Tag Archives: Clifton ST

S.T. Brabant FD239

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Admiralty Number: 3717
Official Number: 144640
Yard Number: 333
Completed: 1918
As built: 360disp 125.6 x 23.5 x 12.8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 279
Net Tonnage: 106n
Length: 125.6 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Ayr
Engine: 480ihp T.3-cyl by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon
Boiler: James Nielson & Son Ltd, Glasgow

History

25.4.1918: Launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Ayr (Yd.No.333) (“Castle” class) for The Admiralty as EMMANUEL CAMELAIRE (Ad.No.3717).
20.5.1918: Commissioned.
25.5.1918: Completed as a minesweeper (1-12pdr and W/T).
1.10.1918: At Penzance F.C.T. Escort (Lieut. RNR).
24.1.1921: Registered by The Admiralty as a fishing vessel at London (LO497). Official No.144640.
1922: Sold to Cie Belge Maritime du Congo, Antwerp and used as a tug. Registered at Antwerp as PRESIDENT FRANCQUI.
4.10.1923: London fishing registry closed.
1923: Registered at Matadi, Belgian Congo.
1936: Sold to Soc. Anon Pêcheries du Nord, Fécamp. Re-classed as a trawler. Registered at Fécamp.
11.1938: Sold to Rhondda Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby (Consolidated Fisheries Ltd).
10.11.1938: Registered at Grimsby as BRABANT (GY544).
10.11.1938: Sir John Denton Marsden, Bart appointed manager.
31.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.586) (Hire rate £84.0.0d/month).
10.2.1940: Steam trawler THERESA BOYLE (GN4) (Sk. Oliver Bell) damaged by German air attack when fishing 115 miles ExN of Aberdeen. Took to boat and vessel foundered.
12.2.1940: At 4.30 p.m. RAF aircraft overflew boat, rocket fired. Aircraft communicated with HMTrawlers BRABANT and ALMANDINE (H415) (P.No.FY.645), ‘sweeping 10 miles away. After 50 hours in open boat survivors picked up by ALMANDINE and landed at ?? at 6.00 p.m. all crew suffering from exposure.
24.8.1941: Shot down a twin engined German bomber (Lieut. J. H. A. Winfield RNR).
15.1.1944: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
20.1.1944: Hulbert Murray Bird appointed manager.
12.1945: Returned to owner.
26.9.1946: Grimsby registry closed.
9.1946: Registered at Fleetwood (FD239).
6.1956: Company taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood. (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
4.3.1957: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up at Milford Haven.
29.4.1957: Arrived Milford Haven.

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S.T. Brabant FD239

S.T. Brabant FD239
Image from the Internet

S.T. Brabant FD239

S.T. Brabant FD239
Image from the Internet

HMT Emmanuel Camelaire

HMT Emmanuel Camelaire
Picture courtesy of The Imperial War Museum

S.T. Brabant FD239

S.T. Brabant FD239
Picture courtesy of The John Stevenson Collection

S. T. Brabant FD239

S. T. Brabant FD239
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
16/01/2009: Page published. 6 updates since then.
24/04/2017: Removed FMHT watermark and disputed image.
20/09/2019: Updated information.
07/08/2020: Added images.
10/04/2022: Added an image.

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. Julia Brierley FD103

Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson

Technical

Official Number: 168578
Yard Number: 1265
Completed: 1943
As built: 670tons disp. 146.0 x 25.25 x 13.2 feet
Gross Tonnage: 380
Net Tonnage: 142
Length: 147.8 ft
Breadth: 25.1 ft
Depth: 13.2 ft
Engine: 700ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby

