
1994: Further converted to provide better facilities for children in a project by the BBC programme “Challenge Anneka”. Joined by mfv SULWATH (AR74) to provide a play space.
1995: Declared unsafe. After discussions between The HARRIET Trust and Lancashire County Museums Service an agreement was reached to buy the vessel and return her to Fleetwood for conservation and display in the Museum.
5.9.1996: Recorded with the National Historic Fleet. Cert. 638.
8.1998: At Millom lifted on to purpose built cradle and placed on a flat top pontoon for tow back to Fleetwood.
19.8.1998: Arrived Fleetwood.
2008: Stored behind Museum awaiting preservation.
2009: Open for public viewing.

Click to enlarge images

Harriet FD111 outbound. Picture courtesy of E V Todd

Harriet FD111 outbound. Picture courtesy of E V Todd

Harriet FD111 outbound with Ida and William & John FD162. Picture courtesy of E V Todd

Harriet FD111 outbound with Ida and William & John FD162. Picture courtesy of E V Todd

sv Harriet FD111

sv Harriet FD111
Picture (with sv Wonder) courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

mv Harriet FD111

mv Harriet FD111
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

mv Harriet FD111

mv Harriet FD111
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

sv Harriet FD111

sv Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

Sailing Trawler Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111
Harriet at Millom. Image from the Internet.

fv Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111
Preparing the cradle. Image from the Internet.

fv Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111
Ready for the move. Image from the Internet.

fv Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111
Towing form Millom. Image from the Internet.

fv Harriet FD111

fv Harriet FD111
Cllr. Bessie Schiff and Josephine Banner
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
28/01/2009: Page published. 2 updates since then.
02/06/2016: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
20/10/2022: Major update to history.
21/10/2022: Added images.
24/10/2022: Added images.

S.T. Grouse FD169

Technical

Official Number: 108525
Yard Number: 550
Completed: 1897
Gross Tonnage: 144
Net Tonnage: 44
Length: 106 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 11 ft
Engine: 300ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland
Built: Edward Bros, North Shields

History

15.4.1897: Launched by Edwards Bros, North Shields (Yd.No.550) for Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd, Manchester as GROUSE.
25.5.1897: Registered at Fleetwood (FD169).
5.1897: Completed (John E. A. Kelsall & George Beeching, Fleetwood, manager).
1899: Transferred to Hull.
8.4.1899: Registered at Hull (H100).
12.5.1899: Fleetwood registry closed.
30.6.1910: Re-measured after lengthening to 118.3 ft 167g 65n.
30.6.1910: Hull registry closed and vessel registered anew in consequence of material alterations (H100).
10.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.371).
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Hull.
7.1919: John Slater, London appointed manager.
1928: Sold for breaking up.
8.2.1928: Hull registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Grouse FD169

S.T. Grouse FD169
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

Changelog
28/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
06/08/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
08/10/2021: Minor update.

S.T. Gavina (1) FD236

Technical

Official Number: 139207
Yard Number: 635
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 289
Net Tonnage: 115
Length: 130.3 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull

History

17.7.1915: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.635) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as GAVINA.
22.11.1915: Registered at Fleetwood (FD236).
6.1.1916: Completed (James A. Robertson, manager).
4.1916: Requisitioned from the builders for war service (Ad.No.1995).
4.1916: Fitted with W/T, Hotchkiss 12pdr HA and mine-sweep.
1.10.1918: At Falmouth F.C.T. Escort.
23.10.1918: Re-registered at Fleetwood (FD236).
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
5. 10.1921: Outward for West of Ireland fishing grounds in dense fog ran on reef north of Bruce’s Castle, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim. Crew launched boat and landed on island. Salvage failed due to extensive bottom damage and vessel declared a total loss. Wreck still visible 6m in position 55°17.50N/06°10W.
17.11.1921: Fleetwood registry closed “Wrecked 5/10/21”.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Gavina FD236

S.T. Gavina FD236
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Gavina FD236 ashore at Rathlin

S.T. Gavina FD236 ashore at Rathlin
Picture from the Internet

The write off

The write off

Lloyds Letter

Lloyds Letter

Loss Report

Loss Report

Changelog
28/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
23/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
27/10/2020: Updated history.
10/09/2023: Added image.

