Tag Archives: Sailing Trawler

s.v. Elizabeth and Emma FD6

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Gary Hicks Plymouth Merchant Ships

Technical

Official Number: 17227
Net Tonnage: 33n (35 tons burthen)
Length: 42’
Breadth: 14’ 91/2”
Depth: 7’
Rig: Smack (sloop rigged)

History

8.4.1830: Launched at Plymouth, builder not recorded, for John Gambell Jnr (64/64), Plymouth as ELIZABETH & EMMA.
24.4.1830: Registered at Plymouth. Trading coastwise.
26.9.1834: Sailed Plymouth for Roscoff (Macey, master).
12.6.1835: Sailed Plymouth for Roscoff (Macey, master).
23.6.1835: Arrived Plymouth from Roscoff (Macey, master).
13.5.1840: Re-measured 41.7 x 12.7 x 6.85 feet 26 tons burthen.
13.5.1840: Register closed and re-registered following re-measurement.
13.8.1844: Strong SW breeze, heavy rain, put in to Plymouth on passage Roscoff for Looe (Macey, master).
29.1.1850: Sold to George Hall (64/64), Manchester (Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Co Ltd, Manchester). Capt Rode, manager. Transferred to Fleetwood.
8.5.1850: Landed at Fleetwood, sailed same day for fishing grounds.
23.7.1850: Plymouth registry closed.
23.7.1850: Registered at Fleetwood.
12.5.1851: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds.
13.6.1852: Landed at Fleetwood.
20.11.1854: Reregistered at Fleetwood O.N.17227.
7.2.1860: In a very congested port of Fleetwood. At about 10.00pm, nearly two hours before high water and a very high spring tide flowing, the wind had increased to gale force. During a heavy squall, the Liverpool registered ship REFUGE (803tons/1851), from New Orleans cotton laden and moored to the quay with strong lines, parted her stern ropes and swung round starting a series of mishaps which saw many vessels adrift and damaged. The fishing boats faired very badly, rails, topmasts, waists, spars and other fittings being broken and carried away. Bulwarks damaged and stanchions carried away. Estimated damage to ships in the harbour between £2,000 and £3,000.
17.5.1864: Re-measured 33.65 tons.
17.5.1864: Re-registered at Fleetwood following re-measurement.
24.5.1865: When some ten miles from Fleetwood at about 12.30pm, James Wilson the skipper sighted a body floating in the water. The body was that of a man and was taken onboard, brought into Fleetwood and taken to the Steamer Hotel. The body had been in the water four or five months and there was speculation that it was a body from the Confederate States paddle warship LELIE (1864) which had foundered some 10 miles off Hilbre Point, Wirral on 14 January, Liverpool for Bermuda, with great loss of life. It was also surmised that the man might be Mr. Thomas Miller whose family had offered a reward for recovery of the body. However, from the description and from the number on his Lever Hunting Watch it was presumed to be that of Captain Sinclair of the Confederate States Army.
2.6.1865: At the inquest the body was formally identified as that of Captain Sinclair.
1867: Registered at Fleetwood (FD6).
By 1865: Owned by F. W. Rigby, Preston.
9.3.1871: The tide was very high at Fleetwood and the strong SW wind caused the current in the river after high water to be very rapid and rough. The punt, with a man in it, broke away from the smack, and was carried out of the harbour at a good rate watched by many spectators. Fortunately the paddle tug WYRE (165grt/1862) had attended pontoons that had also broken away and was able to follow the punt out into the bay and succeeded in picking up the man, though the task was difficult on account of the rough sea. The punt was left adrift.
1874: Sold to William Wignall, Fleetwood.
31.3.1876; Reported that at Fleetwood Magistrates Court, Matthew Sumner, an old fisherman, brought an action to recover the sum of £2 16 9d from defendant John Wignall instead of William Wignall. William Wignall who was in court came forward and consented to the case proceeding without his being summoned. The plaintiff said that he was engaged as captain of the smack by the defendant at 4s per week as wages for the fourteen weeks from 25 September to 31 December. When he went to the smack she was unseaworthy and power was given to him to put things right. Accordingly he obtained tackle from Mr Cox but nothing that was not necessary. The defendant said that no agreement was made and he objected to pay the wages as he got the boat in debt and left with only five minutes warning. William Ashcroft said that Sumner was previously in one of his smacks and received £10 8s /year in addition to his share. William Hudson said the plaintiff was allowed to go to the smack on condition that he was paid what he was worth, however, he got the smack £15 in debt. The usual pay was 2s per week. The court adjudged that they could not admit that because the plaintiff had got the boat in debt he should not be paid his wages and
accordingly they would allow 2s per week – Verdict for the plaintiff for £1 8s.
27.2.1881: At Fleetwood laid alongside the schooner EMILY WARBRICK (167grt/1872) (W. Bond, master). Both vessels had cabin broken into and clothing and other goods stolen. Skipper William Wignall had two coats taken. Thieves not apprehended.
28.11.1884: THE FISHING SMACK, “ELIZABETH AND EMMA” of and at Fleetwood, with all gear. Must be sold. No reserve – Apply to AMER and Co, Accountants, Fleetwood.
16.1.1885: Sold to Mr William Hudson for the sum of £11.
16.6.1886: Fleetwood registry closed “Condemned at Fleetwood”.

