Category Archives: Steam Trawlers

S.T. Boston Fury GY153

In Boston (Fleetwood) ownership. Did not fish from the port

Technical

Official Number: 182661
Yard Number: 222
Completed: 1950
Gross Tonnage: 773
Net Tonnage: 278
Length: 190.6 ft
Breadth: 32.2 ft
Depth: 15.7 ft
Built: J. Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: 1271ihp T.3-cyl by J. Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (E.No.299)
Boiler: John G. Kincaid & Co Ltd, Greenock

History

1950: Launched by J. Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.222) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as BOSTON FURY.
31.8.1950: Trials.
9.1950: Completed.
9.1950: Registered at Grimsby (GY153). Basil Arthur Parkes appointed manager.
6.9.1950: Sailed Aberdeen. To fish out of Grimsby.
8.10.1950: Outward for fishing grounds off Norwegian coast (Sk. John Hobbs) in severe weather conditions, wind SW Force 9 and heavy seas. Shortly after 11.00 am. responded to distress call from London registered steamer FRED BORCHARD (1586grt/1935) (Capt Thomas Eggleston) Tromso (loaded at Mezen, Russia and Kem, Norway) for Thames with sawn timber, disabled with loss of steam, flooding and listing. Ship was some 25 miles away and on arrival at scene at approx. 1.34 pm., approached vessel surrounded by floating timber from deck stowage and listing to port but could not get alongside. Fired line over vessel which was secured but parted as steamer lurched over to starboard. In so doing the starboard lifeboat floated clear and a crew member jumped in. Came round stern of vessel and picked up man from boat at which time vessel came over on her beam ends. Crew members, all wearing lifejackets, jumped into the water as the vessel capsized. With superb seamanship Sk. Hobbs went in amongst the floating timber and with five of the trawler’s crew on lifelines on the timber succeeded in picking up twenty-seven of the twenty-nine man crew *. Position of capsize, 67.16N 11.11E, vessel finally grounding on Mosken Island, Norway. Hull steam trawler St. ALCUIN (H125) remained on scene until darkness fell searching for the two missing men but in vain.
9.10.1950: Survivors landed at Harstad, Norway.
1953: Made three trips to Greenland fishery.
4.1955: Sold to P/F Dagsbrun, Thorshavn, Faroe Islands (Esmo Fuglo, manager).
1955: Re measured 799g 272n.
4.1955: Grimsby registry closed.
4.1955: Registered at Thorshavn as FISKANES (TN50).
1965: Sold to Looker Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen crewed and operated by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd (B. A. Parkes, managers) from Hull.
1965: Thorshavn registry closed.
1965: Re measured 760g 269n 185’ 0” x 32’ 0” x 16’ 9”.
1965: Registered at Hull as Boston Fury (H252).
30.3.1965: Sailed Hull for Iceland, first trip for Boston (Sk. S. Eddoms).
21.4.1965: At Hull landed 987 kits £5,230 gross.
26.3.1966: Sailed Hull for White Sea/Norway Coast (Sk. J. Littleprend).
18.4.1966: At Hull, last landing 2,277 kits £8,416 gross. Transferred to Grimsby.
7.1966: Sold to Weelsby Trawlers Ltd, Grimsby (Fred B. Parkes, manager).
7.1966: Hull registry closed.
7.1966: Registered at Grimsby (GY111).
7.1966: Registered at Grimsby as BRANDUR (GY111).
24.4.1967: On an Icelandic trip (Sk. Bernard Newton) off SW coast, boarded and arrested by gunboat Odinn (882grt/1960) on alleged fishery charges and escorted to Reykjavik.
29.4.1967: In early morning sailed Reykjavik with two Icelandic police onboard, locked in cabin. Repainted PLN (H252).
30.4.1967: After air/sea search, arrested by gun boat Odinn and at 9.30 pm. returned to Reykjavik.
2.5.1967: Fire in after store room, extinguished. Eight crew members arrested, drunk and disorderly.
3.5.1967: Sk. Newton in court.
6.5.1967: Sk. Newton sentenced to three months in prison for having by force and threats of violence left harbour while a case against him for illegal fishing was pending. Found guilty of illegal fishing and fined 300,000 kroner (c£3,000) with catch and gear confiscated (383,000 kroner). On surety of £100,000 (£10,000?) by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd pending appeal allowed to leave Iceland. Sailed Reykjavik for fishing grounds.
1968: Sold for breaking up.
10.1968: Grimsby registry closed.

