Tag Archives: Castle

S.T. Ben Bheula A422

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3724
Official Number: 146616
Yard Number: 311
Completed: 1917
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet.
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 108
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, North Shields
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields

History

16.11.1917: Launched by J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.311) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as THOMAS DOWDING (Ad.No.3724).
22.12.1917: Completed as a minesweeper (1-12pdr & W/T). Based Falmouth.
7.7.1918: At 1035, grounded at Basse de Respects, near Cape St. Matthew. Suffered minor bottom damage.
1.10.1918: At Penzance F.C.T. Escort
16.8.1922: Registered by The Admiralty as a fishing vessel at London (LO550).
11.1923: Sold to Hellyer Bros Ltd, Hull.
23.11.1923: London registry closed.
26.11.1923: Registered at Hull (H861).
12.1923: Registered at Hull as LEONATO (H861)
Pre-1927: Sold to Hull Northern Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (W. R. Nowell, manager).
Pre-1930: Hellyer Bros Ltd became managers.
10.1936: Sold to R. Irvin & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen.
8.10.1936: Hull registry closed.
9.10.1936: Registered at Aberdeen as BEN BHEULA (A422).
8.1939: Requisitioned for war service on examination service and as a minesweeper (P.No. FY.1681) (Hire rate £80.4.2d/month).
13.1.1942: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £8200.
6.10.1945: Returned to owner and re-classed at Glasgow.
24.7.1946: Sold to Pegasus Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood for £20,000. William Stevenson, St. Anne’s-on-the-Sea appointed manager.
11.3.1949: On West of Scotland grounds (Sk. W. Cowell). Off Barra in heavy weather and hail storms, started to take in water in boiler room; pumps choked with ashes and unable to cope. In response to radio message, trawler CYELSE (FD67) (Sk. J. C. Smith) arrived on scene, connected and towed into Castlebay for shelter.
13.3.1949: With CYELSE still connected in hail and sleet, BEN BHEULA swept by high seas on to reef. Fourteen crew abandoned in boat and taken onboard, later taken by Barra lifeboat to Castlebay. Trawler CONCERTATOR (FD276) arrived from Fleetwood with pumps and salvage operation commenced with Mr H. T. Chapman insurance engineer in charge.
14.3.1949: Refloated and beached, temporary repairs carried out and refloated.
16.3.1949: Homeward in a heavy swell off Port Askaig, Islay, leak opened up again and with boiler room flooding, attended by Islay lifeboat (Cox Duncan McNeill) which connected and commenced tow to Port Askaig. After 5 miles decided to beach at Caolila, Sound of Islay. Attended by salvage tug METINDA III (593grt/1945), temporary repairs carried out and refloated.
22.3.1949: Delivered Fleetwood. Permanent repairs undertaken and returned to service.
1952: Managers became J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood.
16.5.1953: Last landing at Fleetwood. Laid up.
16.7.1953: Sold for breaking up.
9.1.1954: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up”.

(Thomas Dowding, Quartergunner (prest), age 38, b. Dorset – VICTORY (SB458))

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S.T. Ben Bheula A422

S.T. Ben Bheula A422
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Leonato H861

S.T. Leonato H861
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Thomas Dowding LO550

S.T. Thomas Dowding LO550
Picture from the Internet

HMT Ben Bheula

HMT Ben Bheula
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 7 updates since then.
16/01/2017: Removed disputed image.
29/12/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
20/08/2019: Added an image and updated information.

S.T. William Mannell LO370

Additional information courtesy of Geoff Davidson and Gary Hicks Plymouth Merchant Ships

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3512
Official Number: 144425
Yard Number: 671
Completed:3 1917
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 106
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

