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sv Susannah – GY37

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 50315
Completed: 1865
Net Tonnage: 26.74nrt
Length: 54.5
Breadth: 14.4
Depth: 7.1 feet
Rig: Smack

History

1865: Completed at Newhaven for W. R. Bennett, Newhaven as SUSANNAH.
8.1.1866: Registered at Newhaven.
1867: Sold to John R. Mackrill & Moses Wooley, Cleethorpes. Newhaven registry closed. Registered at Grimsby (GY242).
12.1868: Sold to T. Bailey, Grimsby.
12.1868: Sold to Moses Wooley, Cleethorpes.
3.1869: Reregistered at Grimsby (GY37).
4.1870: Sold to Jabez Wooley, Leeds.
18.7.1870: At Grimsby Yacht and Smack Regatta, took part in the race for Class 2 smacks, (Jabez Wooley, skipper). The first prize was a purse of £10, the second, £5. In the lead at the Newsand buoy but failed to complete the course.
9.1876: Sold to Benjamin Holt, Villa House, London Street, Fleetwood.
2.11.1877: By Mr. R. WESTBY. Ship Shares on Sale. Mr. R. WESTBY has received instructions to SELL BY AUCTION at his Sale Room, East Street, Fleetwood, on MONDAY November 5, 1877, the following VESSELS and SHARES belonging to the port of Fleetwood. : – 8/64 in the fishing smack “GEORGE and LIZZIE,” 8/64 in the fishing smack “SCOTIAN,” 8/64 in the fishing smack, “MARGARET,” …. the whole of the fishing smack “EMBLEM,” and the whole of the fishing smack “SUSANNAH.” The whole of the above vessels are in first-class condition, and in thorough working order. Sale to commence at Two o’clock in the afternoon.
9.11.1877: Reported that there was a very good attendance at the auction but no real bona fide sales were effected. The whole of the smack was put up for sale, but no reasonable offer was forthcoming.
14.12.1877: A sale by auction, of interest to fish dealers and others took place in the Sale Rooms, East Street, Fleetwood, Mr R. Westby was the auctioneer. … The fishing smack “SUSANNAH,” of Grimsby was next put up for competition, but failed to bring any reasonable offer. The reserve for this second smack was £150. This sale was by order of the mortgagee.
2.1878: Sold to George F. Nicholson, 38 James Street, Whitehaven. Grimsby registry closed. Registered at Whitehaven (WN??).
25.9.1883: Sailed Whitehaven for the fishing grounds (crew Thomas M’Lean, William Brasted, Thomas Crewdson and George Weaver) in company with the Whitehaven smack VIVID. Believed to have foundered along with the VIVID, in the gale and heavy weather which sprung up later that day. Over a period, deck planking and other parts of the smack washed up at Flimby, south of Maryport.
17.10.1883: Body, believed to be that of Thomas Crewdson washed up at Maryport. Two other bodies washed up near Flimby, one half a mile west of St. Helen’s, Flimby and the other near Flimby railway station.
18.10.1883: Another body found at Maryport possibly that of Reuben (sic) Ball (Stephen Ball) of the Fleetwood smack EMBLEM (FD146) washed overboard in the same gale on 26.9.1883.
18.10.1883: An inquest was held at the Ship Inn, Seaton touching the deaths of four men, supposed to have been drowned during the gale which occurred on 25th of September. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the first three men found had been accidentally drowned, but there was no evidence whether the body of the third man was that of M’Lean or Moore (cook in the smack VIVID). With regard to the fourth man, an open verdict was returned.
10.1883: Whitehaven registry closed.

Changelog
08/11/2023: Page published.

sv Pursuit – FD4

Technical

O.N.17219.
Registered net tonnage: 34
Net tonnage: 29
Rig: Smack

History

W/c 22.08.1825: Launched by Miller, Cowes for Trinity Board pilot William Bridge as PURSUIT.
25.11.1840: Arrived Cowes with disabled ship EVERETHA (Capt Darley) from Sydney, in tow, picked up under jury rig with total loss of foremast and main and mizzen topmasts, ten days previously. Cargo wool and mail.
By 1840: Arrived Fleetwood from Cowes to supplement the Lancaster pilot boat GUIDE which also worked at Fleetwood. With little commercial traffic, equipped with beam trawl and engaged in fishing, breaking off to board a pilot as required. The first smack to trawl out of Fleetwood.
From 1843: On hire to The Admiralty as required, Capt. H. Denham and Cdr J Richards RN conducting survey, Formby Point to Firth of Solway. Chart published 9th August 1850.
10.1854: Sold to Robert Roskell & others trading as The Fleetwood Fishing Company.
21.10.1854: Registered at Fleetwood (FD4).
By 1860: Owned by Robert Wilson, Fleetwood.
4.2.1862: When some 20 miles west of Blackpool (Sk. R. Wilson) picked up 3 puncheons of whisky marked “McNab, Glenochil” or “John Bold, Carse Bridge”.
5.2.1862: Landed at Fleetwood to Mr Walker, Receiver of Wrecks for the District, total landed by all fishing boats, 39 puncheons, some 7,100 gallons of proof spirits, the duty of which would be upwards of £3,500. Value ex duty from £800 to £900, the boats would expect to receive salvage of one third.
By 1884: Stripped and abandoned at Fleetwood. Fleetwood registry closed.