Note: * – BoT Formal Investigation (No.7974) held at London dated 18 Jan 1952: “ During the Inquiry, tributes to the rescue work performed by the master and crew of the steam trawler “Boston Fury” were paid by all parties, and the Court would like to place on record its opinion that the rescue of 27 out of 29 of the members of the crew of the “Fred Borchard” was a highly commendable piece of work involving skilful seamanship and personal risk.

Read the full BOT report on the loss of Fred Borchard here

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Boston Fury GY153

S.T. Boston Fury GY153
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Brandur GY153

S.T. Brandur GY153
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Boston Fury GY153

S.T. Boston Fury GY153
Picture courtesy of The Greenday Collection

S.T. Brandur GY111

S.T. Brandur GY111
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
01/11/2010: Page published. 4 revisions since then.
24/08/2014: Picture 3 added.
22/11/2016: Information updated and BOT report added.
10/09/2019: Updated information.

S.D/T. Elie Ness LT1259 (Seasonal)

Additional material by Barry Banham

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4137
Official Number: 144799
Yard Number: 65
Completed: 1919
Gross Tonnage: 96
Net Tonnage: 37
Length: 86.2 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.2 ft
Built: The Ouse Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Hook, Nr Goole
T.3-cyl by Urquhart, Lindsay & Robertson, Orchar Ltd, Dundee
Boiler: Clayton, Son & Co Ltd, Hunslett

History

17.5.1919: Launched by The Ouse Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Hook, Nr Goole (Yd.No.65) (“Admiralty drifter) for The Admiralty as GROUNDSWELL (Ad.No.4137).
21.4.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel.
19.11.1920: Transferred to The Fishery Board for Scotland, Edinburgh for disposal. Laid up at Dundee.
8.2.1921: Registered at Aberdeen as ELIE NESS (A638) (O.N.144799).
20.6.1921: Sold to Alexander Wood & Thomas Wood, Aberdeen (J. W. Johnston, manager) for £5,250 under HM Treasury mortgage agreement (Disposal of Admiralty Drifters to Ex-service Fishermen).
11.1922: Mortgage foreclosed. Repossessed by His Majesty, represented by the Commissioners representing the office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, London.
8.12.1922: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel no longer used for fishing”. Laid up at Lowestoft.
4.4.1923: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland
4.4.1923: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1259).
18.4.1923: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland (48/64) & Harold Cladingbowl, Lowestoft (16/64).
23.4.1923: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland (32/64), Harold Cladingbowl (16/64), Frank Burton (16/64), both Lowestoft.
25.8.1924: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland (48/64) & Frank Burton, Lowestoft (16/64).
1929: Seasonal fishing from Fleetwood (New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, managing agents).
4.4.1929: Steam drifter CONSTANT STAR (LT1158) disabled off Blackpool following boiler room explosion. Connected and delivered Fleetwood.
22.4.1930: Following death of Frank Burton; Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland (48/64), Edith Burton, Clement Brunswick, Arthur Gouldby, joint owners (16/64). 1930s: Seasonal trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood (New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, managing agent).
26.3.1932: At Padstow damaged in collision with steam drifter OLIVAE (LT1297).
26.6.1933: Arthur Gouldby mortgaged 48 shares to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
11.4.1934: Sold to Arthur Gouldby, Kessingland.
12.4.1934: Arthur Gouldby mortgaged 16 shares to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (B).
1935: Fishing from Fleetwood (New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, managing agents).
18.12.1936: Sold to Star Drift Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Frederick E. Catchpole, manager) under mortgages (A) & (B).
21.1.1937: Mortgages (A) & (B) discharged.
1.8.1937: Grounded off Stornoway, wrong course to steer given by skipper (SSW should have been SSE).
26.8.1937: Registered at Lowestoft as TRUSTY STAR (LT1259).
1.7.1939: Stranded at Waterford. Steam drifter DORIENTA (LT185) connected and refloated.
21.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service (Hire rate £32.0.0d/month). Later employed as a minesweeping drifter.
30.4.1941: Sunk.
13.7.1941: Salved and returned to miscellaneous Naval duties.
24.10.1941: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T. Continued on miscellaneous Naval duties.
10.6.1942: Mined off Malta. No casualties.
6.12.1946: Lowestoft registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T. Elie Ness LT1159

S.D/T. Elie Ness LT1159
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

Changelog

30/10/2010: Page published. 4 updates since then.
15/10/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
06/06/2020: Updated information.

