Tag Archives: Wyre

S.T. Wigan FD241

Additional information courtesy of Milford Trawlers

Technical

Official Number: 139210
Yard Number: 633
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 275
Net Tonnage: 275
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Southbank on Tees, 1917
Engine: 87nhp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Hebburn on Tyne
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

3.4.1916: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.633) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood as WIGAN.
5.5.1916: Registered at Fleetwood (FD241).
5.1916: Completed. Magnus B. J. Wedum designated manager. Requisitioned from the builders for war service and fitted out as a minesweeper (1-12pdr) (Ad.No.1997). Based Humber.
26.9.1916: Sold to The Palatine Steam Trawling Co Ltd. Magnus B. J. Wedum designated manager.
1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
30.6.1928: Pursued by HMS SPEY when illegally trawling in the Firth of Clyde.
31.6.1928: In Campbeltown Sheriff Court, Sk. Nicholas Wright was fined £100 with forfeiture of the nets and gear for illegal trawling, £20 for concealment of identification marks and £50 for refusing to stop. For threatening Lt Woodriffe and Lt Aldridge with a gaff, George Grout, deckhand was fined £3 or 20 days imprisonment.
10.1928: Fitted with W/T.
16.12.1928: Informed Malin Head W/T Station that steam trawler BUSH (FD60) was ashore on rocks off Mull of Cantire, entrance to Islay Sound. That trawlers EDWARD CATTELLY (FD204) and VERA GRACE (FD211), the latter with a line aboard, were standing by and hoped to refloat on evening tide. No assistance was required. Attempt to refloat was unsuccessful.
11.1931: Sold to Wyre Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood. Magnus B. J.Wedum designated manager.
30.9.1932: Off Rathlin Island in heavy weather and gale, lost rudder. At 3.25 pm. steam trawler DAILY TELEGRAPH (GY367) connected and commenced tow to Fleetwood.
31.9.1932: Delivered Fleetwood.
1939: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Hull. Basil Arthur Parkes, Thornton-le-Fylde designated manager.
4.2.1940: Requisitioned for war service and designated for minesweeping duties (Hire rate £77.18.4d/month).
6.2.1940: Returned.
20.2.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.1583).
1942: Dover Channel sweeping.
1945: Returned.
3.8.1945: Sold to Manor Steamship Co Ltd, Milford Haven.
10.1946: Fleetwood registry closed.
4.11.1946: Registered at Milford (M144). Reginald L. Hancock designated manager.
3.1951: Sold to John Wood, Aberdeen.
27.3.1951: Milford registry closed.
29.3.1951: Registered at Aberdeen (A677). John Wood designated managing owner.
11.9.1953: Sold to The Leslie Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen John Wood designated manager.
15.5.1959: Sold to Looker Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen.
1959: Sold to BISCO and allocated to James A. White & Co Ltd, St. David’s, Fife for breaking up.
21.5.1959: Arrived St. David’s from Aberdeen under own power.
3.9.1959: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up.”

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Wigan FD241
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published. 5 updates since then.
25/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermark from images.
04/07/2020: Information updated.

S.T. Foss FD243

Technical

Official Number: 139212
Yard Number: 635
Completed: 1916
Gross Tonnage: 274.76
Net Tonnage: 107.61
Length: 125.4 ft
Breadth: 23.4 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough

History

19.4.1916: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.635) for The “Wyre” Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood as FOSS.
17.5.1916: Registered at Fleetwood (FD243).
5.1916: Completed (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager). Requisitioned from the builders for war service (Ad.No.3278). Commissioned. Fitted with Hotchkiss 1-12pdr, W/T (Call sign XPA) and modified mine-sweep. Fitted out as Leader.
By 10.1916: Allocated to Unit No.85 – 3rd Division based St. Mary’s, Scilly Islands (Sub Lieut. F.A. Orriss RNR).
1.10.1918: At Isles of Scilly for General Patrol and Escort work (Lieut. RNR).
12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
10.1928: Fitted with W/T.
3.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom defence vessel (P.No.Z.144) (Hire rate £77.18.4d/month).
1943: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London (W. A. Bennett, manager).
23.11.1943: Compulsorily acquired by M.O.W.T.
1944: Based at Fort William (D. MacBrayne Ltd, Glasgow, agents).
7.1946: Sold to Westburn (Fishing) Ltd, Aberdeen (George Murray, manager). Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Aberdeen (A269).
12.1956: Sold for breaking up. Aberdeen registry closed.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Foss FD243
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

S.T. Foss FD243
Picture courtesy of The Alan Hirst Collection

S.T. Foss FD243
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
26/01/2009: Page published.3 updates since then.
28/05/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks and added an image.
15/08/2019: Updated information.
04/11/2019: Added an image.
11/10/2020: Updated history.

