Author Archives: Bill Johnson

S.T. W. Wetherly – A65

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Birgir Þórisson

Technical

Official Number: 123353
Yard Number: 401
Completed: 1906
Gross Tonnage: 234.19
Net Tonnage: 75.43
Length: 120.1 ft
Breadth: 23.1 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

21.4.1906: Launched by Mrs W. R. Wetherly, wife of the owner at Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.401) for William Richard Wetherly, Aberdeen as W. WETHERLY.
12.5.1906: Registered at Aberdeen (A65). William R. Wetherly designated manager.
26.6.1906: Maiden landing 150 ton of salt fish from Iceland (Sk. Robert Erskine Wetherly)
(J. Brown, agent).
6.8.1906: Landed a fairly good shot from Iceland.
9.8.1906: Sailed Aberdeen afternoon tide for Portugal.
14.8.1906: Arrived Ferrol.
15.8.1906: Sailed Ferrol.
8.1906: Fishing out of Lisbon (Sk. Robert E. Wetherly).
7.1907: Arrived Aberdeen from Portugal.
22.7.1907: At the Justice of Peace Court, Aberdeen Sk. Robert Erskine Wetherly was charged with on 17th July having onboard, knowingly, harboured, kept, or concealed 20lbs of tea. He was also charged with having offered, on the same date, a bribe, recompense, or reward to the two customs officers. The accused stated that the tea had been bought in Lisbon for the use of the crew while fishing out of that port. Having heard all the evidence the Justices found the first charge proven and imposed a fine of £3 with £1 expenses. The second charge was found not proven.
1907: Fishing out of Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
13.4.1907: Landed 81/2 tons (310 boxes/21/2 tons side fish).
24.8.1907: Landed 80 boxes/20 score.
4.11.1907: Landed 250 boxes/2 ton side fish.
27.12.1907: Landed 150 boxes/10 score.
1907: Fishing out of Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
6.1.1908: Landed 270 boxes/10 score.
21.4.1908: Landed 270 boxes/25 score.
20.5.1908: Landed 190 boxes/51/2 tons side fish.
7.10.1908: Landed from a West coast trip over 260 boxes (including 200 boxes of herring/ 2 tons side fish.
12.1908: Bought by Wetherly’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen for the sum of £6,037 5s 9d including outfit; ownership not transferred.
1909: Fishing out of Fleetwood (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
4.1.1909: Landed 60 boxes.
15.1.1909: Landed 70 boxes.
27.1.1909: Landed 200 boxes.
4.6.1909: Landed 245 boxes.
24.8.1909: Landed 260 boxes.
9.9.1909: Landed 350 boxes.
6.10.1909: Landed 350 boxes.
4.1.1910: Landed 140 boxes.
1.1910: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
9.2.1910: Landed 80 boxes/50 score.
23.2.1910: At Fleetwood landed 90 boxes.
28.4.1910: Landed 120 boxes/370 score.
23.7.1910: Landed 80 boxes/5 score.
21.10.1910: Landed 100 boxes/40 score.
1. 1911: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
26.1.1911: Landed 140 boxes/5 tons.
2.-5.1911: Along with VALEof LENNOX (A256) chartered by Trawlfjelagið bræðurnir Thorsteinsson, Reykjavik (The Thorsteinsson-brothers Trawling company – Th Thorsteinsson and P.J. Thorsteinsson) for the salting season *.
2.1911: The pair sailed Aberdeen for Iceland with mainly Icelandic crews and fishing masters.
5.1911: Returned to Aberdeen. The ‘season’s’ catch had been 380 tons, the second most successful ship.
2.6.1911: Again fishing out of Fleetwood (Smith, Jameson & Holmes, managing agents.)
24.6.1911: Landed 150 boxes.
3.8.1911: Landed at Aberdeen.
12.9.1911: Landed 330 boxes.
22.12.1911: Landed at Aberdeen.
15.1.1912: At Aberdeen landed 155 boxes/30 score.
2-5.1912: Chartered by H/F Óðinn, Reykjavik (Elías Stefánsson) for the salting season.
6.8.1012: At Aberdeen landed 120 boxes/41/2 tons.
16.9.1912: At Fleetwood land 175 boxes.
1913: Fishing out of Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
3.1.1913: Landed 200 boxes/3 score.
6.1.1913: Arrived Aberdeen with the Avoch owned, Inverness registered ketch SWIN (58n/1883), Aberdeen for Methil, cargo sleepers, picked up off Tod Head Light, abandoned. Caught in a heavy gale on 30th December about 50 miles off Tod Head Light, the ketch became unmanageable. In response to her signals of distress Hull trawler MERCURY (H518) responded, closed, connected and commenced tow to Aberdeen. After some time the wires parted and the crew were taken off leaving the ketch abandoned. Crew landed at Aberdeen 1st January.
29.6.1913: At Fleetwood landed 150 boxes.
12.8.1913: At Fleetwood landed 130 boxes.
27.9.1913: Landed 250 boxes/24 score.
8.10.1913: Sold to Oceaan Visscherij Maatschappij ‘Oceaan IV’, IJmuiden.
15.10.1913: Aberdeen Part IV registry closed.
15.10.1913: Sailed Aberdeen in the evening for IJmuiden with same crew.
10.1913: Registered at IJmuiden as OCEAAN IV (IJM202). L. Alland designated manager.
2.12.1916: Reported captured by Germans and taken in to Cuxhaven.
28.5.1920: Sailed IJmuiden for fishing grounds.
30.5.1920: Seen on fishing grounds. Missing since this date.

