Tag Archives: Parkes

S.T. Braconvale FD80

Additional information courtesy of Göran Olsson

Technical

Official Number: 180344
Yard Number: 772
Completed: 1947
Gross Tonnage: 295
Net Tonnage: 116
Length: 129.6 ft
Breadth: 24.8 ft
Depth: 13.0 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 650IHP T.3-cyl by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

6.12.1946: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.772) for Association Rochelaise de Peche a Vapeur, La Rochelle as ARTOIS (LR4049).
27.1.1947: Completed.
1951: Sold to Grange Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd). Registered at Fleetwood as BRACONVALE (FD80).
1952: Sold to Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd). Fishing from Fleetwood.
30.5.1952: In fair weather, good visibility but rough seas, collided with Swedish wooden motor fishing vessel GULSKÄR (LL357) (74grt/1950) which was at anchor 32 miles NW of Muckle Flugga Lighthouse. Sustained no damage, GULSKÄR was struck midships on port side and damaged but able to return to Sweden for repair.
11.8.1955: Transferred to Grimsby.
19.12.1955: Sold to Findus Hammerfest, Hammerfest (Hammerfest Havfiske A/L, managers). Registered at Hammerfest as MASI (F-29-H).
Pre 1959: Sold to Hammerfest Havfiske A/L, Hammerfest (Leif Throne-Holst, manager).
1959: Lengthened to 153.8 feet 357g 125n.
1959: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
Pre 1966: Delete manager.
1970: Sold to Anda Brodrene A/S, Stavanger for breaking up.
31.3.1970: Breaking up commenced at Stavanger.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Artois LR4049
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

S.T. Braconvale FD80
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Masi F29H
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Masi F29H
Picture courtesy of Jonleif (TPF)

S.T. Masi F29H
Picture courtesy of Frode

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.

S.T. Braconglen FD283

Technical

Official Number: 180337
Yard Number: 377
Completed: 1949
Gross Tonnage: 338
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 137.5 ft
Breadth: 25.6 ft
Depth: 12.3 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull. Built 1945, fitted 1949. Fitted: for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F
Built: Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft

History

2.12.1948: Launched by Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft (Yd.No.377) for Don Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood) (Basil A. Parkes, manager) as BRACONGLEN.
3.1949: Completed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD283).
13.5.1949: First landing at Fleetwood, 1286 boxes grossed £3,729.
28.7.1950: Last landing at Fleetwood 381 boxes grossed £1,219.
7.1950: Sold to Government of Ceylon, Colombo (Edmund R. A. de Zylva, Director of Fisheries). Taken in hand by Richards and fitted with refrigerated fishroom and air conditioning.
1950: At Lowestoft yard of Richards Ironworks Ltd. Fitted with fish room refrigeration and accommodation modfied and air conditioned by J. & E. Hall Ltd, Dartford.
1950: Fleetwood registry closed.
1951: Registered at Columbo.
Pre 1966: Transferred to Government of Ceylon (Government Stores Dept), Colombo.
1971: Sank in Colombo harbour.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Braconglen FD283
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

S.T. Braconglen FD283
Picture courtesy of the JJ collection

S.T. Braconglen FD283
Picture courtesy of Fred Baker

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 3 updates since then.

S.T. Sethon FD166

Additional information courtesy of Bill Blow

Technical

Official Number: 138974
Yard Number: 345
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 295
Net Tonnage: 114
Length: 130.2 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 540ihp T.3-cyl and boiler by Amos & Smith Ltd, Hull
Speed: 9.5 knots