S.T. Fyldea FD72

Additional information courtesy of David Parkinson

Technical

Official Number: 162058
Yard Number: 1072
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 355
Net Tonnage: 141
Length: 140.4 ft
Breadth: 25 ft
Depth: 13.4 ft
Engine T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

Note: In 1935 the Hull trawler Leonidas (162186) (H267) was lengthened by Smiths Dock Co. Ltd. The work involved creating an improved hull form with new bow and stern sections. The design was successful, not only providing increased fish room capacity, but also, as was expected, reducing coal consumption and giving a slightly higher free running speed. Other owners stemmed vessels at Middlesbrough for similar work to be undertaken

15.2.1930: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1072) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as FYLDEA.
24.3.1930: Registered at Fleetwood (FD72).
29.3.1930: Completed. Geoffrey Edwards Marr designated manager.
05.11.1931: Took off crew of trawler CRISCILLA (FD23) stranded 2 miles N by E of McArthur’s Head, Sound of Islay.
26.4.1934: The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull bought by J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood.
1934: Transferred to fish out of Hull, working Bear Island and Iceland. Crewed and operated by The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Leslie J. Marr, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager (Fred Crawforth manager and fish salesman at Hull).
1934: Transferred to fish out of Hull, working Iceland. Crewed and operated by The City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Leslie J. Marr, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager (Fred Crawforth manager and fish salesman at Hull).
1935: Landed at Hull from Bear Island/Iceland (Sks. Pennington, Flint, Crewdson). 309 days 19,438 kits £11,891 gross.
21.7.1936: Completed lengthening by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough to 151.5 feet (including fitting new bow and stern sections). Re measured 377g 149n.
1937: Insured value £12,000.
1.1.1938: Insured value £13,000.
25.7.1939: Insured value £16,500.
3.8.1939: Sailed Hull for Bear Island (Sk. H. French).
21.8.1939: At Hull landed 1,547 kits £1,666 gross.
1939: To requisitioning, at Hull landed from White Sea/Iceland/Bear Island (Sks. W. Dreever, W. Chard, H. French), 209 days 12,396 kits 13,262 gross.
2.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (magnetic) (P.No.FY.666) (Hire rate £202.12.11d/month).
20-26.5.1940: Evacuation from Boulogne, Calais & Dunkirk.
25.5.1940: Sailed Dover for Calais (Sk. G. Whamond RNR) in company with the trawlers ARLEY (P.No.FY.620) (FD44), BOTANIC (P.No.FY.707) (FD47), BROCK (P.No.FY.621) (FD47), CALVI (GY269), MARETTA (P.No.FY.665) (FD45), POLLY JOHNSON (H322) and drifters PLAYMATES (P.No.FY.738) (YH141) and WILLING BOYS (P.No.FY.947) (LT737) with several river launches in tow.
26.5.1940: At 0140 arrived off the French coast. No evacuation order given. Returned to Dover.
26.5.1940: At 1857 ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
27.5.1940: At 1140 sailed Dover with HM Minesweepers HALCYON (P.No.N42) and SKIPJACK (P.No.N38) to establish a middle route to Dunkirk: this became route X.
29.5.1940: At 1330 entered Dunkirk harbour in company with ARLAY to pull the fully laden passenger steamer LOCHGARRY (1280grt/1898) away from the east pier; occupied the vacant berth. BROCK, CALVI, JOHN CATTLING and POLLY JOHNSON berthed, triple banked. At 1530 attacked by German aircraft (Junkers Ju87, Stuka dive bombers), CALVI sunk alongside and POLLY JOHNSON badly damaged. Having embarked troops on leaving, POLLY JOHNSON started to founder. Ordered to take off her troops and sink her by gunfire. BROCK developed engine trouble but managed to make Dover at half speed after her troops were transferred to FYLDEA.
30.5.1940: At 0400 arrived Dover with 41 troops.
01.6.1940: Sailed Dover for Dunkirk towing fishing vessel BRITTANIA IV. At Dunkirk BRITTANIA IV ferried troops onboard and to other vessels.
2.6.1940: At 0315 arrived Dover with 139 troops.
4.6.1940: ‘Operation Dynamo’ terminated.
30.1.1942: Based Lowestoft. Shot down German aircraft (JU88) near 54G buoy off Norfolk coast; one body recovered.
11.1945: Reclassed at Glasgow.
12.1945: Returned to owner.
1945: Fleetwood registry closed.
8.12.1945: Registered at Hull (H160).
26.9.1946: Sold to The Ocean Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull.
3.7.1947: Registered at Hull as HOWARD (H160). William Leslie Barkworth designated manager.
11.1947: Sold to Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
12.11.1947: Hull registry closed.
1.1948: Registered at London as RED DRAGON (LO381). Cdr. E. D. W. Lawford DSO designated manager.
11.11.1949: Landed from a White Sea Trip, 1554 kits (1450 boxes), £4,015 gross.
15.2.1958: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
18.2.1958: Arrived Barrow from Fleetwood. London registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Fyldea FD72