* The venture was very successful and in May 1911, P.J. Thorsteinsson signed contracts for two trawlers from Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby; Yd Nos. 515 BALDUR (RE146) and 516 BRAGI (RE147), which entered service in the 1912 ‘season’ with the same crews.

Changelog
21/08/2021: Page published.

S.D. Welcome Home – LT256

Seasonal visitor

Technical

Official Number: 145830
Yard Number 559
Completed: 1925
Gross Tonnage: 104
Net Tonnage: 44
Length: 88.0 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 10.5 ft
Built: John Chambers Ltd, Lowestoft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Wooden built

History

1925: Completed by John Chambers Ltd, Lowestoft (Yd No.559) for Albert E. Beamish, Lowestoft as WELCOME HOME.
13.8.1925: Registered at Lowestoft (LT256). Albert E. Beamish designated managing owner.
1928: Seasonal white fish trawling out of Fleetwood.
20.6.1928: Typical landing 15 boxes.
25.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (Hire rate £37.14.0d/month).
4.1943: Employed on miscellaneous naval duties.
1945: Returned to owner.
1947: Sold to Victor J. Thompson, Gt. Yarmouth & Norman A. W. Beamish, Beccles.
1957: Sold for breaking up. Lowestoft registry closed.

Changelog
14/08/2021: Page published.

S.T. Jessie Wetherly – A228

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 127154
Yard Number: 452
Completed: 1908
Gross Tonnage: 214.81
Net Tonnage: 78.56
Length: 116.1 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

6.5.1908: Launched by Mrs Wetherly, wife of Sk. Robert Wetherley Jnr. at Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.452) for Wetherley’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen as JESSIE WETHERLY.
11.6.1908: Registered at Aberdeen (A228).
5.1908: Completed. William R. Wetherly designated manager.
10.6.1908: In fine weather sailed Aberdeen at about 11.00 am on a trial trip with a large number of invited guests (Sk. Robert Wetherly). After steaming in a NE direction for about a couple of hours the trawl was shot. On hauling, the catch was distributed among the guests. In late afternoon returned to Aberdeen.
1909: Fishing out of Fleetwood.
15.1.1909: With rough weather on the fishing grounds, landed 70 boxes.
27.3.1909: Landed 250 boxes.
14.4.1909: Landed 140 boxes.
11.5.1909: Landed 200 boxes.
8.10.1909: Possibly last landing at Fleetwood, 255 boxes.
11.1909: At Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
26.11.1909: Landed 16 tons including 300 boxes and 1 ton side fish.
7.12.1909: Landed 230 boxes and 31/2 tons side fish.
11.1.1910: Landed 180 boxes and 8 score.
30.3.1910: Landed 220 boxes and 51/2 tons.
1.4.1910: Sailed Aberdeen for Iceland grounds (Sk. Robert Erskine Wetherly); twelve hands all told.
5.4.1910: In clear visibility, fair breeze with a full moon shining, but a heavy sea running, fishing some 20 – 30 miles from Vestmannaeyjar in the company of other trawlers. At about 1.30 am. the skipper shouted to those on deck “ Look out there “. Immediately afterwords the Arcachon steam trawler NORDCAPER (ARC51), with lights burning, crashed into the side abreast the engine room. The French trawler rebounded with force of impact but with steam not having been shut off, went ahead crashing into the side again doing considerable damage. Following the collision all hands were on deck, some only partially clothed, but prepared to abandon, it being seen that the chance of remaining onboard was hopeless as she was starting to settle. All crew* taken onboard the NORDCAPER and shortly after trawler foundered. Landed at Reykjavik.
19.4.1910: Survivors sailed Reykjavik for Leith in Danish mail steamer CERES (1166grt/1882).
22.4.1910: Survivors arrived Leith.
23.4.1910: Survivors arrived Aberdeen.
28.4.1910: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel sunk after collision off Iceland 5th April 1910”. Vessel was fully insured.

Crew* saved: Sk. R. E. Wetherly; John Gallagher, mate; D. M’Hattie, A. Mitchell and W. Goldsmith, engineers; James Boyle, John Buchan, James Tocher and W. Thomson, fishermen; D. Allen and J. Hedcocks, deckhands; Joseph Murray, cook.

Changelog
10/08/2021: Page published.