History

22.4.1916: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.345) for The Standard Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby as SETHON.
28.6.1916: Registered at Grimsby (GY928).
28.6.1916: Walter William Butt appointed manager.
16.10.1916: Completed. Walter W. Butt appointed manager.
10.1916: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr HA, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.3310). Northern Patrol.
Post 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Grimsby.
8.3.1920: Off the Faeroe Islands damaged in collision with steam trawler FAVORITA (GY1039) which sustained damage shell plates at port bow and also stem.
26.8.1926: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to Midland Bank Ltd, London (A).
8.4.1938: Bill Butt appointed manager.
28.6.1938: Albert Wright Butt appointed manager.
5.6.1940: Requisitioned for war service as an auxiliary patrol vessel (Hire rate £83.11.8d/month).
5.1941: Fitted out as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.883).
1.12.1941: Mortgage (A) discharged.
14.1.1942: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Hull (temporary address, 231 Dock St, Fleetwood).
22.1.1942: Basil Arthur Parkes, Cleveleys appointed manager).
9.1945: Restored and surveyed at Glasgow.
2.10.1945: Returned to owner.
30.11.1945: Insured value £17,000; for 1946 proposed same.
3.12.1945: Sold to Mason Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
10.12.1945: Robert Houseman Bagshaw appointed manager.
18.1.1946: Grimsby registry closed.
1.1946: Registered at Fleetwood (FD166).
1.3.1957: Sailed Fleetwood for West of Scotland grounds (Sk. J.E. Mitchinson); thirteen crew.
2.3.1957: In the early morning in transit through the Sound of Islay with hazy conditions and a strong tide running, stranded on Black Rock. Crew taken off by Port Askaig lifeboat and landed at Port Askaig. Attended by FLANDERS (FD165)(Sk. T.W. Kirby MBE), connected but tow parted.
3.3.1957: Further attempt to refloat failed.
5.3.1957: Commenced lightening, removing ice and coal.
16.3.1957: Refloated under own power.
18.3.1957: Returned to Fleetwood.
19.3.1957: Slipped. Bottom plating set up and leaking. Repairs could not be effected due to strike at Robertson’s.
4.1957: Repaired and returned to service.
5.1958: Grounded on wreck of HMS Drake in Church Bay, Rathlin Island. Came off with Portrush lifeboat standing by.
1959: Sold to Scrappingco S.r.l, Antwerp for breaking up.
16.7.1959: Sailed Fleetwood for Boom.
7.1959: Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Sethon FD166
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Sethon FD166
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Big Cod
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Joe Parkinson and John Shaw
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Fishing
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

A good bag
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Into the pounds
Picture courtesy of The David Parkinson Collection

Changelog
14/01/2009: Page published. 4 updates since then.
03/08/2021: Information updated.

S.T. San Sebastian FD126

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger
Technical

Official Number: 148223
Yard Number: 57
Completed: 1917
Gross Tonnage: 271
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 125.7 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.7 ft
Built: Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
Engine: T.3-cyl by Marine Iron Works, Chicago.
Boiler: 480ihp Canadian Allis Chalmers Ltd, Toronto

