The Bosun's Watch

Additional material courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 161639
Yard Number: 251
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 138
Net Tonnage: 64
Length: 95.0 ft
Breadth: 20.6 ft
Depth: 9.8 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co (R.H. Hutchinson), Gt Yarmouth (Engine No.618)
Boiler: Riley Bros (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees
Built: King’s Lynn Slipway Co Ltd, King’s Lynn

History

1930: Launched by King’s Lynn Slipway Co Ltd, King’s Lynn (Yd.No.251) for Henry James Eastick, Gorleston as LYDIA EVA. Towed to Gt. Yarmouth for machinery fit.
22.7.1930: Engine trials.
23.7.1930: Registered at Yarmouth (YH89).
26.7.1930: Mortgaged to Barclays Bank Ltd, City of London (A).
8.1930: Completed (Built at King’s Lynn by Tyneside labour due to industrial action at Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth).
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agents). (Fished more successfully as a trawler as herring drift nets damaged by bluff bow. Also used as a herring carrier).
11.10.1937: At Yarmouth landed 221 crans of herring.
12.1938: Last landing at Yarmouth.
21.10.1939: Sold to South Caernarvonshire Yacht Co Ltd, Pwllhelli for £800 under mortgage (A). Converted and re classified as a salvage vessel for Air Ministry contract associated with Pwllheli and other West coast Bombing & Gunnery Ranges.
18.1.1940: Mortgaged to Barclays Bank Ltd, City of London (B).
1940: South Caernarvonshire Yacht Co Ltd t/a Western Marine Craft Ltd, Pwllheli.
10.12.1942: Requisitioned for war service with Ministry of Aircraft Production (Hire rate £50.0.0d/month).
27.5.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T (Ministry of Aircraft Production). Further converted at Abersoch for cargo with strengthened main mast and derrick (John Deheer Ltd, Grimsby (Pwllheli), manager).
4.9.1943: Yarmouth registry closed except as far as relates to mortgage (B). “Registry no longer required”.
9.1943: Registered at London.
1943-1945: Based Abersoch, Pwllheli and Ilfracombe.
1945: Transferred to Maryport, attendant to Mawbray Bombing Range.
1947: Transferred to Weymouth.
1.4.1947: Sold to Air Ministry, London. Registered at London as WATCHMOOR.
1948-1952: Based Milford, Watchet, Appledore, London, Cardiff and Pembroke Dock.
1952: Transferred to Whitehaven.
21.12.1965: Proposed to transfer all MOD (Air) vessels to MOD (Navy).
1966: Rebuilt on Tyneside with new wheelhouse and new boiler by Stockton Chemical Engineers & Riley Boilers Ltd, Stockton on Tees (Boiler made 1961).
1.4.1966: Transferred to Director of Marine Services (DMS), Bath. British registry closed. Based Pembroke Dock, crew on D606 articles.
27. 6.1966: In Cardigan Bay experienced engine problems. EMPIRE NETTA (290grt/1945) connected and delivered Holyhead.
1967-1968: Various duties as required by DMS.
1968: Declared surplus to requirements. De-equipped and laid up at Pembroke Dock.
1969: Sold to Turner & Hickman Ltd, Glasgow.
1972: Sold to The Maritime Trust. Docked and overhauled in Penzance by Holman & Sons Ltd.
1.10.1972: Arrived Gt. Yarmouth.
1972: Registered at Yarmouth as LYDIA EVA.
1973: Rebuilt by George Overy Ltd, Lowestoft.
1973-1978: Following partial restoration at Lowestoft, static display at Gt. Yarmouth.
1978-1986: Static display at St. Katherine’s Dock, London.
1986-1990: Exhibition closed. Laid up in West India Dock.
1989: Lydia Eva Charitable Trust formed.
1990: Sold to Trust for £1.00.
30.6.1990: Arrived Gt. Yarmouth in tow of HECTOR READ (65grt/1966).
2000: Slipped at Lowestoft but on survey found to need extensive shell plate renewals. Laid up in Lake Lothing.
12.2006: Application for Heritage Lottery Funding successful (£839,000).
1.3.2007-18.3.2008: Slipped by Small & Co (Marine & Engineering) Ltd, Lowestoft for survey and 60% shell plating and some frame renewals, deck relaid, electrical installation update, start of machinery overhaul.
9.2008: Towed to Gt. Yarmouth for Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival.
10.2008: Returned to Lowestoft.
10.2008-20.5.2009: At Small & Co (Marine & Engineering) Ltd, Lowestoft to complete boilerwork, museum and after cabin fit out.
3.2009: In steam, successful boiler trial.
20.5.2009: Returned to Gt. Yarmouth.
12.2009: Arrived Lowestoft from Gt. Yarmouth under tow.
12.2009-2010: Continued refurbishment by Small & Co (Marine & Engineering) Ltd, Lowestoft.
3.2010: Successful steaming trials in Lake Lothing.
15.5.2010: Steamed to Gt. Yarmouth. Open to visitors.
14.12.2010: Steamed to Lowestoft for further work by Small & Co Ltd. Laid over adjacent to Laundry Lane slip.