S.D/T. Thistle -YH829

Seasonal visitor

Technical

Official Number: 117557
Yard Number: 744
Completed: 1904
Gross Tonnage: 79.34
Net Tonnage: 17.32
Length: 80.0 ft
Breadth: 18.1 ft
Depth: 8.5 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields
Engine: C.2-cyl by MacColl & Pollock Ltd, Sunderland

History

2.2.1904: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.744) for Westmacott Ltd, Gt Yarmouth as THISTLE.
2.1904: Completed.
5.3.1904: Registered at Yarmouth (YH829). R. G. Westmacott appointed manager.
24.11.1904: In Yarmouth Roads in collision with steam drifter SUNFLOWER (YH567) which subsequently foundered; all hands picked up.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 27.80net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1433). Renamed THISTLE III. Based Dover.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Yarmouth. Reverted to THISTLE (YH829).
1932: Westmacott Ltd in voluntary liquidation; fleet for sale.
1932: Sold by the Liquidator to P. W. Watson & Sons Ltd, Lowestoft for the sum of £675. Allan H. Watson appointed manager.
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent at Fleetwood).
4.1940: Requisitioned for war service and employed on Examination service (Hire rate £22.0.0d/ month). Renamed THISTLE V.
8.5.1941: Mined off Lowestoft in position 52.28N 01.47E. Pby/Ty/Sk. C. Sanson RNR, Ty/Sub Lieut. T. S. Wedderburn-Ogilvy RNVR and eight crew lost; one survivor.
17.1.1942: Yarmouth registry closed “Vessel totally lost on 8th May 1941 on NS.”

Changelog
08/08/2021: Page published.

S.T. Colonial Empire – H404

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm.

Technical

Official Number: 109038
Yard Number 209
Completed: 1898
Gross Tonnage: 162
Net Tonnage: 53
Length: 105.4 ft
Breadth: 20.7 ft
Depth: 11.0 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Hull
Engine: 350ihp T.3-cyl by Tindall & Co, Hull

History

7.4.1898: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Hull (Yd. No.209) for Cargill Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull as COLONIAL EMPIRE.
6.1898: Completed. Edward B. Cargill designated manager.
17.6.1898: Registered at Hull (H404).
1.7.1898: Sailed Hull for fishing grounds.
13.7.1898: At Hull landed maiden catch.
14.2.1902: Sailed Hull for fishing grounds but returned same tide with engine defect.
21.2.1906: Sailed Hull for fishing grounds. In the Humber when overtaking in collision with Newcastle owned London registered steamer BRIAR (188grt/1891), Hull for Berwick with oilcake. Both vessels damaged. Returned to St. Andrew’s Dock.
29.8.1906: When off the South Foreland about noon in hazy conditions, sighted a vessel with ‘Not under Control’ signals flying. Closed and found steam tug CANADA (56grt/1903) accompanying swimmer T. W. Burgess in his attempt to swim the Channel. On being told what was happening and that he was a Yorkshireman the Hull men gave Burgess an encouraging cheer, with shouts of “Good old Yorkshireman”. (Burgess swam 42 miles in 18 hours but failed to reach the French coast).
19.9.1906: At Hull Admiralty Court, Mr John Short (Mr John S Cole – MNL) owner of the steamship BRIAR of London, claimed £234 from the Cargill Steam Trawling Co Ltd, owners of the steam trawler COLONIAL EMPIRE, for loss of freight and damage (three shell plates/frames damaged, and other minor damage) through collision caused by the default of the trawler. After hearing evidence the Judge found that the sole cause of the collision was the trawler trying to pass too close to the BRIAR and found for the latter vessel on the claim and counter claim, with costs.
26.12.1907: In the afternoon arrived Aberdeen in tow of Hull trawler DUKE of WELLINGTON (H288) picked up in the evening of 24th December disabled, having lost her propeller in heavy weather some 30 miles N of Hoy Head while entering the Pentland Firth on her way home.
27.12.1907: At Aberdeen landed 40 boxes and 14 score.
1910: Fishing out of Hull.
From 3 – 6.1911: Fishing out of Fleetwood.
9.3.1911: Landed 60 boxes (1 soles).
14.3.1911: Landed 46 boxes.
28.3.1911: Landed 40 boxes.
31.3.1911: Landed 60 boxes.
3.4.1911: Landed 40 boxes.
25.4.1911: Landed 60 boxes.
22.5.1911: Landed 40 boxes (10 soles).
12.6.1911: Landed 30 boxes (3 soles).
21.6.1911: Landed 22 boxes (4 soles).
29.6.1911: Last landing at Fleetwood, 40 boxes (2 soles).
12.1911: Sold to N.V. F Maatschappij Praxis III, IJmuiden (C. Maas, J. Print & G. Carst).
12.12.1911: Hull registry closed. Registered at IJmuiden as PALLAS (IJM84). Fishing out of IJmuiden.
29.5.1922: Landed, made 1415 guilders gross.
28.2.1924: Landed, made 2820 guilders (£245) gross.
4.11.1926: Landed, made 2892 guilders gross.
6.6.1927: Landed made 1940 guilders gross.
16.8.1929: Landed made 1731 guilders gross.
25.3.1931: Landed 50 baskets made 1200 guilders (£107) gross.
3.8.1936: Reported sold to breakers at Hendrik-Ido-Ambracht, along with POSEIDON (IJM740 and INVIERNO (IJM158).
1936: IJmuiden registry closed.

Changelog
05/08/2021: Page published.