Changelog
14/07/2023: Page published.

S.D/T. Floreat – BCK25

Additional information courtesy of Andy Hall and Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 128357
Yard Number: 54
Completed: 1908
Gross Tonnage: 93
Net Tonnage: 32
Length: 86.00 ft
Breadth: 18.60 ft
Depth: 9.7 ft
Engine: C.2-cyl by Vauxhall & West Hydraulic Co, Luton

History

5.1908: Completed by Charlton & Doughty Ltd, Grimsby (Yd.No.54) as a drifter for Alexander Reid, Portgordon & others as FLOREAT.
4.6.1908: Registered at Buckie (BCK25). Alexander Reid managing owner and skipper.
25.7.1908: In Balta Sound, Unst, Shetland, collided with sail boat FLOWER o’ BUCHAN (FR945); both vessels sustained damage.
21.3.1909: Sailed Portgordon for Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.
18.5.1910: John Henderson, fireman, 8 Duff Street, Inverness was injured when the drifter was on passage from Stornoway to Inverness and near Kirkwall. Henderson, who was in the engineroom, lost his balance when the ship gave a slight lurch and his right foot slipped between the well plates and the crank pinion crushing his ankle. Henderson weekly earnings were 32s and as a result of the accident, the owner paid compensation up to 14th October 1912 after which he was offered a lump sum of £10 to discharge any claim in full. This settlement was refused.
5 & 26.11.1913: At Banff Sheriff Court a case was brought by Henderson for further compensation for his accident but on account of conflicting medical evidence the case was adjourned for further investigation.
29.12.1913: At Banff Sheriff Court the adjourned case was reviewed on the confirmation by the medical referee that Henderson’s incapacity was entirely as a result of his accident on 18th May 1910. The Sheriff found for the pursuer that he was entitled to further compensation in that he could only do light work. To be paid 15s per week from 14th October 1912 to 21st March 1914 and thereafter at the rate of 10s per week. The pursuer also entitled to expenses.
5.6.1915: Picked up nine man crew of Aberdeen steam trawler EBENEZER (A892) sunk by U.boat the previous day in the North Sea and landed them at Lerwick.
6.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a net drifter (1-3pdr) (AD.No.2204). Based Malta.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Buckie.
8.12.1921: At about 5.00pm, against a NW wind, left Cluny Harbour, Buckie with six sail boats in tow. Before reaching the Mucks, three boats cast off and made sail, the other three being towed past the beacon, when the third boat, SPEEDWELL (WK76), Sk. William Bain, parted her tow rope and was swept towards the reef. The Buckpool steam drifter VINTAGE (BF574), Sk.James Slater Snr with steam up, witnessed the incident and left the quay at best speed with the crew clearing away the punt, steamed to windward of the SPEEDWELL which was now on the rocks, holed and heeled over. The punt was launched with James Slater Jnr, Alex Grant, Peter Bruce and William Hay and with a rope attached veered down on the wreck. At considerable risk they took onboard the crew, Wm. Bain, John Mackay, Donald Mackay, Angus Mackay Samuel Mathieson and Alex Bain and were hauled back to the VINTAGE. Landed in the outer basin.
18.5.1918: The South Fleetwood Fishing Co Ltd, London incorporated with an initial capital of £1,000 subsequently increased to £100,000, the issued capital being £63,705.
2.1919: Sold to South Fleetwood Fishing Co Ltd, London for the sum of £5,500.
2.1919: Alexander Reid designated manager with a salary of £500 per annum and 21/2% of profits, subsequently reduced to £300 per annum.
15.12.1921: Compulsory winding up order made on the petition of Charles Jeffs, Fleetwood, heard at Bankruptcy Buildings, London. Figures furnished by directors show liabilities in the neighbourhood of £18,955 and assets of £9,336. Because of difference of opinion as to who should be the liquidator, Court to appoint a liquidator.
16.12.1921: STEAM FISHING VESSELS. There will be exposed for Sale by Public Roup, within the DOUGLAS HOTEL, Aberdeen, on WEDNESDAY, 28th December 1921, at 12 o’clock noon – (1) STEAM TRAWLER “K. M. HARDY,” of Aberdeen; length B/P 138.8 feet; built 1919. (2) STEAM TRAWLER “M. J. REID,” of Aberdeen; length 138.7 feet; built 1919. (3) STEAM DRIFTER “FLOREAT,” of Buckie; length B/P 86 feet; built 1908. (4) STEAM DRIFTER “VICTORY,” of Banff; Length B/P 81.30 feet; built 1905. (5) STEAM DRIFTER “THE GORDONS,” of Buckie; length B/P 70 feet.
2.12.1923: Sold to Charles W. Wink & J. H. Wink, Grimsby. Buckie registry closed.
29.12.1923: Registered at Grimsby as (GY351). Charles W. Wink designated managing owner
1.1925: Sold to Walter Harold Beeley & others, Grimsby. Walter H. Beeley designated managing owner.
7.1929: Sold to John Wood, Portknockie & others.
4.7.1929: Grimsby registry closed.
7.1929: Registered at Banff (BF101). John Wood designated managing owner.
1933: Sold for breaking up. Banff registry closed.