Click to see Lydia Eva under steam
Video courtesy of CanaryCity (YouTube)

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© Copyright Chris Allen and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

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Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 146044
Yard Number: 568
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 96
Net Tonnage: 41
Length: 86.2 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
T.3-cyl and boiler by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Built: A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

1919: Launched by A. Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.568) ) (“Admiralty drifter”) for The Admiralty as WATERSHED (Ad.No.4127).
18.10.1919: Completed as a fishing vessel.
24.10.1919: Transferred to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, London for disposal.
23.12.1919: Registered at Lowestoft on Part IV Register (LT628).
27.7.1921: Lowestoft registry closed By Order of Chief Registrar of Shipping. “To be registered under Part I in London”.
7.1921: Registered at London (No.401 of1921) as a commercial vessel.
9.1921: Sold to Savoy Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby.
9.1921: London registry closed.
12.9.1921: Registered at Grimsby (GY1302).
26.6.1922: Registered at Grimsby as SALVIAN (GY1302).
4.1923: Sold to Havre Pêcheries Co, Havre.
7.5.1923: Grimsby registry closed.
5.1923: Registered at Le Havre as SANVIE.
1924: Sold to James Ritchie, Gardenstown & others. Le Havre registry closed. Registered at Banff as CONVALLARIA (BF51).
27.11.1930: Sold to George Hitcham Catchpole, Lowestoft.
11.1930: Banff registry closed.
27.11.1930: Registered at Lowestoft (LT247).
9.7.1931: Sold to Stanley Edward Catchpole, Lowestoft.
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agent).
30.3.1937: Re-possessed by mortgagee Peacock & Co (Lowestoft) Ltd, Lowestoft (Frederick Beane, manager).
12.8.1938: Sold to James Ritchie, Fraserburgh.
22.8.1938: Lowestoft registry closed.
3.9.1938: Registered at Banff (BF497).
1939: Sold to Mrs Jane A. Ritchie, Fraserburgh & others.
10.4.1940: requisitioned for war service on harbour defence patrol (Hire rate £17.17.10d/month).
10.1943: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
1946: Sold to Albert Sutton & A. R. Sutton, Scarborough.
26.3.1946: Returned to owners. Fishing from Lowestoft.
1954: Sold for breaking up. Banff registry closed.

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Drifter/Trawler
Additional material courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 135090
Yard Number: 154
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 99
Net Tonnage: 42
Length: 87.80 ft
Breadth: 18.7 ft
Depth: 9.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Boiler: Riley Brothers (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees

History

1914: Launched by Livingstone & Cooper Ltd, Hessle (Yd.No.154) for John Thomas Cullen Salmon, Gt. Yarmouth as THE MAJESTY.
22.9.1914: Registered at Yarmouth (YH25).
10.1914: Completed for The Crown Steam Drifters Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth (George Herbert Hansell, manager).
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1033). Based Larne.
1919: Returned to owner.
1920s: Seasonal trawling from Fleetwood.
7.6.1924: Sold to Harry Baxter (16/64), Lowestoft; Edward Catchpole (16/64), Kessingland; Charles William Dance (16/64) and John Utting (16/64), Lowestoft (Edward Catchpole, manager).
16.6.1924: Yarmouth registry closed.
17.6.1924: Registered at Lowestoft (LT65).
16.7.1924: Registered at Lowestoft as FELLOWSHIP (LT65).
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood (Alex Keay, managing agent).
6.3.1931: Off Padstow, broke rudder.
6.3.1931: Damaged in collision with OCEAN RAMBLER (YH727) in Padstow Harbour.
21.8.1933: At Fraserburgh with damaged propeller.
21.8.1933: Connected to BOY SCOUT (LT17) disabled and delivered Lerwick.
2.8.1938: At Lerwick with damaged propeller.
1939: R. Catchpole, Lowestoft appointed manager.
16.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
1940: To Mediterranean as a minesweeping drifter (Hire rate £27.13.6d/month). Based Suda Bay (Ty S/Lieut. S. Barrie RNR).
7.1941: Based Suez Canal area with M/S Group 40 (Ty S/Lieut E. Saul RNVR).
24.10.1941: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
1946: FATE.