History

24.12.1942: Keel laid.
6.4.1943: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.1265 ) (“Fish” class) for The Admiralty as HMS GRILSE (P.No.T.368).
5.7.1943: Completed as an A/S trawler (1-12pdr HA/LA, 3-20mm, ASDIC, DC). Based Mediterranean (Act Sk. Lieut. George Main RNR).
28.11.1944: Ty Act. Sk. Lieut. Harold Chandler RNR appointed CO.
1946: Laid up at Rosyth on Disposal List (SORF, Rosyth).
20.5.1946: Sold to Consolidated Fisheries Ltd, Grimsby for the sum of £18,858. Converted to steam trawler at a cost of £26,239. (Total £45,096).
2.1947: Registered at Swansea (Part I & Part IV) as CARDIFF CASTLE O.N.168578 (SA66). 380g 142n. Sir John D. Marsden, Bart, Lincoln designated manager. Insured for £75,680.
24.6.1947: First trip.
1952: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood.
6.1947: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
5.1952: Swansea registry closed.
08.5.1952: Registered at Fleetwood (FD103).
13.07.1952: Registered at Fleetwood as JULIA BRIERLEY (FD103). John Channock, Cleveleys designated manager.
6.7.1956: Company taken over and vessel transferred to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood. Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated manager.
4.4.1957: Sold to Carry On Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Fred Parkes, Blackpool designated manager.
11.1957: On the St. Kilda grounds (Sk. Jim Port). Bosun, Michael Quinn (28) taken seriously ill with a suspected perforated appendix. Sk. Port radioed the missile tracking station on the island of Hirta and the RAF doctor advised that the Bosun should be landed there for attention. During the night a severe gale blew up and they had to dodge for two days until the weather abated. The sick man’s condition deteriorated and he was in need of immediate medical aid. Coming into Parson’s Bay, Hirta, the boat was launched and under the mate, Bill Cossey and six crew they landed on the beach and the sick man was transferred to the hutments. The skipper was advised that the Bosun should be kept on the island and that they were best to continue fishing and pick the man up on the way home. After twelve days they returned and picked up the Bosun who had been under observation and kept comfortable with injections and also took onboard mail from the twenty-eight servicemen stationed on the island. On return to Fleetwood Mr Quinn visited the hospital for a further check up and to see if an operation was necessary.
20.8.1958: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood, Sir Fred Parkes, Blackpool, designated manager.
By 6.1961: Laid up at Grimsby.
10.1961: Sold to Ets van Heygen Frères SA, Brugge, Belgium for breaking up.
10.10.1961: Fleetwood registry closed.

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HMS Grilse

HMS Grilse
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

HMS Grilse

HMS Grilse
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Julia Brierley FD103

S.T. Julia Brierley FD103
Picture courtesy of The John Stevenson Collection

S.T. Julia Brierley FD103

S.T. Julia Brierley FD103
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
12/06/2016: Picture added.
01/04/2017: Added images and removed FMHT watermark.
07/03/2021: Updated history and technical details.

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

Technical

Official Number: 180333
Yard Number: 789
Completed: 1948
Gross Tonnage: 366
Net Tonnage: 137
Length: 136.9 ft
Breadth: 26.1 ft
Depth: 13.3 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 600ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by C. D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull Fitted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F
Speed: 10.9 knots

History

1.11.1947: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.789) for The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as MARGARET WICKS.
26.1.1948: Completed registered at Fleetwood (FD265).
16.2.1948: Landed maiden (Sk. W. Lane), grossed £3940 from 1087 boxes.
1.12.1953: In response to broadcast steamed to assist VELIA (FD116) in search for survivors from HILDINA (H222) which had capsized in approximate position 59.48N 5.14W, 50 miles N by W1/2W of Sule Skerry having come fast and broached. At 10. 16 am.VELIA proceeded to Stornoway with ten survivors. In deteriorating weather conditions continued search in company with MONIMIA (FD266) until 1.37 pm. but no further survivors found although wreckage was sighted.
6.1956: Company taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood. (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
7.7.1956: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood (Sir Fred Parkes, manager).
1958: New boiler fitted.
12.9.1962: On Icelandic grounds arrested for alleged illegal fishing.
13.9.1962: Court at Reykjavik fined Sk. Mecklenburgh £2160 and confiscated nets and catch (£1350).
7.2.1963: Transferred to Aberdeen Near Water Trawlers Ltd, Aberdeen (Basil A. Parkes, manager).
24.3.1963: On slip at Tórshavn but not hauled out, possible fouled propeller.
13.5.1963: Returned to Fleetwood (Arthur J. Lewis, manager).
7.12.1963: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds (Sk. Harry Chantler). Took bunkers in Belfast.
8.12.1963: With Mate in charge of watch, at 0225 stranded on rocks Mull of Oa, Islay; fifteen crew rescued by breeches buoy. Islay lifeboat and HMS HAMPSHIRE stood by.
15.12.1963: Refloated by salvage and mooring vessel RFA DISPENSER (775grt/1943) and towed to Port Ellen Bay. Subsequently towed to Ardrossan for survey.
1.1964: Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood (Arthur J. Lewis, manager).
2.1964: Declared a CTL.
2.1964: Sold to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd, Faslane for breaking up.
12.2.1964: Sailed Ardrossan under tow for Faslane.
13.2.1964: Delivered Faslane. Fleetwood registry closed. DTI held preliminary inquiry into the loss, but no formal inquiry was ever held.

