S.D/T. George Baker LT1253 (Seasonal)
Technical
Admiralty Number: 4131
Official Number: 137616
Yard Number: 572
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 96
Net Tonnage: 41
Length: 86.2 ft
Breadth: 18.7 ft
Depth: 9.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
History
1919: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.572) ) (“Admiralty drifter”) for The Admiralty as WATERMEET (Ad.No.4131).
16.9.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel.
11.1919: Sold to Edward A. Baker, Gt. Yarmouth (managing owner).
10.11.1919: Registered at Yarmouth as GEORGE BAKER (YH210).
10.1922: Sold to Robert W. Sillett, Lowestoft (managing owner).
11.10.1922: Yarmouth registry closed.
14.10.1922: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1253).
1927: Sold to John Mitchell, Lowestoft (managing owner).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood (William Head, managing agent).
27.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service on port duties (Hire rate £32.16.0d/month). Renamed SKIRMISHER.
1940: Renamed GEORGE BAKER (LT1253).
2.1944: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1943: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
23.10.1945: Returned to owner.
1947: Sold to Carry On Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Maj. A. W. Suddaby MBE, Gorleston, manager).
10.1955: Sold to Jacques Bakker en Zonen, Bruges for breaking up.
14.10.1955: Delivered Bruges.
1955: Lowestoft registry closed.
My Grandfather was a member of the crew on this boat, his name was Harold Cole Baker born and lived in Lowestoft , unfortunately he was taken ill at sea and died in Milford Haven in 1945. I am not sure if he was on the SS George Baker when he was taken ill but my Grandmother had to travel to Milford Haven by Train (A very long Journey then) from Lowestoft, but he passed away 20 minutes before she got to the hospital.
I have a photograph of the crew on the deck of the SS George Baker which I am guessing was taken between 1922 and 1939, it could be in Lowestoft but I am not sure.
clive.baker5@ntlworld.com