Changelog
14/01/2014: Page added.
11/11/2014: Information updated.
23/03/2015: Added information.
26/01/2023: Updated history.

s.v. Meta FD5

Technical

Registered Part IV
Gross Tonnage: 22
Sailing trawler/steam trawler/liner

History

Previously registered at Caernarvon (CO98).
Converted to steam.
2.1919: Sold to M. Blyth, Fleetwood.
26.2.1919: Registered at Fleetwood (FD5).
15.7.1919: Sold to ??, ??.
9.3.1920: Fleetwood registry closed “Broken up”.

Changelog

22/08/2010: Page published.

s.v. Fern Leaf BM317


Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 131935
Completed: 1911
Gross Tonnage: 41
Net Tonnage: 29
Length: 64.7 ft
Breadth: 16.2 ft
Depth: 7.9 ft
Rig: Ketch/Aux-trawling
Built: Sanders & Co, Galmpton, Devon

History

1911: Completed by Sanders & Co, Galmpton for Charles Bond, 16 Prospect Road, Brixham as FERN LEAF.
25.10.1911: Registered at Brixham (BM317).
5.12.1912: Reported hull damage following collision with other Brixham smacks.
5.5.1919: Sold to Charles C. Bond, Church Street, Brixham.
28.8.1919: At Brixham took part in race for Brixham registered ketch rigged trawlers over 40grt. In very light winds, with MISTLETOE (BM250) (Sk. E. R. King), VIOLET (BM228) (Sk.T. Lovell) and SUNNY ISLE (BM318) (Capt Jones) participated. After a collision at the start between SUNNY ISLE and VIOLET, made good of her advantage and got away from her rivals finishing the winner (First Prize £15, Special for owner, £10 and three gallons of anti fouling paint).
23.7.1920: In the early morning off the Lizard (Sk. E. Maddick), in rough weather with a heavy sea running, the main mast fell over the starboard side, fortunately without injuring any of the crew. The top portion of the stem was damaged and the main gaff, mainsail, fore sail and rigging had to be cut away.
24.7.1920: Sk. Maddick, with great skill, navigated the smack back to Brixham without the need of a tow. The smack is insured by the Brixham Fishing Smack Insurance Society.
20.8.1920: Brixham Royal Regatta, The Perpetual Challenge Cup, “Vancouver Trophy” and added prizes for Brixham registered ketch rigged trawlers over 40grt. Participated along with LOVE AND UNITY (BM263) (Sk. W. Dart), PREVALENT (BM337) (Sk. J. H. Blackhurst) and SEAPLANE (BM83) (Sk. R. C. Elliot). The winner was PREVALANT by about eight and a half minutes and in an exciting finish FERN LEAF took second place from SEAPLANE by seven seconds.
192?: Remeasured 24n.
1922: Sold to George Henry Cole, 10 Trafalgar Terrace, Brixham.
25.4.1925: Sold to Charles M. Ashford, Brixham.
30.8.1925: Sold to John Edmund Rowse Jnr (64/64), Milford Haven.
26.3.1927: At Newlyn, alongside an East Coast drifter (Sk. Richard Penny). In the afternoon, a Penzance youth by the name of Dunn, in crossing the boats, fell between the two. On hearing the splash, Sk. Penny, who was onboard at the time, went to his assistance. Being unable to reach the lad, he jumped into the water and took hold of him. The boats were ranging against each other and those men that had gathered, with great difficulty, kept them apart. Penny was able to pass the lad to those on deck and he was hauled onboard. Penny, a large man, made for a difficult task, but he was safely hauled out of the water.
21.8.1921: At the Brixham Regatta, ketch rigged trawler REPLETE (BM27) (Sk J. R. Bond) under full sail, came between the Committee boat and the FERN LEAF and collided with a launch owned by Mr S, Ellis, Brixham, which was chartered to carry the British Movietone News camera crew. The launch which had been attempting to come alongside the Committee boat was badly damaged, but the camera equipment (£2,000) was saved and the damaged launch towed into Brixham.
26.8.1932: Reported finished fifth (Sk. J. Rowsell) in the annual Brixham Regatta.
22.1.1934: Sold to Ralph Stockman Dugdall (64/64), The Quay, Brixham.
25.8.1934: Reported finished fourth in the annual Brixham Regatta.
4.7. 1935: Reported finished third in the annual Brixham Regatta.
24.8.1936: Reported finished third in the annual Brixham Regatta.
1938: Remeasured 13n.
1938: Fitted with 8nhp oil engine, re-classed as auxiliary fishing vessel.
1938: Brixham registry closed. Reregistered as an auxiliary fishing vessel by Ralph S. Dugdall, 57 Esplanade, Fleetwood.
9.2.1941: Requisitioned for war service and employed on miscellaneous naval duties (Hire rate £20.0.0d/month).
1942: Brixham registry closed “no longer fishing”.
1943: Based Clyde as TRV attached to Alexandria Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire.
1946: Returned to owner.
1947: Sold to William Newton (64/64),
113 Abercrombie Road, Fleetwood.
6.6.1947: Reported that a company, the Fern Leaf Co Ltd, had been formed at Fleetwood with a capital of £5,000, to acquire the business of fishing vessel owner William Newton. The directors are William Newton and Arthur Smith with the registered office 134-136 Dock Street, Fleetwood.
1947: Sold for breaking up.