History

7.12.1916: Laid down by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.671) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty. 23.3.1917: Launched as WILLIAM MANNELL (Ad.No.3512).
2.6.1917: Completed as an escort trawler (1-12pdr and W/T).
11.5.1920: Sold by auction at London (Baltic Exchange) to John Walters, Milford Haven (John H. Bishop, manager).
11.6.1920: Registered at London (LO370).
26.7.1923: Sold to John H. Bishop, Milford Haven (managing owner).
16.1.1931: Laid up at Milford.
5.10.1934: Sold to Yolland & Llewellin, Milford Haven (Charles Llewellin, manager).
1934: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes, Cleveleys, manager)
10.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (P.No.FY.1665) (Hire rate £80.10.0d/month).
1945: Sold to Yolland & Llewellin, Milford Haven (John Yolland, manager).
19.11.1945: Returned.
1.1.1946: Messrs Yolland & Llewellin partnership dissolved. Transferred to Yolland Bros, Milford Haven (John Yolland, manager).
13.9.1948: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £12,500.
9.2.1949: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. Reuben J. Melhuish); twelve crew.
21.2.1949: On Dhuheartach grounds, gale warning received and proceeded to anchor in small bay S of Glengad Head, Co. Donegal in company with GAVA (FD380).
22.2.1949: At 4.00 a.m. decided to leave anchorage. On weighing, wind WSW to WNW but suddenly visibility reduced in a squall. Rudder jambed and struck rocks at Glengad Head. At approx 4.30 a.m. vessel abandoned by boat to the GAVA. At approx 6.30 a.m. Skipper and Chief Engineer returned briefly in shore boat. At approx 12.15 p.m. refloated and with Gava standing by, Skipper and two deck hands returned to secure warps from GAVA. At approx 1.00 p.m. underway for Culdaff Bay with intention of beaching. At approx 2.15 p.m. vessel started to settle and crew taken off. Tow continued but at 3.00 p.m. vessel sank by the head in 14 fathoms 21/2 miles E of Dunmore Head, off Portaleen, Co. Donegal; all crew saved.
25.8.1949: At BOT Formal Investigation (No.S.413), Sk. Melhuish was found to have lacked seamanlike care in proceeding from the anchorage and made no attempt to maintain steam and operate the pumps after stranding. His ticket was suspended for six months.

William Mannell (aka William Lambert), Quartermaster’s mate, age 33, b. Aldeborough, Suffolk – VICTORY (SB530))

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S.T. William Mannell LO370

S.T. William Mannell LO370
Picture Courtesy of John McLaughlin

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
04/09/2015: Information updated.
17/07/2017: Removed FMHT watermark.

S.T. Lady Stanley FD125

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3714
Official Number: 143865
Yard Number: 305
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 276
Net Tonnage: 107
Length: 125.3 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields
Built: J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields

History

2.10.1917: Launched by J. P. Rennoldson & Sons Ltd, South Shields (Yd.No.305) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as GEORGE CLARKE (Ad.No.3714).
20.12.1917: Completed as a minesweeper (1 – 12pdr).
15.5.1919: Loaned to US Navy (North Sea Minesweeping Detachment).
11.10.1919: Returned to The Admiralty.
By 18.06.1920: Allocated to Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries and engaged in commercial trawling.
13.08.1920: Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London registered.
24.08.1920: Registered at London (Part I & IV) as GEORGE CLARKE O.N.143865 (LO412).
1920: Allocated to the Minesweepers’ Cooperative Trawling Society Ltd, London.
11.1920: At J. Samuel White & Co Ltd, Cowes fitted out for fishing under Special Survey of Lloyd’s Register and classed 100 A1 Stm Trawler at Cowes.
01.1922: Scheme abandoned, the necessary working capital of £100,000 having not been subscribed. Laid up.
1923: Sold to Hull Northern Fishing Co Ltd, Hull (William R. Nowell, manager).
26.11.1923: London registry closed.
3.12.1923: Registered at Hull as TRANIO (H885).
1930: Frank O. Hellyer & Owen S. Hellyer appointed managers.
13.1.1933: In thick fog stranded 11/2 miles NE of Spurn Point Signal Station; attended by Humber lifeboat CITY of BRADFORD.
15.2.1933: Refloated with assistance of lifeboat and proceeded Hull.
1934: New boiler (made 1920).
10.2.1936: Sold to Harry E. Rees, Milford Haven.
11.2.1936: Hull registry closed.
13.2.1936: Registered at Milford (M196).
28.2.1936: Sold to Harry E. Rees (32/64) & Bernard L. Koppehagen (32/64), Roehampton Harry E. Rees designated managing owner.
27.2.1938: Last landing at Milford.
4.3.1938: At 7.00 am. stranded on rocks at Killarey, Aran Islands, Co. Galway. Failed to come afloat in evening, making a lot of water and abandoned by crew. Steamer DUN ÆBBNGUS (234grt/1912) in attendance. Declared a total loss and abandoned to the Underwriters.
13.5.1938: Milford registry closed.
10.1938: Refloated by islanders.
11.1938: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull.
12.11.1938: Arrived Fleetwood under tow.
14.11.1938: Slipped for repair.
4.1.1939: Registered at Fleetwood as LADY STANLEY (FD125). Basil A. Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde appointed manager.
21.1.1939: First landing at Fleetwood (Sk. W. James), 232 boxes grossed £606.
10.11.1939: When in transit in Pentland Firth in darkness ran ashore at Swilke Point, Stroma. Badly pounded but slipped off rocks and taken in tow by steam trawler WIGMORE (GY469) and after checks proceeded in company for the Humber. Repaired at Hull.
12.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (P.No.4.233) (Hire rate £80.10.0d/month).
5.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper.
9.1945: Returned to owner.
1945: Sold to J. C. Llewellin (Trawlers) Ltd, Milford Haven. John C. Llewellin appointed manager. Fishing from Hull under Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, trip management.
1.1.1946: Messrs Yolland & Llewellin partnership dissolved.
3.1948: Sold to Stephen Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
3.1948: Fleetwood registry closed.
1.4.1948: Registered at Aberdeen (A543). John N. Stephen appointed manager.
20.6.1958: Sold to Seafield Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
1960: Sold to BISCO (£3174) and allocated to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd for breaking up at Charlestown, Fife (Contract No.91E).
3.12.1960: Delivered Charlestown from Aberdeen under own power.
16.4.1962: Breaking up commenced.
5.6.1962: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up”.