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Drifter/Trawler
Additional information courtesy of Barry Johnson

Technical

Official Number: 149244
Yard Number: 293
Completed: 1930
Gross Tonnage: 116
Net Tonnage: 51
Length: 92.3 ft
Breadth: 20.1 ft
Depth: 9.4 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Wm. Burrell & Co, Gt. Yarmouth
Boiler: Riley Brothers (Boilermakers) Ltd, Stockton on Tees
Built: Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co (1927) Ltd, Goole

History

28.6.1930: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co (1927) Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.293) for Lowestoft Steam Herring Drifters Co Ltd, Lowestoft as LORD COLLINGWOOD.
9.1930: Completed.
13.9.1930: Registered at Lowestoft (LT183).
1930s: Seasonal fishing from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agents).
4.9.1939: Requisitioned for war service on contraband control (Hire rate £65.7.10d/month).
30.5.1940: Sailed Yarmouth with twelve other drifters for Ramsgate.
31.5.1940: Sailed Ramsgate for Dunkirk. Evacuated Allied troops and landed at Ramsgate.
9.1940: Employed on DEMS training.
10.1940: Employed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
21.9.1943: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (B. A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager) when Basil Parkes bought Lowestoft Steam Herring Drifters Ltd.
2.1944: Re-deployed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
12.1944: Re-deployed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
2.1945: Re-deployed on miscellaneous Naval duties.
13.2.1946: Returned to owner (Maj. A. W. Suddaby MBE, Gorleston, manager).
1946: Leased to Poland under U.N.R.& R. Scheme. Lowestoft registry closed. Registered at Gdynia as APOLONIUSZ (GDY109). Trawling from Gt. Yarmouth with local skippers.
1.6.1949: Sold to Arthur W. Eastoe, Ronald C. Cook & Richard H. Golby, Lowestoft and John Odde, East Molesey. Gdynia registry closed.
1949: Registered at Lowestoft as LORD COLLINGWOOD (LT34).
8.1949: Sold to Westenborg Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (Herman Westenborg, manager). Lowestoft registry closed.
27.7.1949: Registered at Milford (M42).
21.12.1954: Sold to St. Anne’s Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Herman Westenborg, manager).
11.3.1958: Completed trials after conversion by L.B.S. Engineering Co Ltd, Lowestoft fitted with 318bhp 4 stroke 6-cyl oil engine by Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day Ltd, Stockport.
26.7.1962: Put into Fishguard due to ingress of water in engineroom. Local Fire Brigade attended. At 9.30 am. sailed for Milford with fireman and pump onboard.
9.11.1964: Fishing off Tuskar Rock Lighthouse (Sk. Ted Bowles), when hauling discovered mine in trawl. Dropped mine back in sea but wire parted and caught deckhand Harry Spriggs dragging him overboard. Managed to free himself and hauled back onboard. Spriggs landed at Rosslare, Co. Wexford for hospital treatment, but no serious injury.
20.10.1966: Suffered slight fire damage while alongside at Milford.
17.7.1969: Sold to Norrard Trawlers Ltd, Milford Haven (Frederick John Ingram, manager).
5.1970: Sold to Hughes Bolckow Ltd, Blyth for breaking up.
3.6.1970: Sailed Milford (Sk. Walter Robson) for Blyth in company with ASCONA (LT108) (Sk. Jack Utting) also sold for breaking.
8.6.1970: Delivered Blyth.
26.1.1972: Milford registry closed.

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Drifter/Trawler
Additional material courtesy of Barry Banham

Official Number: 130033
Yard Number: 202
Completed: 1911
Gross Tonnage: 93
Net Tonnage: 39
Length: 87.3 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.1 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Boiler: Thomas Sudron & Co Ltd, Stockton on Tees
Built: Dundee Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Dundee

History

1911: Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Yd.No.202) for Herring Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft.
6.1911: Completed (William Thomas Tripp, Kessingland, manager).
20.6.1911: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1136).
9.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr HA) (Ad.No.1848).
12.1915: Renamed CYCLAMEN II.
1919: Returned to owner and reverted to CYCLAMEN (LT1136).
From 1925: Seasonal trawling from Padstow and Milford.
21.8.1927: Fishing Small’s grounds 5 miles NNE of St. Ann’s Head connected to Milford trawler LINCOLNIA (FD118) disabled with machinery defect. Towed to Milford arriving same day.
28.10.1927: Sidney James Tripp appointed manager.
1930s: Seasonal trawling from Padstow, Milford and Fleetwood (Lowestoft Fish Selling Co Ltd, Lowestoft, managing agents).
1938: Sold to Arthur C. Mitchell (13/64); William Wilcox (13/64); Kenneth Llewellin (13/64); William Henry Kerr (13/64), all Milford Haven and George Mitchell (12/64), Lowestoft (Arthur C. Mitchell, managing owner).
11.1957: Sold to Belgium for breaking up.
6.11.1957: Sailed Lowestoft for Bruges.
22.11.1957: Lowestoft registry closed.

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