Click to enlarge image

Fern Leaf BM317

Fern Leaf BM317
Picture from the Internet

Changelog

05/04/2010: Page published.
10/11/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
20/09/2022: Updated history.

s.v. Brazen Nose FD3

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm

Technical

Official Number: 17237
Completed: 1839
Registered Tonnage: 27
Net Tonnage: 28
Rig: Smack
Built: ??, Lytham

History

1839: Completed by ??, Lytham for ??, ?? as BRAZEN NOSE.
3.6.1851: Landed at Fleetwood.
4.6.1851: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds.
18.6.1851: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds.
19.6.1851: Landed at Fleetwood.
23.6.1851: Sailed Fleetwood for fishing grounds.
24.7.1851: Landed at Fleetwood.
27.11.1851: Registered at Fleetwood. O.N.17237.
28.6.1852: Landed at Fleetwood.
10.8.1863: At Blackpool Petty Sessions, seven fishermen, Peter Leadbetter (ALICE); James Wilson (BRAZEN NOSE); Richard Wright (ELIZABETH); William Ball (EMMA); Nicholas Leadbetter (MARY ELLEN) and Richard Roskell (NIMBLE), had summonses issued against them for illegally landing and having onboard their vessels quantities of oysters during a prohibited time of the year. Richard Roskell giving evidence maintained that they could not avoid catching these oysters which damaged their nets, and that they were not the type of oysters forbidden in the Act. After legal argument the cases against William Ball, Peter Leadbetter, Richard Roskell and James Wilson were dismissed with costs; Nicholas Leadbetter and Richard Wright were each fined 8s and costs.
18.12.1964: Reported that at Fleetwood Magistrates Court, Peter Leadbetter Jnr, Richard Leadbetter, Henry Clarkson and William Horne were charged with that on the night of 23rd November, secreted 112lbs of palm oil. Part of the cargo of the brig CHIMERA of Liverpool. wrecked off Lytham on 18th November. The casks of oil were landed along with the catch, some 20 baskets of fish, and driven away from the Ferry Boat slip. When challenged by Matthias Flatworthy, coastguard, Clarkson said they had picked up three casks of oil. Later Flatworthy returned and searched the small boat and found nothing but walking away saw a fish basket hidden behind the piling and on inspection it contained a cask of palm oil to the value of 30s – £2. The case was proven but the bench wished to treat the defendants leniently and were fined 1s each with costs.
11.1.1865: Owned by Peter Leadbetter, Victoria Street, Fleetwood. Registered at Fleetwood (FD3).
1885: Not recorded in MNL after this year.

