Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

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.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.

S.T. Bedouin – A601

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 115584
Yard Number: 112
Completed: 1902
Gross Tonnage: 199.77
Net Tonnage: 54.21
Length: 115.0 ft
Breadth: 21.65 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Scott of Kinghorn Ltd, Kinghorn, Fife
Engine: 400ihp T.3-cyl by W.V. V. Lidgerwood, Glasgow

History

15.12.1902: Launched by Miss Ingram, Aberdeen with machinery installed and fitted out at Scott of Kinghorn Ltd, Kinghorn, Fife (Yd.No.112) for The North Sea Steam Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen as BEDOUIN.
16.12.1902: At Leith for bunker coal.
17.12.1902: Arrived Aberdeen.
19.12.1902: Registered at Aberdeen (A601). W. L. Stewart, Edinburgh and John Mortimer, Aberdeen, designated managers.
22.12.1902: Sailed Aberdeen for a trial trip with guests of Mr Mortimer onboard, returning in the afternoon.
1903: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
22.1.1903: Landed 100 boxes 4 score.
25.2.1903: In stormy weather, arrived Fraserburgh (Sk. Smith) for supplies.
27.2.1903: James Allan (37), Mate, Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen was drowned in the harbour shortly after midnight. The weather was wild and very dark and he had left the trawler to visit a friend in the trawler ANNIE WALKER (A479) but missed his footing at the corner of Saltoun Jetty near the Fish Market and fell in the dock. His cries were heard and the alarm raised by John Ross, 2nd Eng of the ANNIE WALKER. A large number of seamen were quickly on the scene and a man jumped in to the dock but failed to rescue him.
4.4.1903: Landed 90 boxes and 40 score.
6.6.1903: Landed 214 boxes and 16 score.
26.10.1903: Landed 250 boxes and 10 score.
16.11.1903: Landed 140 boxes and 16 score.
1904: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
16.1.1904: Landed 60 boxes and 5 score.
18.1.1904: While lying at Blaikie’s Quay the stop valve on the boiler burst. John Rae, 2nd Eng who had been working on the boiler was scalded on his arms and taken to the Infirmary for attention.
18.2.1904: At Aberdeen Police Court, C. Percy Hanson, trawl master, Macrone Road ,Torry, was charged with having on the 19th of February, on board the trawler, lying at Blaikie’s Quay, assaulted Joseph Waugh, fisherman. Waugh had been placed on a company ‘black list’ following complaints by Hanson. Waugh had gone onboard the trawler to find out why he was on the list. The skipper was not in the cabin and Waugh was speaking with the Ch. Eng when he was allegedly assaulted from behind by the skipper. Waugh stated that he did not see the skipper come on board and he never threatened him. Several witnesses, however, stated that Waugh was the aggressor and that the accused had severe provocation. The Magistrates imposed a fine of 40s with the alternative of twenty days imprisonment.
30.8.1904: Alongside Matthews’ Quay, Aberdeen. Suffered damage to stem when contacted by steamer PRINCESS BEATRICE (982grt/1893) which having left the inner dock and in drawing up to the quay east of the trawler collided with the stem. Damage estimated at £8.
20.9.1904: Landed 230 boxes and 18 score.
21.10.1904: Reported that at Aberdeen Small Debt Court, Sk. Frank Parsons sued the The North Sea Steam Co Ltd for payment of £3.1s being coal money and the balance of wages due to him as late master of the BEDOUIN belonging to the company. The accuracy of the amount was questioned by the defendants as it was said 15s was owed to them for damage to cushion covers, which had not been reported by the skipper and this should be deducted from the sum. Agent for Parsons, while objecting to the relevancy of this defence, also contended that the proposed deduction being of the nature of damages ought to have been the subject of a separate counter claim. This contention was upheld by the Sheriff and discerned in favour of Parsons.
30.11.1904: Landed 200 boxes and 20 score.
1905: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
21.8.1905: Landed 180 boxes and 90 score.
6.10.1905: Landed 170 boxes 70 score.
5.11.1905: Homeward in strong winds from the fishing grounds with a good catch, between 5.00am and 6.00am stranded on Braga Rock, Hoy Sound. Sea was relatively calm, boat launched and kedge anchor laid out but with the ebb she remained fast. The stranding only a few miles north of the point where the Aberdeen trawler SUNSHINE (A322)) had stranded the week before. Engaged in salvage work on the SUNSHINE was the trawler STRATHBLANE (A431) which proceeded to assist; at about 3.30pm towed off. Owing to a strong gale which had sprung up both vessels took shelter in Stromness Harbour.