S.T. Dragoon FD60

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

Technical
Official Number: 181280
Yard Number: 686
Completed: 1942
Gross Tonnage: 522.44
Net Tonnage: 196.81
Length: 167.7 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 14.1 ft
Built: Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley
Engine: 970ihp T.3-cyl by Charles D. Holmes & Co Ltd, Hull (later up-rated to 1050ihp)
Boiler: Central Marine Engine Works, West Hartlepool
Speed: 11 knots

History

18.1.1941: Ordered.
4.6.1941: Laid down.
21.10.1941: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.686) (“Hills” class) for The Admiralty as YES TOR (P.No.T.222).
10.4.1942: Completed (1-12pdr HA/LA, 4-MG, 1-20mm, ASDIC, DC).
1941: Home Fleet. Western Approaches based Campbeltown.
1942: To Freetown, 2nd A/S Group.
1945: Armament increased (2-20mm).
1946: Laid up at Rosyth on Disposal List (SORF, Rosyth).
10.4.1946: Sold to Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Hull for the sum of £27.500, estimated cost to convert for fishing, £32,000.
11.1946: Converted to a fishing vessel by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, North Shields.
1946: Engine re-rated 1050ihp.
12.11.1946: On completion of conversion, registered at Hull (Part I & IV) to Clyde Trawlers Ltd, Hull as CAPE CLEVELAND O.N.181280 (H355). Insured for the sum of £77,000. Gilbert Hudson designated manager.
7.12.1946: Sailed Hull for White Sea grounds (Sk. George William Thompson).
31.12.1946: At Hull landed 3,155 kits, £7,359 gross.
11.11.1947: Registered at Hull as STELLA CARINA (H355).
11.1947: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
7.6.1949: Clyde Trawlers Ltd, Hull placed in voluntary liquidation. Reginald Philip Clarke, Grimsby appointed Liquidator.
5.9.1949: Sold by the Liquidator to Hudson Brothers Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Hull.
18.10.1949: Registered at Hull as CAPE FINISTERRE (H355).
24.1.1952: Sold to The Great Grimsby & East Coast Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Grimsby. Albert Wright Butt designated manager.
28.1.1952: Hull registry closed.
29.1.1952: Registered at Grimsby (GY222).
20.2.1952: Registered at Grimsby as DRAGOON (GY222) (BoT Minute R.G.No.1025/52 dated 5.2.1952).
1953: Made one trip to Greenland fishery.
1959: Laid up at Grimsby.
27.8.1959: Being re-activated, two men overcome by fumes while inside boiler and died.
25.2.1960: Leslie Wheildon, Fleetwood designated manager.
26.2.1960: Arrived Fleetwood.
5.3.1960: Sold to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
16.3.1960: Grimsby registry closed.
16.3.1960: Registered at Fleetwood (FD60).
16.3.1960: Leslie Wheildon appointed manager.
14.10.1962: On NW coast of Iceland (Sk. Roy Belcher). Arrested for alleged illegal fishing and escorted to Isafjördhur.
16.10.1962: Court at Reykjavik fined Sk. Belcher £1,916 and confiscated nets and catch. Fine overturned by Icelandic Supreme Court.
15.9.1964: On north west Iceland grounds arrested for alleged illegal fishing. Court at Reykjavik.
12.1966: Sold to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
17.12.1966: Delivered Troon from Fleetwood under own power (draughts 7’6”/16’0”).
23.8.1968: Breaking commenced.
21.11.1968: Beached (draughts 7’0”/11’0”).
7.5.1969: Breaking completed.
29.12.1969: Fleetwood registry closed “Vessel broken up.”