Changelog
08/01/2010: Page published.
20/12/2022: Updated information.

sv Impregnable – FD178

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: Part IV registered
Completed: 1903
Gross Tonnage: 98.4
Net Tonnage: 49.84
Length: 69.4 ft
Breadth: 18.4 ft
Depth: 9.9 ft
Built: Wm. Fulton, Pittenweem as a liner/seiner

History

1903: Completed by Wm. Fulton, Pittenweem for George Flett & W. McKechnie, Pittenweem as IMPREGNABLE. Registered at Methil (ML24).
Pre 1910: Auxiliary motor fitted.
3.5.1927: At Fleetwood landed 30 boxes.
10.5.1927: At Fleetwood landed 60 boxes.
5.1928: Sold to Frederick Newton, Bispham Road, Blackpool. Methil registry closed.
22.5.1928: Registered at Fleetwood (FD178).
15.6.1928: Sold to Sk. Frederick Newton, Bispham Road, Blackpool & Sk. Walter Holmes, 10 Lowther Rd, Fleetwood. Carried out seining trials on Kish Bank off east coast of Ireland. Returned after six days with no fish.
27.6.1928: Sailed for Clyde for further trials with the seine net; five crew all told.
9.7.1928: Returned to Fleetwood under sail having suffered damage to engine. Trials unsuccessful.
2.11.1928: Reported sold to Freetown (Sierra Leone) Cold Storage Co, Freetown (Mr F. A. Schumacher & Straumann, Swiss businessman) To be refitted under the supervision of Capt William Ellis who will be in command. New engine to be installed, hull copper sheathed, accommodation improved, stowage for 2,500 galls of bunker oil and a full suit of sails provided, all at a cost of about £2,000.
12.1928: Fitted with 4-cyl 60bhp two stroke heavy oil engine by Widdop & Co, Keighley.
1.1.1929: Because the directors of the Freetown (Sierra Leone) Cold Storage Co, Freetown were not British subjects the ship could not sail under the British flag.
19.1.1929: Fleetwood registry closed “Sold to foreigners (Belgian (sic) subjects)”. Registered in Switzerland as ADVENTURE.
24.1.1929: At 11.00am sailed Wyre Dock for Lune Deeps and compass adjustments with vessels in the dock sounding their sirens. On completion returned to North End and at 5.05pm sailed for Freetown, Sierra Leone (Capt William Ellis); six hands all told *. A distance of about 3,000 miles.
26.1.1929: Due to strong SW winds put into Newlyn at 2.30pm.
28.1.1929: Sailed Newlyn at 4.50am for Freetown via Las Palmas. After leaving Newlyn wind veered round to southward and freshened to gale force with heavy rain. Decided to turn back for Newlyn, arriving at 4.00pm.
3.2.1929: At 6.30am with more favourable weather forecast set out to cross the Bay of Biscay.
14.2.1929: At 8.10am arrived Las Palmas, Canary Islands.
16.2.1929: Sailed Las Palmas at 5.30pm for Freetown.
25.2.1929: Arrived off Freetown, laid off until daylight.
26.2.1929: At 10.30am ran into Freetown Harbour and anchored. Thirty-four days out of Fleetwood. The Underwriters were well pleased and their communication reads, “ The Underwriters express satisfaction at the quickness of her passage to Freetown and the excellent navigation on the part of the master (Capt W. Ellis) and her crew.”
4.3.1929: With only Capt Ellis, his son and William Hargreaves remaining in Murray Town (31/2 miles from Freetown), started fishing trials and crew training.
6.3.1929: Crew returning to Britain, joined Liverpool steamer BODNANT (5342grt/1919) for passage to Liverpool.
8.4.1929: Capt Ellis reported that the grounds are bare and no fish caught at all, the locals stating that there will be no fish until the rainy season starts. Crew training with various methods of fishing continued.
21.8.1929: Capt Ellis returned to Fleetwood. His son and William Hargreaves having already returned home. The boat is now in the hands of her local crew.

* Crew – Capt William Ellis, 4 Deepdale Road, Fleetwood, Master; Thomas Carpenter, 19 Walmsley Street, Fleetwood, Mate; Ernest Gathercole, 9 Longton Avenue, Thornton., Ch Eng; Mr Cliff, 4 Bramwell Avenue, Leigh (Widdop guarantee engineer); Thomas E. Ellis (Capt’s younger son) and James Hargreaves, Station House, Knott End, Deckhands.

Click to enlarge image

Impregnable FD178

sv Impregnable FD178

Changelog
20/02/2009: Page published.
22/07/2016: Information added.
02/05/2019: Updated information.
20/02/2022: Updated history.