6.11.1905: Found not making water and sailed in the afternoon for Aberdeen.
7.11.1905: Arrived Aberdeen, landed catch and placed in dry dock. No serious damage found and not making water.
28.12.1905: Landed 220 boxes and 61/2 tons side fish.
1906: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
9.1.1906: Landed 150 boxes and 61/2 tons loose.
6.3.1906: Landed 100 boxes and 25 score.
22.3.1906: After working the Iceland grounds, landed two very large ungutted cod, 3’ 7” long at 66lb and 4’ 10” long at 91lb respectively. The largest cod previously landed was 60lb. The fish was purchased by Mr George Mortimer.
9.6.1906: Landed 150 boxes and 400 score.
1.8.1906: Landed 240 boxes and 23 score.
8.10.1906: Landed 240 boxes and 12 score.
12.12.1906: Landed 190 boxes and 6 score.
22.12.1906: Arrived Lerwick escorted by fishery cruiser MINNA (Capt Mackenzie). In the afternoon at Lerwick Sheriff Court, Sk. Christian Pedersen pleaded guilty to trawling within the three mile limit south side of Fair Isle that day. Fined £75 with the alternative of forty days imprisonment and confiscation of the starboard trawl.
1908: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
8.1.1908: Landed 140 boxes and 15 score.
24.3.1908: In collision with steamer MARS (1644grt/1905); plates and stanchions damaged.
7.4.1908: Landed 250 boxes and 600 score.
27.8.1908: Landed 270 boxes and 8 score.
9.11.1908: Landed 300 boxes and 20 score.
25.12.1908: Landed 140 boxes and 12 score.
1909: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
13.2.1909: Landed 150 boxes and 1 ton loose.
1.9.1909: From West of Ireland grounds, when some 17 miles WbyS from Coningbeg Light off Co. Wexford, in collision with Glasgow steamer ARDCHATTAN (264grt/1905). Damage to stem.
12.10.1909: Arrived Aberdeen and reported that Alexander Stewart, deck hand of 9 Grampian Road, Aberdeen had been lost overboard and drowned. Engaged in fishing off Rumblin’ Rocks, Shetland, at about 10.30pm on 10th October, the fore warp of the starboard gear parted. A leech line was cast in order to heave the gear on board, part of which was lying on deck, with the remainder hanging over the side. Stewart was standing on the fishing gear on deck and when the line broke he went over the side with the gear. The net was made fast and a line was thrown to him and he was hauled to the ship’s side. Unfortunately his feet became entangled in the meshes and he could not be taken onboard. Whilst in this position a heavy sea swept him off the net and he gradually drifted away. The skipper cruised about until after midnight but there was no trace of Stewart. It was Stewart’s first trip on the BEDOUIN having only joined her on 6th October on leaving Aberdeen.
1910: Fishing out of Aberdeen and landing into Fleetwood from local and Irish West Coast grounds as required.
22.8.1910: At Fleetwood landed 143 boxes.
16.9.1910: At Aberdeen landed from West of Ireland, 13 tons including 220 pairs of black soles and 20 score turbot, approx £200 gross.
28.9.1910: At Fleetwood landed 275 boxes and 143 turbot.
12.12.1910: At Fleetwood landed 86 boxes.
6.1.1911: At Aberdeen landed 60 boxes and 34 score.
1911: Fishing out of Aberdeen and landing into Fleetwood from local and Irish West Coast grounds as required.
30.1.1911: At Fleetwood landed 56 boxes.
6.3.1911: At Fleetwood landed 76 boxes.
31.3.1911: Sold to Thomas Leishman Devlin, Edinburgh. Thomas L. Devlin designated managing owner.
10.4.1911: At Aberdeen landed 171/2 tons.
2.10.1911: At Aberdeen landed 200 boxes and 10cwt.
1912: Fishing out of Granton.
10.2.1913: At Aberdeen landed 25 boxes.
27.6.1913: Arrived Aberdeen in tow of steam trawler PROCYON (A890) having been picked up disabled with lost propeller.
19.7.1913: Aberdeen registry closed.
7.1913: Registered at Granton (GN80).
1914: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
23.3.1914: Landed from a 10 day Home ground trip, about £140 gross.
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (Ad.No.353). Based Buncrana, Co. Donegal.
13.2.1915: Sailed Sheephaven Bay, Co Donegal (Sk. George Hollins RNR) with other minesweeping trawlers to once again sweep the minefield (approx 200 mines) laid on 23.10.1914 off Tory Island, Co. Donegal by the former Norddeutscher Lloyd steamer Berlin (17324grt/1908) (converted to a fast minelayer and commerce raider) (Capt Hans Pfundheller). At about 3.55pm when recovering the sweep saw at least one mine snagged in the gear as it broke surface on the starboard quarter. Order given to veer away but mine exploded blowing away much of the starboard side aft, started to settle and foundered stern first. All crew picked up safely by other trawlers and landed at Buncrana. Granton registry closed.