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S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265
Picture courtesy of Alan Hirst

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265
Being slipped at Tórshavn.
Picture courtesy of Finn Bjørn Guttensen

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Magaret Wicks FD265

S.T. Magaret Wicks FD265
Picture courtesy of Fred Baker

Changelog
12/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
11/12/2015: Picture added.

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32

Technical

Official Number: 128748
Yard Number: 400
Completed: 1909
Gross Tonnage: 219
Net Tonnage: 85
Length: 117.4 ft
Breadth: 21.6 ft
Depth: 11.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields
Engine: T.3-cyl by Shields Engineering Co Ltd, North Shields

History

7.1.1909: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields (Yd.No.400 ) for Thomas G. Hancock, Hakin & John D. Harries, Milford Haven as SOLVA.
2.1909: Completed (Thomas G. Hancock managing owner).
23.2.1909: Registered at Milford (M22).
24.12.1912: Off St. Ann’s Head (Sk.Robert M. Limbrick) in gale force winds shipped heavy sea and carried away boat.
4.10.1913: At Castletown, Berehaven, Co Cork landed Ch. Eng Albert Mathias who had sustained a fractured skull and broken jaw when caught by the main engine.
3.1914: Sold to Charles Hudson, Fleetwood. Charles Hudson designated managing owner.
4.5.1914: Hudson Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood registered. Sold to Hudson Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood.
23.5.1914: Milford registry closed.
25.5.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD32). Charles Hudson designated manager.
25.6.1914: Registered at Fleetwood as AGNES WICKFIELD (FD32).
8.1914: Requisitioned for war service.
11.8.1914: Sailed Fleetwood for Devonport.
14.8.1914: Arrived Devonport for fitting out with 1-3pdr and mine-sweep (Ad.No.125).
10.2.1915: Allocated Half Leader Unit No.121 – Section C ‘Trawler Sweepers’ based Devonport (Lieut. E. Davis RNR).
1.1916: Remains Half Leader with Unit No.121 – Section C ‘Trawler Sweepers’ based Devonport (Lieut. H. Jarratt RNR).
10.1916: Remains with Unit No.121 ‘Trawler Sweepers’ based Devonport (Lieut. E. Davis RNR).
13.4.1918: Sold to New Docks Steam Trawling Co (Fleetwood) Ltd, Fleetwood. Joseph A. Taylor designated manager.
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fletwood.
1924: William W. Brierley designated manager.
1938: Sold to The Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood. William Brierley designated manager.
11.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.727) (Hire rate £54.15.0d/month).
12.1945: Returned to owner.
27.9.1949: One of five trawlers that went aground in the Wyre Channel in thick fog when outward for the fishing grounds. Refloated next tide and proceeded.
8.10.1949: Landed 300 kits, £1,230 gross.
11.1952: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
2.12.1952: Arrived at Preston.
1953: Fleetwood registry closed.

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S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32
Picture courtesy of The Jan Harteveld Collection

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32

S.T. Agnes Wickfield FD32
Picture fron the internet

Changelog
09/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
10/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermark and added an image.
09/10/2020: Updated information.
21/05/2022: Added an image.