S.D/T. Ploughboy LT1177 (Seasonal)

Additional material by Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 132948
Yard Number: 527
Completed: 1912
Gross tonnage: 102
Net Tonnage: 47
Length: 88.0 ft
Breadth: 19.1 ft
Depth: 9.0 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Crabtree & Co Ltd, Gt. Yarmouth
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

7.3.1912: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.527) for Samuel Turrell, Lowestoft as PLOUGHBOY.
22.5.1912: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1177).
6.6.1912: Completed (Samuel Turrell managing owner) valued at £3,000.
9.1915: Requisitioned for war service as an A/S net drifter (1-3pdr HA) (Ad.No.1909). Based Taranto.
7.3.1919: Sold to Ploughing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Samuel Turrell, manager).
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Lowestoft (S. Turrell, c/o Hobson & Co, Lowestoft).
1930s: Seasonal fishing from Fleetwood (Alex Keay, managing agent).
25.11.1933: In North Sea, disabled with broken rudder post. Steam drifter OCEAN LUX (YH84) connected and delivered Gt. Yarmouth.
31.5.1937: Sold to Leonard Thomas John Leftley, Lowestoft.
31.5.1937: Sold to Vigilant Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft (George F. Spashett, manager).
17.7.1937: At Lerwick in collision with steam drifter BOY PHILLIP (LT137).
13.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examining service/minesweeping drifter (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
1940: Based Malta (P.No.Z.303).
1.3.1941: Off Malta. Severely damaged by explosion of three mines in close proximity. One rating MPK*, nine injured. Beached.
31.10.1941: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
By 1.1942: Salved, repaired and returned to service (Ty/Lieut. J. Findlay RNR).
7.1946: Sold for breaking up.
8.1.1947: Lowestoft registry closed.

(MPK* – Carmelo Farrugia, AB.)

Click to enlarge images>

S.D/T. Ploughboy LT1177

S.D/T. Ploughboy LT1177
Picture courtesy of The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

S.D/T. Ploughboy LT1177

S.D/T. Ploughboy LT1177
Picture from the Internet

Changelog

25/10/2010: Page published. 8 updates since then.
13/10/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.

S.D/T Lanner LT1176 (Seasonal)

Additional material courtesy of Barry Banham

Technical

Official Number: 132951
Yard Number: 371
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 103
Net Tonnage: 43
Length: 89.8 ft
Breadth: 18.5 ft
Depth: 9.1 ft
Built: J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl by W. V. V. Lidgerwood, Coatbridge

History

1912: Launched by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.371) for John Utting, Kessingland as LANNER.
5.1912: Completed (John Utting, managing owner).
28.5.1912: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1176).
9.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.208).
13.11.1914: Parent ship ATTENTIVE at Dover (Unit 3). Later based Liverpool with “A” division A/S Net Drifters.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Lowestoft (J. Utting c/o Hobson & Co, Lowestoft).
26.11.1919: Sold to Ploughboy Co Ltd, Lowestoft (Samuel Turrell, manager).
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Fleetwood (Alex Keay managing agent).
24.10.1932: At Lowestoft in Outer Harbour, damaged in collision with steam drifter NIL DESPARANDUM (LT175) which sustained a broken stern.
16.4.1936: Off Pembrokeshire coast in collision with Fleetwood steam trawler ALCAZAR (LT87).
31.5.1937: Sold to Leonard Thomas John Leftley, Lowestoft.
3.6.1937: Sold to Kittiwake Ltd, Lowestoft (John Victor Breach, manager).
11.1938: In North Sea picked up disabled motor drifter EFFICIENT (FR242) but fouled propeller when towline parted. Steam drifter MARGARET HIDE (LT746) connected and delivered Lowestoft.
20.7.1939: Off Peterhead in collision with steam trawle OCEAN DRIFT (LH73) sustaining damage.
13.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month).
1940: To Mediterranean as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY82) (Hire rate £27.13.6d/month).
1.1941: Based Suda Bay (Sk. William Stewart RNR).
7.1941: Based Suez Canal area with M/S Group 400 (Sk. G. C. Clarkson RNR).
24.10.1941: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
6.1946: Sold to ??, ??.
5.6.1947: Lowestoft registry closed.
1951: Sold for breaking up.

