Additional information courtesy of David Slinger, Bill Blow and Andy Hall

Technical

Official Number: 137018
Yard Number: 616
Completed: 1915
Gross Tonnage: 321
Net Tonnage: 139
Length: 130.3 ft
Breadth: 24.0 ft
Depth: 13.1 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 520ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull

History

22.10.1914: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby (Yd.No.616) for The Crown Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as CUIRASS.
12.1.1915: Certificate of completion issued.
21.1.1914: George Edward James Moody designated manager.
22.1.1915: Registered at Grimsby (GY436).
27.1.1915: Completed.
5.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA) (Ad.No.851). Based Humber.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
25.10.1920: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to London Joint City & Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
28.12.1921: During WNW Force 8 gale in collision off Maughold Head, Isle of Man with steam trawler JOSEPH HODGKINS (A186) which subsequently foundered. Crew picked up by steam trawler JACINTA (FD325) and landed at Fleetwood. Returned to Fleetwood with extensive damage.
27.11.1923: Mortgagee re-styled Midland Bank Ltd, London.
13.2.1928: At night dodging off St. Kilda in very heavy weather (Capt. W. Brewster), wireless operator R. W. O. Ridley (23), picked up distress call from steam trawler BRIARLYN (FD220) (Sk. James Sandham) which had struck ledges in North Bay, Hirta off the island of Soay and come fast. Responded. Four of the BRIARLYN crew, Daniel George Reader, William Howarth, Michael Brady and Michael Duhig * managed to get away in the dinghy but with the oars lost on launching they were helpless. On arrival in the Bay and with great skill and seamanship on the part of Capt. Brewster these men were picked up. Eight men remained on board and two attempts were made to reach the wreck, manning first the dinghy and then their own boat, but the wind and sea were high and both attempts failed.
14.2.1928: Stood by until daybreak but by then only 15ft of the mainmast and about 6ft of the mizzen mast could be seen. Search was continued for the eight men but no one was found. With wind rising to a gale, left the area for shelter. Islanders searched the cliffs and rocks in the vicinity but there was no trace of the remainder of the crew.
15.2.1928: Returned to wreck and continued search, but without success and reluctantly left the area.
5.3.1934: Mortgage (A) discharged.
6.3.1934: Sold to George Edward James Moody, Henry Kelly & Will Bancroft Moody, all Grimsby (64/64 joint owners).
6.3.1934: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (B).
12.3.1934: George Edward James Moody designated managing owner.
28.3.1939: Henry Kelly died.
24.5.1939: Probate granted to George Edward James Moody & Will Bancroft Moody, Grimsby (64/64 joint owners).
23.9.1939: George Edward James Moody died.
14.10.1939: Probate granted to Will Bancroft Moody, Grimsby (64/64).
12.12.1939: Will Bancroft Moody designated managing owner.
11.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No.Z.150) (Hire rate £88.5.6d/month).
8.1.1942: Mortgage (B) discharged.
30.10.1942: Sold to North Shore Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
5.10.1942: Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys designated manager.
23.11.1943: Compulsorily acquired by Ministry of War Transport.
1944: Based at Fort William (D. MacBrayne Ltd, Glasgow, agents).
4.2.1946: Fleetwood registry closed “… registry no longer required”.
1950: Sold to BISCO and allocated to Thos. W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up.
14.10.1950: Arrived at Barrow.

Note * : At a Ceremony presided over by Coun. W. Elliot, JP, Chairman of Fleetwood Urban District Council and other dignitaries, a presentation was made on behalf of the Underwriters and the Brooklyn Steam Fishing Co Ltd to Sk. Brewster and crew. The Skipper received a silver tea and coffee service and a suitably inscribed salver. The crew, S. Murgatroyd, Mate. G. Gristenthwaite, Ch Eng; B. Hampton, 2nd Eng; B.H. Masters, Bosun; R. W. O. Ridley Wireless operator; J. Hurr, T. H. Cowley, J. E. Ogden, J. Wright, Deckhands; J. Gilchrist & R. Hampton, Firemen, and L. G. Matthews, Cook, received monetary gifts and testimonials for there part in the rescue. The testimonials to S. Murgatroyd, J. Hurr, T. H. Cowley and J. E. Ogden recorded the fact that they twice put off in the boat to go to the rescue of the eight men left on the BRIARLN. That they were unsuccessful was not due to any fault on their part; they had only been beaten by the elements.

The RNLI also paid tributes to Capt. Brewster and the crew for their gallant efforts. The Institution presented its thanks inscribed on vellum to the steam trawler CUIRASS, an inscribed binocular glass to the skipper and a monetary award to each member of his crew.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Cuirass GY436
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection.

Changelog
19/05/2012: Page published. 6 updates since then.
08/07/2016: Information updated.
01/01/2016: Information updated.
02/02/2019: Information updated and removed FMHT watermark.
14/02/2020: Updated information.