Click to enlarge images

HMT Yes Tor
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Dragoon GY222
Picture from the Internet

S.T. Dragoon H222
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

S.T. Dragoon H222
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. Dragoon FD60
Picture courtesy of The Phil Rogers Collection

S.T. Dragoon FD60
Picture courtesy of The John Bonner Collection

S.T. Dragoon FD60
Picture from the Ineternet

S.T. Dragoon FD60
Picture courtesy of The Peter Hearn Collection

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
02/05/2016: Picture added.
28/07/2018: Information updated. Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
26/03/2019: Added a picture.
01/05/2020: Updated information.
01/09/2020: Added an image.

S.T. Imperialist FD83

Additional information courtesy of Mike Thompson and Geoff Davidson

Technical

Official Number: 167050
Yard Number: 1058
Completed: 1939
Gross Tonnage: 520.32
Net Tonnage: 190.57
Length: 175.9 ft
Breadth: 28.6 ft
Depth: 15.0 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough
Engine: 925ihp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Boiler: Richardson, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool

History

23.12.1938: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.1058) for Hull Great Northern Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Hull as IMPERIALIST.
1.1939: Completed.
28.1.1939: Registered at Hull (H2).
28.1.1939: Owen Stooks Hellyer designated manager.
30.1.1939: Sailed Hull on first trip to White Sea (Sk. H. Duffen).
16.2.1939: At Hull landed 1,870 kits grossed £1.212.
25.7.1939: Insured value £31,200.
14.8.1939: Sailed Hull for Bear Island last trip before requisition (Sk. A. Lynch).
30.8.1939: At Hull landed 1,199 kits £902 gross.
1939: To requisition, at Hull land from Iceland/White Sea/Bear Island (Sks. A. Lynch, R. Duffin, T. W. Ellis, J. C. Ashcroft) 189 days 17,262 kits £12,605.
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service and fitted out for anti submarine duties (P.No.FY.126) North Atlantic Command (Hire rate £390.0.0d/month).
17.2.1941: Sold to Hellyer Bros Ltd (64/64), Hull.
21.2.1941: Owen Stooks Hellyer appointed manager.
18.1.1942: At Gibraltar, 7th A/S Group, damaged by explosive charge placed onboard HM Trawler ERIN.
31.10.1943: At night in Strait of Gibraltar, north of Tangier, detected U-boat (U.732) in vicinity of convoy, depth charged and brought to surface, engaged with gunfire damaging conning tower but U-boat submerged. Two more depth charge attacks made but contact lost. (Pby Temp Lieut. P. E. Kito RNVR). Later HMS DOUGLAS (P.No.D90) (Lt Cdr. K. H. J. L. Phipps RN) in approx position of attack illuminated a U-boat (U.732) on the surface. Engaged with gunfire and several hits observed; crew abandoned the boat. Eighteen survivors picked in position 35.54N 05.52W. Thirty-one dead.
10.1945: Returned to owner at Hull.
30.11.1945: Insured value £52,500; for 1946 proposed £60,000.
1.1.1946: Sold to The Hull Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Hull.
1.1.1946: Richard Owen Hellyer appointed manager.
1.1947: Converted for burning oil fuel, F.P. above 150° F.
24.1.1947: Alteration to tonnage and other particulars, Certificate of Survey at Hull dated 9.1.1947. 526.25g 192.56n.
12.5.1947: Sold to The Northern Fishing Co (Hull) Ltd (64/64), Hull.
12.5.1947: Peter Anthony Hellyer appointed manager.
23.3.1948: Vessel mortgaged (64/64) to National Provincial Bank Ltd, London (A).
2.5.1949: Mark Hellyer and Graham Hellyer appointed managers.
6.1949: New boiler fitted.
9.10.1959: Outward for Icelandic grounds (Sk. Frank W. Drewery). In thick fog off the Yorkshire coast in collision with Turkish steamer YELKENCI (7046grt/1943) 15 miles east of Scarborough. Heavy damage to shell plating on the port side and beached south of Scarborough harbour.
11.10.1959: Refloated after temporary repairs and proceeded to Hull for permanent repair and return to service
7.3.1963: Sailed Hull Norway Coast, last trip from port (Sk. W. Hodgson).
29.3.1963: At Hull landed 1,304 kits grossed £5,329. Transferred within the Associated Fisheries Group to Fleetwood.
4.1963: First landing at Fleetwood from Icelandic grounds £3,034 gross.
10.10.1963: Sold to Wyre Trawlers Ltd (64/64), Fleetwood.
18.10.1963: Mortgage (A) discharged.
6.1.1964: Hull registry closed.
6.1.1964: Registered at Fleetwood (FD83).
6.1.1964: Leslie Wheilden appointed manager.
31.10.1964: Returned to Fleetwood with fire in store beneath forecastle accommodation. Crew unable to determine seat of fire and control flames. Attended by Fleetwood and Blackpool fire brigades and fire extinguished with limited damage.
18.10.1965: Dodging in a heavy gale on Icelandic grounds (Sk. John Mcklenburgh Jnr). Despite radar out of action and own machinery problems, went to the assistance of Icelandic fishing boat STRAKUR* (SI145) (40grt) disabled with engine trouble and leaking. Picked up seven crew members from an inflatable dinghy and with difficulty closed casualty and took off remaining two crew.
12.1966: Sold to West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Troon for breaking up.
20.12.1966: Delivered Troon Harbour from Fleetwood under own power (draughts7’9”/16’6”).
25.6.1968: Breaking commenced.
9.10.1968: Beached (draughts 8’6”/10’6”).
15.7.1969: Breaking completed.