Click to enlarge image

S.D/T. Lanner LT1176

S.D/T. Lanner LT1176
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

Changelog

25/10/2010: Page published. 4 updates since then.
13/10/2019: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
29/03/2021: Updated history.

S.D/T. Feasible LT122 (Seasonal)

Additional material by Barry Banham, Raymond Forward and Andreas Hagevik
Technical

Official Number: 132963
Yard Number: 373
Completed: 1912
Gross Tonnage: 103
Net Tonnage: 46
Length: 86.0 ft
Breadth: 18.6 ft
Depth: 9.1 ft
Built: John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen
Engine: T.3-cyl and boiler by Elliott & Garrood, Beccles

History

1912: Launched by John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co, Aberdeen (Yd.No.373) for William Catchpole, Kessingland as FEASIBLE.
5.1912: Completed ex propulsion machinery. William Catchpole managing owner.
2.6.1912: Registered at Lowestoft (LT1191).
3.6.1912: Arrived Lowestoft in tow for engine and boiler installation.
27.6.1912: William Catchpole (64/64) appointed managing owner.
9.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol drifter and escort (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.221). 13.11.1914: Parent ship Attentive at Dover (Unit 3).
7.1915: W/T fitted.
1.4.1916: Collision between British steamer MACEDONIA (11,120grt/1904) and Norwegian steamer CORRECT off Elbow Buoy. Connected to CORRECT and commenced tow, but vessel began to settle, tow parted and foundered.
28.8.1916: Sold to Edward Catchpole (16/64), John Utting (16/64), Charles William Dance Jnr (16/64) & Henry Baxter (16/64), Lowestoft.
24.11.1917: At dawn discovered U.boat (U48) aground on Goodwin Sands. Closed and with other drifters opened fire which was returned. U.boat surrendered.
1919: Returned (Edward Catchpole, manager).
14.11.1919: Sold to Robert Kinnear (64/64), Doncaster (Thomas W. Chapman, Ramsgate, manager)
1.1920: Sold to Danum Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Ramsgate (Thomas W. Chapman, manager).
6.2.1920: Lowestoft registry closed.
10.2.1920: Registered at Ramsgate (R157).
11.11.1920: Reported that off North Hinder light-vessel connected to the abandoned German ketch STELLA, cargo pitch. Towed for four hours but vessel started to settle and foundered.
10.1.1930: Sold to John Victor Breach (64/64), Lowestoft.
9.1.1930: Ramsgate registry closed.
10.1.1930: Registered at Lowestoft (LT122).
11.1.1930: John Victor Breech appointed managing owner.
1.2.1930: Sold to John Victor Breach (43/64). Lowestoft & James S. Bush (21/64), Gorleston. 1.2.1930: At Yarmouth landed 180 crans of herring.
1930s: Seasonal white fish trawling from Padstow and Fleetwood.
31.10.1930: Damaged in collision with Cardiff steamer PENCISELY (3589grt/1916) at IJmuiden.
23.7.1932: Connected to disabled steam drifter STRIVE (LT133) and delivered Fleetwood.
6.8.1933: Broke mainmast at Tobermory.
21.3.1934: Sold to John Victor Breach (43/64), Lowestoft & Alfred James Manthorpe (21/64), Gorleston.
6.5.1934: Stuck and damaged by steam drifter BOY PHILLIP (LT137), at Rathmullan, Co. Donegal.
30.7.1935: Sold to John Victor Breach (64/64), Lowestoft.
6.8.1935: John Victor Breech appointed managing owner.
5.1.1936: Damaged and flooded by heavy seas off the Smalls. One crew member Edward Halliday (25), of Lowestoft washed overboard and drowned. Steam trawler GOZO (H545) connected and delivered Milford.
8.2.1938: Sold to Explorator Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft.
9.2.1938: John Victor Breech appointed manager.
12.11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeping drifter (P.No.FY928) (Hire rate £27.0.0d/month). Based Dover.
26.5.1940: At 6.57pm. ‘Operation Dynamo’ (Dunkirk evacuation) put into effect.
31.5.1940: Disabled by gunfire off Dunkirk. Steam drifter BEN & LCY (LT714) connected.
1.6.1940: Delivered off Ramsgate.
1941: At Gt. Yarmouth (Sk. C. C. Findlay RNR).
1.7.1941: At Gt. Yarmouth (Sk. R. W. Vann RNR).
1.1944: John Victor Breach died.
9.4.1945: Robert Henry Self appointed manager.
19.5.1945: Sold to Pevensey Castle Ltd (64/64), Lowestoft.
17.7.1945: Arrived Lowestoft.
18.7.1945: Sailed for ?? for refurbishment and survey.
21.8.1945: Returned to owner.
24.5.1946: Sold to Engelbert Einarson, Vedavogen, Karmøy.
17.6.1946: Lowestoft registry closed.
22.6.1946: Registered at Haugesund as MELÖY.
1946: Sailed for Karmøy, in company with ROSE. In North Sea, ROSE experienced boiler problems and became disabled. Connected and delivered to Karmøy.
1947: Converted to motor and fitted with a 200hp oil engine by Hjelset.
1947: Re-engined with a 3-cyl 2 stroke 220bhp hot bulb oil engine by Brumville, Norway. Converted to dry cargo and remeasured 99grt.
1962: Sold to Rothings Lekterkompani, Haugesund.
1974: Sold to PR Gunnar Daemring & Georg Vik. Based at Stamnes in Hordaland.
1976: Sold to Normann Veland, Eigangervag.
05.1989: Sold to Norvald Lunde, Stamnes.
200?: Laid up in Veafjord, Norway.
2000: Sold to private owners (Arctic Shipping, Cowes (?)) for restoration and live aboard.
5.2000: Re engined by Penzance Dry-Dock & Engineering Co Ltd, Penzance with 8-cyl 4 stroke 280bhp diesel by Rolls-Royce Ltd, Shrewsbury.
1.2008: At Penzance. Registered at Lowestoft as Feasible.
20.04.2021: Moored on River Hayle at Lelant Saltings.

