Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 99174
Completed: 1891
Net tonnage: 45
Length: 62.5 ft
Breadth: 17.9 ft
Depth: 8.45 ft
Rig: Ketch
Built: J. E. Furner & L. W. Lever, Grimsby
Note: Last Fleetwood smack trawling under sail

History

1891: Completed by James Enoch Furner & Levi Walter Leaver, Grimsby for James Enoch Furner, 45 Orwell Street, Grimsby, L. W. Leaver, 80 Ascough Street, West Marsh, Grimsby, R. Sleight & J.B. Jones, Grimsby (J. E. Furner managing owner) as ASHBY.
17.8.1891: Registered at Grimsby (GY359). Fishing out of Grimsby.
23.9.18953: In the morning in collision with Grimsby smack BEATRICE MABEL (GY117). The latter was damage but former escaping unscathed.
24.11.1896: Homeward to Grimsby in extraordinary foggy weather, anchored out of the line of shipping near the Binks, east of Spurn Point. Warning bell being rung. At about 8.00am the Glagow registered coasting steamer TURTLE (146grt/1893) appeared close by steaming towards the land on what was deemed to be a dangerous course. The TURTLE closed the smack and hailed her, the master asking the way as he was Hull bound and other conversation took place. This resulted in the second hand being transferred to the steamer to take her to a pilot. When the master saw the young looking hand he hesitated, but in order to get the advantage of the experience of the skipper he agreed to tow the smack into Grimsby. It was claimed that the skipper directed the course. On arrival at Grimsby the skipper asked what the master was going to pay for his services. The master was most unhappy and retorted that the smack had had a ‘tow up’.
30.7.1897: At the Hull Admiralty court an action was brought by the skipper and crew against the TURTLE with respect to services rendered. There was a counter-claim for the towage of the smack. The plaintiff’s case was that the TURTLE was a complete stranger to the locality, that the steamer was in great danger and, must have been lost owing to the fog, also not being able to take a pilot being outside the cruising area. The services of the smack it was contended were valuable and the steamer had been rescued from a position of danger. The counter-claim was for towage of the smack into Grimsby. The defendants urged that no salvage services were rendered or whatever services were rendered were under an agreement in exchange for towage. Having heard all the evidence from both parties, judgement was given for the defendants.
6.1899: Sold to William J. Armitage, 13 Sea View, Hoylake. Landing at Fleetwood.
1919: Sold to Samuel E. Dutton, Vynor Road, Bidston, Birkenhead (Herbert Pritchard, 88 Giglow Road, South Stanley. Liverpool, manager).
10.1929: Fishing in Morecambe Bay (Sk. Sam Colley) Reported that when fishing some 15 miles SW of the Lune lightship in company with the auxiliary smack MARGARET (FD208) (Sk. William Leadbetter), while preparing to make the first haul of the day, the mainmast broke. A serious incident was avoided by the jib halyards preventing the mast falling on to the crew on deck. Managed to return to Fleetwood unaided.
1.11.1929: Reported that with so few smacks left in the port, it has not yet been possible to secure a mast of suitable proportions. Inquiries have been made in Liverpool, Preston and other NW ports.
3.1930: Reported laid up at Fleetwood “unprofitable to run”.
4.11.1930: Sailed for the fishing grounds in company with LORD MARMION (FD131) and the auxiliary smack HARRIET (FD111).
5.11.1830: In the early hours, about 4.00am, fishing some 40 miles from Fleetwood, some miles away from the other two smacks, weather conditions deteriorated. Hauled gear. HARRIET, sizing up the situation it was agreed that she would take the LORD MARMION in tow for home. Closed the LORD MARMION, connected and after a six hour tow arrived safely in port. ASHBY, with her gear stowed and under reduced sail arrived off the Wyre Light, taken in tow by the steam tug CLEVELEYS ((292grt/1902)) and brought safely into Fleetwood.
3.9.1934: Sailing as a private vessel (Capt. S. E. Dutton master/owner). Crew included Mr C. Boyd, Liverpool and Mrs Dutton. Anchored off Fleetwood but realising that they would take the ground, weighed anchor and tried to get into harbour.
4.9.1934: When it came light put out into very heavy seas, rolling with rails under and drifted on to the bank. Laid out kedge and got off on the flood and anchored close to the line of steamer traffic. The Harbour Master, Capt. J. Maskell, sent out instructions for the smack to be moved. As darkness approached the crew weighed anchor but drifted and fetched up on Barnett Bank. The Fleetwood Lifeboat, SIR FITZROY CLAYTON, (Cox. Leadbetter) stood by until the smack refloated and re-anchored in the Wyre Channel.
6.9.1934: On the evening tide arrived Fleetwood and reported that they had had a very rough passage from Liverpool. The mainsail was blown away in a squall and the punt on deck filled with water. Capt Dutton had facial injuries, having been struck by the foresail bulls-eye block during a squall.
1936: Laid up.
1940: Sold to W. A. Jones & Irene F. Jones, Parkgate.
5.1940: Converted to auxiliary motor.
4.5.1940: Re-registered as auxiliary motor at Grimsby (GY359).
By 31.8.1948: Not listed.

Click to enlarge image

sv Ashby GY359
Image from the Internet

Changelog
05/01/2009: Page published.
26/10/2014: Information amended.
12/08/2022: Substantial update to history.