(George Clarke (aka George Seddin, George Seddons, George Rodney Clarke), OS, age 24, b. Stockport, Cheshire – VICTORY (SB893))

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HMT Lady Stanley

HMT Lady Stanley
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Lady Stanley FD125

S.T. Lady Stanley A543
Picture courtesy of Kor (shipsnostalgia)

S.T. Lady Stanley FD125

S.T. Lady Stanley A543
Picture courtesy of Kor (shipsnostalgia)

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
05/06/2016: Information updated.
21/10/2016: Information updated.

S.T. Michael Griffith FD249

Technical

Admiralty Number: FY3781
Official Number: 145118
Yard Number: 402
Completed: 1919
As built: 360disp
Gross Tonnage: 282
Net Tonnage: 109
Length: 125.2 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

5.9.1918: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.402) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as MICHAEL GRIFFITH (Ad.No.3781).
5.4.1919: Completed.
12.1920: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part I) O.N.145118.
12.6.1920: Paid off at Devonport. Laid up.
22.9.1921: Registered by The Admiralty at London (Part IV) (LO529).
1922: Sold at auction at Milford Haven to Henry Leetham & Sons Ltd, York (Raymond D. T. Birt, Milford Haven, manager).
11.12.1923: Sold to Phoenix Trawling Co Ltd, Milford Haven (Raymond D. T. Birt, Milford Haven, manager).
6.11.1929: Sold to James Ritchie & William T. Davies, Hakin, joint managers (trading as West Coast Trawlers, Milford Haven).
10.6.1933: Suffered machinery breakdown 45 miles W of St. Ann’s Head. Trawler WILLIAM DOWNES (LO530) directed to position, connected and delivered Milford.
27.5.1939: Reported picked up disabled Milford trawler WILLIAM HUMPHRIES (LO533) and proceeding Milford Haven.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.567) (Hire rate £90.12.6d/month).
7.1943: Fitted out as a boom defence vessel.
1.1945: Returned.
1945: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Registered at Fleetwood (FD249).
29.1.1953: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds (Sk. Charles Singleton); thirteen crew.
30.1.1953: Having returned to Fleetwood for repairs to the feed pump, sailed again at 12.30 am. for the fishing grounds. At 8.30 pm. sighted by Fleetwood trawler AIGRET (FD180) which, with gear stowed was dodging W1/2S of Dubh Artacht Light in the hope of an improvement in the weather. A short time after an adverse weather forecast was received by the AIGRET and the skipper decided to seek shelter and set a course to the E of Skerryvore. Passing close to the AIGRET, Skipper Singleton continued northwards and his stern light was visible until about 11.10pm. By now a NW gale force 9 was blowing, veering between NNW and N and increasing to force 10, with snow, very rough sea and 30 ft waves.
31.1.1953: At 9.23 am. trawlers VELIA (FD116) and WYRE GENERAL (FD258) picked up a distress message. “All ships – MICHAEL GRIFFITH, 7 – 8 miles south of Barra – full of water, no steam. Am helpless. Will some ship please come and help us”. Both trawlers were too far away but relayed the distress message. The trawlers WARDOUR (GY523) and BRACONBANK (A237) were at least 85 miles away but proceeded in appalling conditions to the given position. HMS TENACIOUS (P.No.F44) was ordered to sail from Londonderry and an air search was carried out by the RAF. Castlebay and later, Islay lifeboats were launched and searched for seven hours but found nothing; two crew members of Islay lifeboat died from fumes and exhaustion.
7.2.1953: Lifeboat washed ashore on Inishtrahull, Co Donegal. Presumed foundered approx 7 miles south of Barra Head with loss of all thirteen crew *.
30.4.1954: At the MoT formal inquiry in Fleetwood, the court was unable to find the cause of the disaster, but probably exceptionally heavy weather (HMS TENACIOUS recorded 100mph wind, 50 ft waves and snow storm in the vicinity). The court found that the trawler was seaworthy and properly equipped. (The loss of the MICHAEL GRIFFITH heralded the The Great Storm-1953, which resulted in the loss of the ferry PRINCESS VICTORIA (2694g/1947) , other vessels in the North Sea and the flooding and loss of life in the South East, particularly Canvey Island).