History

1.1917: Ordered.
1918: Launched by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada (Yd.No.57) (Canadian “Castle” – “T.R.” class) for The Admiralty (paid for and built under direction of RCN) as TR.11.
28.6.1918: Completed and commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy (1-123pdr).
8.1919: Paid off and laid up.
1920: Accepted offer of Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd, Inverness (Captain D. J. Munro as agent) to bring drifters with trawlers as escorts to UK for lay-up in Muirtown Basin, Caledonian Canal, Inverness prior to sale and possible refit for classification as steam trawlers (The Rose Street Foundry & Engineering Co Ltd letter dated 12 April 1920).
1921: Brought over at The Admiralty’s expense.
1.1926: Still laid up.
2.1926: Rejected offer for all remaining trawlers at £2,000 each (B. Allenby, Aberdeen letter dated 10 Feb 1926).
8.1926: Sold “as is” to Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Grimsby (Fred Parkes, Blackpool, manager).
17.9.1926: Renamed SAN SEBASTIAN (FD126).
04.1932: On three month charter to Sea Fisheries Association of Ireland, to fish out of Dublin, Galway and other ports. Charter to be exended if needed.
05.05.1932: Sailed for Ireland.
17.1.1933: At 6.58 am. stranded near White Beach Point, NE side of Galway Bay, propeller damaged (Sk. William McLennan). At 8.32 am. trawler MALAGA (GY393) (Sk. W. Kay) standing by and will connect and attempt to refloat. At 11.30 am. refloated and taken to anchorage to await tide to Galway. Due to dense fog unable to find the port for 24 hours.
18.01.1933: Spotted in fog by the pilot boat and guided into Galway.
5.6.7.1933: Chartered by Italian Government to provide support for a transAtlantic flight involving 20 to 30 aeroplanes.
9.5.1933: Sailed Fleetwood for NW Atlantic.
19.5.1933: Arrived St. John’s, Newfoundland.
9.1.1937: Sailed Fleetwood at 9.40 a.m. for West of Scotland grounds with a crew of thirteen (Sk. Richard W. Pook).
10.1.1937: At approx 2.5 a.m. ran into heavy rain and reduced visibility of about 2 miles. At approx 3.10 a.m. stranded on rocks off Iommalach Rock 2 miles off Ardbeg, Islay. Pounded heavily on rocks and rolled over to starboard. Crew abandoned and eight men landed on rocks, skipper on a separate rock; four crew lost.
11.1.1937: At about 9.00 a.m. eight men rescued from rock by PIBROCH (96grt/1923) on passage Glasgow-Port Ellen. At approx 2.0 p.m. skipper rescued.
2.2.1937: Fleetwood registry closed “Total loss”.
23.3.1937: At BOT Formal Investigation (No.S.382), it was concluded that the stranding and subsequent loss was caused by the wrongful act and defaults of Sk. Pook. His ticket was suspended for twelve months. It was also found that the stranding and total loss was caused by the defaults of the mate James A. Maunder. He was severely censured.

(Survivors (all Fleetwood unless stated)- Sk. Richard Pook; James Maunder, Mate; Harold Evans, Bosun; William Pye, Ch.Eng; James McLellan; Gilbert Pook; Robert Allen; James Meagher, deckhands; Frank Haugherty, Rochdale, fireman.
Lost – T. W. Archer, 2nd Eng; W. Sharp; Joseph Cox, Blackpool; Joseph Gledhill, Heywood, deckhands.)

Notes

It was a case of every man for himself when SAN SEBASTIAN hit rocks and the crew were thrown overboard.
Four men died and the rest of the shipmates spent hours clinging to rocks before being rescued. The Skipper – who had been seen in hanging in the rigging – was stranded on rocks for 10 hours!

She struck rocks off the coast of the island of Islay, Argyllshire, on her way to the fishing grounds.
A crew member revealed what happened as the ship foundered.

“We felt the ship strike and could see we were on a reef. We launched the lifeboat but it crashed against the rail of the ship. Eight of us were thrown into the sea. The SAN SEBASTIAN had a dangerous list and although we were hanging on we were swept overboard. The last time I saw the Skipper he was in the rigging.”

“I got on the rocks and others came up in the darkness. We counted ourselves and found only 8 present. None of us were fully clothed and we were on the rocks for 7 hours.”
They were picked up by the Glasgow Steamer, Pibroch, and three bodies were later recovered.
Skipper Pook said he realised that survival was going to be a life and death struggle. He had been flung into the sea as the trawler toppled over.

“I was going round in circles and have been swimming about a mile. Then I reached a fairly big rock and, almost exhausted, pulled myself up. It was bitterly cold. I lay down but had to try and keep warm so I waved my arms and stamped my feet.”
While sitting there marooned, one of the ship’s lifebelts was washed on the rocks.”

“Then dawn broke and I saw a boat rescue the crew who had managed to reach the rock that SAN SEBASTIAN had struck. I tried to attract their attention but they were half a mile away and didn’t notice me.
When I had been on the rock 10 hours I saw a boat in the distance. I signaled it and they took me off.”

download the PDF BOT report into the stranding.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. San Sebastian FD126
Picture courtesy of John Clarkson

S.T. San Sebastian FD126
Courtesy of Elizabeth Shaw

Changelog
27/04/14: Information updated.
16/02/2015: Added survivor account.
16/01/2017: Added BOT report.
10/09/2024: Information updated

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.