S.T. Fyldea FD72
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

S.T. Fyldea FD72 as a minesweeper

S.T. Fyldea FD72 as a minesweeper
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

S.T. Fyldea FD72

S.T. Fyldea FD72
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

HMT Fyldea

HMT Fyldea
Picture courtesy of The Imperial War Museum

S.T. Fyldea FD72

S.T. Fyldea FD72
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Changelog
28/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
12/04/2015: Picture added.
14/02/2019: Image added.
15/05/2019: Updated the history for this vessel.
17/10/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Frobisher LO15

Technical

Official Number: 162202
Yard Number: 555
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 397
Net Tonnage: 151
Length: 142.7 ft
Breadth: 25.1 ft
Depth: 14.1 ft
Engine: 104nhp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd. Hull
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Speed: 10.7 knots

History

Note In 1935 the Hull trawler LEONIDAS (162186) (H267) was lengthened by Smiths Dock Co. Ltd. The work involved creating an improved hull form with new bow and stern sections. The design was successful, not only providing increased fish room capacity, but also, as was expected, reducing coal consumption and giving a slightly higher free running speed. Other owners stemmed vessels at Middlesbrough for similar work to be undertaken

24.9.1930: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.555) for Oddsson & Co Ltd, Hull as K’OPANES.
22.10.1930: Registered at Hull (H502).
28.10.1930: Completed (Jon S. Oddsson, Hessle, manager).
3.10.1933: Sold to W. B. Willey & Sons Ltd, Hull (William B. Willey Jnr, manager).
23.10.1933: Renamed GRAMPIAN (H502).
6.1937: Completed lengthening by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough to 158.7 feet (including fitting new bow and stern sections). Re measured 409g 164n.
18.1.1939: Sold to East Riding Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Charles Percy Hudson, manager). 25.7.1939: Insured value £18,200.
8.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service and as a minesweeper (1-12pdr HA) (P.No.FY.546) (Hire rate £226.12.3d/month).
1.1.1940: Sold to Hudson Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Archibald Hudson, manager).
3.1944: Employed on miscellaneous naval duties.
1944: Sold to Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd, Hull (Archibald Hudson, manager).
2.1946: Reclassed at Glasgow.
5.3.1946: Returned to owner. Renamed CAPE PEMBROKE (H502).
11.12.1946: Sold to The Ocean Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull (William Leslie Barkworth, manager). Renamed FROBISHER (H502).
3.12.1948: Sold to Short Blue Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Robert S. Hewett, manager). Hull registry closed. Registered at London (LO15).
9.12.1950: Steam trawler NORTHERN SPRAY (GY190) (Sk.Sveri Ebenezersson), in a fierce storm in Isafjördur town outer harbour, dragged anchors and grounded at 3.00pm but came afloat about 6.30 pm. only to drift ashore again off the township of Isafjördur.
10.-12.12.1948: Crew returned and attempt to refloat with the aid of trawlers DERBY COUNTY (GY514), FROBISHER (H502) and Icelandic gunboat ÆGIR (507grt/1929) unsuccessful due to falling tide (25.12.1950: Northern Spray refloated by Icelandic gunboat ÆGIR and taken to Reykjavik where survey revealed extensive bottom damage).
1957: Sold to Van Heyghen Freres S.A., Ghent for breaking up.
24.10.1957: Sailed Fleetwood for Ghent.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Frobisher LO15

S.T. Frobisher LO15
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Frobisher LO15

S.T. Grampian H502
As an examining vessel

Changelog
28/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
01/12/2016: Information updated.
26/01/2017: Removed disputed image.
28/04/2019: added image.
15/10/2020: Updated history.