*The National Lifesaving Association of Iceland awarded medals to Sk. Micklenburgh and his crew for the rescue of the crew of the Straker.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

HMT Imperialist
Picture courtesy of The Imperial War Museum

HMT Imperialist
Picture reproduced under IWM Non-Commercial Licence

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Westwood Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The George Scales Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Imperialist H2
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Len Charnley Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The John Bonner Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Frank Smith Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture courtesy of The Peter Green Collection

S.T. Imperialist FD83
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
25/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
23/04/2014: Picture added.
12/04/2015: Picture added.
20/07/2015: Picture added.
17/12/2015: Information updated.
02/05/2017: Removed disputed image and FMHT watermarks.
21/12/2017: Added images.
20/01/2021: Updated history.

S.T. Chorley FD26

Additional information courtesy of Andrew Fleming
Technical

Official Number: 136891
Yard Number: 567
Completed: 1914
Gross Tonnage: 284
Net Tonnage: 112
Length: 128.8 ft
Breadth: 23.5 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesborough
Engine: 85nhp T.3-cyl by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough
Speed: 10.5 knots

History

12.5.1914: Launched by Smith’s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank-on-Tees, Middlesbrough (Yd.No.567) for The Staretta Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood as CERESIA.
6.1914: Completed (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
23.6.1914: Registered at Fleetwood (FD26).
23.11.1914: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-12pdr, 1-7.5” A/S Howitzer) (Ad.No.194).
25.11.1914: Arrived Devonport for fitting out (VIVID II) Fitted as Leader.
21.12.1914: At Queenstown (COLLEEN).
28.1. – 13.2.1915: With minesweeping trawlers ROSE II (Ad.No.592) (GY312) and WALTHAM (Ad.No.689) (GY303) detached to Morecambe Bay.
12.3.1915: At Belfast & Larne (VALIANT II). 1.6.15: At Belfast & Larne (HERMIONE).
1.1.1916: At Belfast & Larne (THETIS).
5.1.1918: At Larne (VIGOROUS).
6.9.1918: Sold to The Palatine Steam Trawling Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Magnus B. J. Wedum, manager).
By 12.3.1919: Returned to owner at Fleetwood.
27.9.1921: Registered at Fleetwood as CHORLEY (FD26).
10.1928: Fitted with W/T.
17.5.1930: On grounds off St. Kilda, abandoned fishing due to weather. Passing island observed signals, entered Village Bay and islanders rowed out to ask to relay a message for assistance as a 22-year-old woman, Mary Gillies, was seriously ill. Trawler asked by Scottish Board of Health, Edinburgh to go to Leverburgh, Harris to pick up Dr Alexander Shearer and George Henderson from the Board of Health; owners approved. +
17.5.1930: Just before midnight arrived off St. Kilda but conditions in Village Bay very rough.
18.5.1930: At about 10.00 am. doctor and health inspector transferred to shore. Storm bound.
19.5.1930: Mary Gillies, suffering from a form of TB, assessed as too ill to be moved. Doctor and health official embarked and returned to Leverburgh.
22.5.1930: Returned to Fleetwood.
21.7.1930: Mary Gillies died at 5.55am. attended by Williamina Barclay the resident nurse; ten weeks after being seen by Dr. Shearer.
20.3.1931: Arrived Oban making water in forepeak.
21.12.1932: Stood by and attempted to refloat steam trawler VELIA (FD49) stranded two miles S of Point of Ayre, IoM.
1936: Sold to Ora Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood (Sydney Leech, manager).