Changelog
29/07/2021: Page published.

S.T. Johanna Elisabeth IJM99

Occasional visitor
Additional information courtesy of Jan Harteveld

Technical

Yard Number: 60
Completed: 1904
Gross Tonnage: 222
Net Tonnage: 63
Length: 57,92 (129.0)
Breadth: 6,77 (22.2)
Depth: 2,56 (8.4) metres (feet)
Built: Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Nederlandsche Fabriek van Werktuigen en Spoorweg-Materieel, Amsterdam

History

1904: Completed by Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam (Yd.No.60) for Maatschappij Friesland, IJmuiden (Maatschappij “De Zeven Provinciën“) (C. Planteydt Tz) as JOHANNA ELISABETH.
11.1904: Completed. Registered at IJmuiden (IJM99).
1908: Sold to Algemeene Visscherij Maatschappij, IJmuiden.
17.5.1910: Landed at Fleetwood 50 boxes.
1920: Sold to Vereenigde Exploitatie Maatschappij, IJmuiden.
At beginning of 1930s: Laid up at IJmuiden in the Haringhaven.
1936: Sold for breaking up. IJmuiden registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Johanna Elisabeth IJM99

S.T. Johanna Elisabeth IJM99
Picture courtesy of The Jan Harteveld Collection

Changelog
20/07/2021: Page published.

S.T. Brothertoft – BN81

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 98292
Yard Number: 350
Completed: 1891
Gross Tonnage: 155
Net Tonnage: 63
Length: 100.6 ft
Breadth: 20.5 ft
Depth: 11.0 ft
Built: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Engine: T.3-cyl & boiler by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull

History

27.6.1891: Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull (Yd.No.350) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Boston as BROTHERTOFT.
8.1891: Completed. James Bloomfield designated manager.
1904: Fred Donnison designated manager.
1909: James Donaldson designated manager.
1910: Fishing out of Fleetwood (Fred Donnison, Fleetwood managing agent).
6.3.1911: At Fleetwood landed 62 boxes (1 box soles).
2.6.1911: At Fleetwood landed 58 boxes (10 boxes soles).
1915: Daniel Walker designated manager.
4.2.1916: At Boston Borough Police Court, for refusing to go to sea in the BROTHERTOFT after signing articles, Herbert Fox, fisherman, Rosegarth Street was sentenced to two months hard labour and Walter Priestley, fishermen, Alfred Street to one month imprisonment.
8.9.1916: At Boston Borough Police Court, Sk. James Bartholomew was charged with causing the trawler BROTHERTOFT to enter an area prohibited by The Admiralty on 15th August; pleaded guilty and fined £20 with £2. 12. 6d costs.
9.3.1917: At Boston Borough Police Court, Sk. James Bartholomew was charged with causing the trawler BROTHERTOFT to enter an area prohibited by The Admiralty on 6th February. Bartholomew stated that he knew that he was close to the area but not that he was so far over the line. With a previous conviction he was fined £20 with £4. 4s costs.
4.1917: On a North Sea trip (Sk. P. Hancock); ten crew all told. When off SE Scotland reportedly captured by U.boat. Date unknown, fate unknown. All crew lost*.

Possibly: 15.4.1917: On a North Sea trip (Sk. P. Hancock); ten crew all told. When off SE Scotland in approximate position 55.50N 01.30E, closed by U.boat (UC31) either sunk by shellfire and crew killed or sunk by explosive charges, crew abandoned in boat. All crew lost.

Crew Lost: * Sk. P. Hancock, 17 Stirling Street, Grimsby; J. Ringwood (40), 34 Wheelsby Street, Grimsby, Second Hand, P. Sullivan (30), Blue Street, Boston, Third Hand; T. Hack (30), Mount Bridge, Boston, Ch.Eng; Alec Rupert Kierton (36), 74 Harlaxton Road, Grantham, 2nd Eng; John Spencer Newman (18), 64 Beccles Road, Gorleston, F Norman (36), Norfolk, J. Smith (16), Grimsby, Deckhands; A. Sanderson (17), 185 Alexander Road, Grimsby, Fireman; Charles William Upcraft (62), 4 Muster Lane, Skirbeck, Boston, Cook/Steward.

Changelog
18/07/2021: Page published.