* Sk. Charles Singleton; Leonard Grundy, Mate; J. T. Wilson, Bosun; Harry Anderson, Ch. Eng; Thomas Burns, 2nd Eng; James Tucker, Stanley Johns, Charles Murdoch & J. Cryson, deckhands; George Palin, deckie-learner; A. Bindle, cook; W. Hargreaves & R. Bodden, firemen

(Michael Griffiths (note ‘s’), OS, age 23, b. Waterford, Co. Waterford – VICTORY (SB843))

Click Here to download the BOT inquiry into the loss.

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S.T. Michael Griffith FD249

S.T. Michael Griffith FD249
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
15/06/2021: Updated history and technical details and added the BOT inquiry report.

S. T. George Adgell FD368

Technical

Admiralty Number: 4402
Official Number: 141953
Yard Number: 418
Completed: 1920
Gross Tonnage: 290
Net Tonnage: 127
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

18.6.1919: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.418) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as GEORGE ADGELL (Ad.No.4402).
31.1.1920: Completed as a fishing vessel.
2.1920: Sold to Henry Blackburn, Fleetwood.
5.2.1920: Registered at Fleetwood (Part I & Part IV) O.N.141953 (FD368).
17.2.1920: Sold to Blackburn Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. Henry Blackburn designated manager.
28.5.1928: At Fleetwood landed a 5ft sturgeon caught on the West of Scotland grounds.
15.3.1930: Off Northern Ireland coast (Sk. Dilver Collinson), fireman, John Ronson of Fleetwood was swept overboard and drowned.
10.9.1935: Sold to Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys & Walter Holmes, Fleetwood.
5.12.1935: Sold to Parkholme Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes & Walter Holmes). Basil A. Parkes designated manager.
14.3.1939: Sold to The Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull. Basil A. Parkes designated manager.
11.6.1940: At Hull last landing before requisitioning. Iceland trip, 18 days – 1.071kits £2,410 gross.
12.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (P.No.FY1926) (Hire rate £94.5.0d/month).
9.1941: Fitted out for minesweeping (P.No. FY.1926).
1.1942: Based Ipswich with M/S & Patrol Group 79.
14.2.1946: Sold to Joseph L. Yolland, John Yolland & Thomas S. Yolland, Milford Haven.
8.7.1946: Sold to Yolland Brothers Ltd, Milford Haven (John T. Leslie & T. Stuart Yolland). J. Yolland designated manager.
17.1.1946: Returned to owner after restoration and survey at Aberdeen.
10.7.1948: Sold to J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood for £13,086.
30.6.1953: Last landing at Fleetwood.
1953: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
3.7.1953: Delivered Preston.
9.7.1953: Fleetwood registry closed. (CHR states “Closed 19.3.1955” suspect on repayment of a mortgage)

The Following information kindly provided by Patricia Bailey

ARTICLE FROM THE FLEETWOOD CHRONICLE, FYLDE NEWS

THE CRY IN THE NIGHT.

FLEETWOOD MAN’S DISAPPEARANCE

Mysterious Fall Overboard

A graphic account of the loss of a member of the crew of the Fleetwood steam trawler, George Adgell, belonging to Messrs Blackburn Trawlers, Ltd., was given when the vessel arrived at Fleetwood yesterday.

Leaving Fleetwood on March 14th for the Rockall, Atlantic fishing grounds, the trawler had proceeded as far as Innistrahull, off Northern Ireland, when at 4.15 the following morning, a cry of “Man overboard” was raised. In spite of a search, lasting till daylight, no trace of the missing man was found. The victim was John Ronson, aged 37, of 6 Avon Green, Fleetwood, who was a fireman on the vessel.

Interviewed by a “Fleetwood Chronicle” reported, Mr Richard Wright of Sagar Terrace, Fleetwood, deck hand, said that he was the last to see Ronson.

“Over the Side”

“The skipper, Mr Dilver Collinson, had just gone below to his bunk, and I was on watch” he said. “Suddenly I saw the legs and feet of a man disappearing over the side.

“The alarm was raised, and the skipper was on the bridge in a few seconds. The weather was calm at the time, and there was no swell on the sea.

“Although it was dark, we had all our deck lights on. We did not hear any cry from Ronson, and never saw him again. How he came to fall overboard is a mystery, and he must have been stunned by something.

“At the time he was very near the ash lift and was dumping ashes over the side. We cruised about for two hours without seeing anything of him.”

Ronson leaves a widow and six children, the eldest of whom is only 11 years of age.

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S. T. George Adgell FD368

S. T. George Adgell FD368
Picture courtesy of The John Stevenson Collection

S.T. George Adgell FD368

S.T. George Adgell FD368
Picture from the Internet

George Treece Birch

George Treece Birch
Picture courtesy of The John Elrick Collection

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.
02/11/2020: Updated information.
25/06/2022: Added an image.