25.1.1940: Requisitioned for war service as a boom gate vessel (P.No. Z.153) (Hire rate £75.14.8d/month). Based Plymouth (Ty/Boom Sk. Albert James Beckett RNR).
24.4.1942: Loaded boom material at RN Boom Depot, Turnchapel for transfer to Dartmouth and to relieve HM Trawler WESTLYN (P.No.Z154) (FD4) as Gate Vessel.
25.4.1942: At 0615 sailed for Dartmouth astern of minesweepers, Senior Officer (Lieut. W. F. Turner RNVR) in HM Trawler BILSDEAN (P.No.FY.503) (GN15) (not attached to them by Sailing Order). At 0830 in fresh weather started to take in water in fore messdeck through skylights, leaking deck seams and rivets, shell plating below bulwark, starboard side *, ventilators and later when down by the head, through main hatch. Under direction of Coxswain fore messdeck baling but water level increasing. Skipper informed. At about 1530, following a reduction in speed, Senior Officer asked what was wrong and Sk. Beckett replied ‘a hot bearing’, making no mention of leaks and flooding. BILSDEAN turned and came up to vessel which by now was listing to port and well down by the head. At 1615 foundered by the head off Start Point (wreck in position 50.9W 3.38W). Twenty survivors and two bodies picked up and landed Dartmouth. 1942: Fleetwood registry closed.
4.5.1942: Report of CinC Plymouth’s Board of Inquiry (No.M.591/84 dated 1 May 1942) found the loss of the vessel rests primarily with the Commanding Officer, Sk. Beckett, in that he could have returned to Plymouth once leakage was evident or turned stern to the sea and informed the Senior Officer; he did neither. It also considered that blame must rest on Commander C. R. Ryman RN, Boom Defence Officer, Plymouth for allowing the ship which was under his operational and administrative control to put to sea. The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth took blame on himself in that the organisation of his Command permitted this vessel to go to sea without proper Sailing Orders. The Director of Navigation in The Admiralty, however, made the following comments;
“Many craft in a Command are unfit to take passage except in favourable weather conditions, and it is the responsibility of the Command to see that these passages are only undertaken when conditions are suitable, and as far as I can see the Authority responsible for Sailing is the one chiefly responsible.”

Note +: George Henderson was the compiler of a critical report on the situation at St. Kilda and the health of the remaining residents. This report acted as a catalyst and was used in support of a petition to the Government by the remaining 36 inhabitants to be evacuated to the mainland. Evacuation of the island took place on 29 August 1930.

Note *: In Feb 1941 involved in collision with steam tender SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (478grt/1908) sustaining damage to starboard cable trough and plating. This was repaired at refit in Falmouth in Sept 1941 but bulwarks were buckled on the starboard side and this damage was not made good.

(Missing: Ty/Boom Skipper Albert James Beckett RNR. Drowned: Ch Stoker John H. Downing and PO Stoker William S. Dalton – both buried in Plymouth)

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Ceresia FD26
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.T. Chorley FD26
Picture courtesy of The John Clarkson Collection

S.T. Chorley FD26
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Changelog
21/01/2009: Page published. 9 updates since then.
21/09/2015: Information updated.
08/09/2016: Information updated.
09/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
30/11/2017: Information updated.
11/11/2019: Information updated.

The Bosun's Watch

Fleetwood Steam and Sailing Trawlers

Tag Archives: Wyre

S.T. Wigan FD241

S.T. Foss FD243

S.T. Dragoon FD60

S.T. Imperialist FD83

S.T. Chorley FD26