Click to enlarge images

S.D/T. Feasible LT1191

S.D/T. Feasible LT1191
Picture courtesy The Barry Banham Maritime Photo Collection

S.D/T. Melöy LT122

S.D/T. Feasible LT122
At Penzance 2007. © Treeve picturepenzance.co.uk

S.D/T. Feasible LH122

S.D/T. Feasible LH122
Picture from the Internet

S.D/T. Feasible LT122

S.D/T. Feasible LT122
© Treeve - picturepenzance.co.uk 2009

S. D/T. Feasible LT122

S. D/T. Feasible LT122
Picture courtesy of The Karel Oosterom Collection

M.V. Feasible

M.V. Feasible
Picture courtesy of Trevor Snowling

S.D/T. Feasible LT122

S.D/T. Feasible LT122
Picture courtesy of The Ashley Gardiner Collection

At Dunkirk

S.D/T. Feasible LT122

S.D/T. Feasible LT122
Image courtesy of The Roger Lowry Collection

At Lelant Saltings

S.D/T. Feasible LT122

S.D/T. Feasible LT122
Image courtesy of The Roger Lowry Collection

mfv Feasible LT122

mfv Feasible LT122
Picture courtesy of Andrew Sells

mfv Feasible LT122

mfv Feasible LT122
Picture courtesy of Andrew Sells

mfv Feasible LT122

mfv Feasible LT122
Picture courtesy of Andrew Sells

Changelog
21/10/2010: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
29/08/2014: Picture added.
04/11/2014: Picture added.
24/11/2014: Updated information and added picture.
12/10/2018: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
25/06/2019: Added two images and updated information.
18/08/2020: Updated history.
20/04/2021: Added images and updated history.