Changelog
08/052023: Page published.
18/05/2023: Updated information.

sv Greenport – ?? ??

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 17223.
24 regd tons
Remeasured 20 tons.

History

1845: Completed by Richard Ashburner, Greenodd, Lancashire for Alfred Fell, Ulverston as GREENPORT.
24.2.1949: Registered at Liverpool O.N.17223.
9.5.1851: Landing at Fleetwood.
7.7.1856: Sailed on the morning tide for the fishing grounds. The wind was variable changing direction and freshening throughout the day. At about 11.30pm it started to blow from the north.
8.7.1856: At 12.30am a furious gale suddenly blew up and the Fleetwood fleet, 12 in number, which were lying off Black Combe, north of Duddon Estuary, received considerable damage. Mainsail split. The smacks then laid their vessels under snug canvas and the wind later being favourable for them to reach Fleetwood, left the area. Sailed with jib run up the mainmast.
10.7.1856: Arrived Fleetwood at noon. Most of the fleet had arrived home about 6.00 am without further damage.
26.7.1861: TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY, ONE-HALF of the FISHING SMACK “GREENPORT”; she is carvel built, copper fastened, well forwarding Sail and Fishing Tackle, and now Fishing. The above will be sold a bargain. – Application to be made to Mr.Edmund Porter, Ship Broker, &c, Fleetwood.
By 1865: Sold to John Williams, Port Madoc. Liverpool registry closed. Registered at Caernarvon.
1867: Sold to Hugh Hughes, Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.
5.4.1871: Sailed Porthdinllaen for Caernarvon (Hugh Hughes, master). Arrived Caernarvon same day.
1873: Sold to Hugh Jones, Sand Street, Pwllheli.
1883: Not in MNL under this name. FATE?

Changelog
28/01/2023: Page published

sv Countess WN115

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical
Official Number: Part IV registered
Owner: R. Leech & Co, Whitehaven Rig: Smack, trawling.

History

1887: Owned by R. Leech & Co, Whitehaven. Registered at Whitehaven (WN115).
10.2.1888: Reported sold to Robert Westby, Fleetwood.
By 6.1888: Sold to Mr. Cookson, Manchester. Fishing out of Fleetwood . George Fog skipper. 11.7.1888: In the morning trawling on the grounds near Morecambe Bay Lightship (Sk G. Fogg); five crew all told. One man and a boy on deck the rest below. At about 5.45am, the boy on deck observed smoke coming from the hold and raised the alarm. Attempts were at once made to enter the hold but owing to the volume of smoke which rushed through the hatch boards as the covers were removed, it was not possible. Efforts were made in the cabin to extinguish the fire but in less than ten minutes from the discovery of the fire it became obvious that the crew could do little more and the skipper ordered the punt to be put in the water. Despite the heavy sea running, the crew abandoned the smack. Standing off they could see that the smack was well ablaze and at about 7.30am. the mainmast fell overboard. The smack MARY ASHCROFT (FD24) (Sk. Mills) was in the vicinity and picked up the crew, taking the punt and the mainmast in tow they set a course for Fleetwood, arriving on the evening tide. The COUNTESS, completely burnt out sank in the late forenoon. The origin of the fire was not known, but it was supposed that the fire could have started because the bogey stove in the cabin was too close to the bulkhead. Position of wreck – Morecambe Bay Lightship, six miles NNW; Walney Light, 12 miles WNW; Foot of Wyre Lighthouse, 20 miles NW; 151/2 fathoms of water, soft bottom. Whitehaven registry closed.

Changelog
26/01/2023: Page published.