Technical

Official Number: 301876
Yard Number: 1439
Completed: 1959
Gross Tonnage: 353
Net Tonnage: 125
Length: 132.9 ft
Breadth: 27.1 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 736bhp 7-cyl Mirlees
Speed: 12 knots

History

1959: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood, as CORENA
20.06.1959 Registered at Fleetwood (FD173).
24.07.1970: Sold to Ranger Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (FD173).
04.10.1971: Sold to Forward Motor Trawlers, Aberdeen (FD173).
30.01.1973: Fishing registry closed. (Converted into an Oil Rig Stand-by Safety Vessel).
22.03.1978: Sold to Colne Shipping of Lowestoft.
06.1978: Renamed TRINIDAD.
31.01.1987: Sold to shipbreakers Liguria Maritime Ltd, Sittingbourne, Kent and broken up at Milton Creek.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Corena FD173
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

M.T. Corena FD173
Picture © Peter Brady

M.T. Corena FD173
Picture © Peter Brady

M.T. Corena FD173
Picture © Peter Brady

S.S.V. Trinidad
Picture courtesy of Trevor Snowling

S.S.V. Trinidad
Picture courtesy of Frank Pook

Changelog
02/09/2016: Page re-published.

Technical

Official number : 301880
Gross tonnage: 187
Length: 109 ft

History

Built in America (Maine).
1959 to Fleetwood registration.
Transferred to Lowestoft (Putford Enterprises Ltd).
1976 Scrapped at Oulton Broad.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Jean Marthe FD233
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

M.T. Jean Marthe FD233
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. Jean Marthe FD233

Changelog
02/09/2016: Page re-published.

Technical

Official Number: 185305
Yard Number: 1405
Completed: 1959
Gross Tonnage: 334
Net Tonnage: 113
Length: 132′ 5″
Breadth: 26′ 7″
Depth: 11′ 7″
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 700bhp 5-cyl British Polar
Speed: 11.25 knots

History

1955: Completed by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as DORINDA.
08.11.1955: Registered at Fleetwood (FD22).
10.04.1973: Fishing registry closed “no longer fishing”.
12.11.1973: Sold to M R & T J Clarkson.
21.07.1974: M R & T J Clarkson (43 shares) & T J McLaughlin (21 shares) joint owners.(converted to an Oil Rig Stand-by Safety Vessel).
1978: Sold to World Wide Surveys Ltd Panama.
1997: Noted by Lloyds Register of Shipping. “Vessel’s continued existence in doubt”.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Dorinda FD22
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Dorinda FD22
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

M.T. Dorinda FD22
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
02/09/2016: Page re-published.

Technical

Official Number: 183981
Yard Number: 403
Completed: 1951
Gross Tonnage: 168
Net Tonnage: 55
Length: 103.0 ft
Breadth: 22.1 ft
Depth: 10.5 ft
Oil Engine: 2 stroke 6-cyl 540bhp Type K461by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow

History

11.1951: Completed by Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft (Yd.No. 403) for Rhondda Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby (Sir John D. Marsden, Bart, manager) as VANESSA ANN. Registered at Lowestoft (LT254).
1.5.1955: Out of Grimsby on a North Sea trip started to take in water. Fault traced to bilge pump line, repaired and resumed fishing.
1957: Sold to Dalby Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood (Bowden Ramster, manager). Lowestoft registry closed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD133). Later to F. E. Catchpole, Lowestoft and on to offshore platform standby/rescue.
1973: Laid up at Lowestoft with main and big end bearings run due to gasket failure of oil pump.
1973: Re-engined with 2-cyl 250bhp Hundested oil engine, CP propeller
1973: Sold to Alan Warren Smallwood, Fulham for conversion to a floating workshop (for South Pacific service). Later laid up River Thames.
1984: Sold (due to ill health) to Reg Marsh & Jack Scott for conversion to an auxiliary topsail schooner.
1984-85: Re built at Padstow. Sail area 538 sq.metres.
6.1985: Sailed Padstow for Antigua with the intention of running day charters. Not a success due to local opposition.
1986: Sold to Charles W. Clowes & David Cox, based Barbados. Again not successful.
1990: Decided to return to UK. Prepared for voyage in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Sailed for Plymouth.
3.7.1990: Arrived Plymouth. Surveyed and in poor condition.
1991: Sold to Joseph Maria Kelly for private use. On the death of his mother the vessel’s name was changed to SANTA BARBARA ANNA, in commemoration. Engaged in charter work.
1995: Arrived Rostock. Ceded by the Kelly Family for use of teenagers and adolescents funded by City of Rostock.
2000: Funding withdrawn due to financial constraints support of charities and volunteers obtained.
2006: During maintenance a 4000kg oak keel fitted to improve sailing capability.
7.2006: Sail area increased to 667 sq.metres.

More images in the Vanessa Ann gallery.

Note from Andreas Grylla:
For the first three years our crew worked with socially vulnerable youth.
Every year we visit the “Kieler Woche”, the world greatest sailing event. The “HanseSail” in Rostock and many other events in the Baltic Sea area aren´t complete without us. The sailors in the Baltic Sea know and appreciate our sailing vessel.

Note from John Brackenbury
Vanessa Ann,
Built in 1951.

The Vanessa Ann first sailed from Lowestoft and Grimsby, she did not / never sailed to Iceland, she was not involved in the the cod war, but she did fish in the North sea,

At some stage she had an explosion in her engine room, this happened as she was sailing from Grimsby two engineers where killed, after that she was bought by the Dalby Steam Fishing Company and brought to Fleetwood, she was a near water boat and fished the Irish sea and up and down the West Coast of Scotland.

Among previous skippers were George Wood, Chopper Harrison, myself and a few others.
she was a great sea ship.
I was in command in the storm of 1969 winds gusting to 140 mph, we rode it out for sixteen hours just SW of Barra Head and a German cargo ship the Lusadanur shifted its cargo and Barra lifeboat went to its rescue and capsized,they both made it back to castle bay.

I hope this help to complete her early life,

Yours Sincerely
John Brackenbury

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Vanessa Ann LT254

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133
Picture courtesy of Lorna Jones

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133
Picture courtesy of Lorna Jones

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133
Picture courtesy of Lorna Jones

S.V. Santa Barbara Anna
Picture courtesy of Mitchy

Changelog
03/09/2016: Page re-published.

Technical

Gross Tonnage: 35

History

The motor fishing vessel PYGMALION was trawling to the east of the Point of Ayre on the 26th of may 1964. Her skipper was Richard Billington Sumner Around 8:30 am the Calor gas stove exploded as the three man crew was having breakfast, knocking one man unconscious and injuring two others as fire quickly engulfed the vessel.
The crew launched the self-inflating liferaft but it didn’t inflate properly.The badly injured crewman was lowered into it by the other two as the Pygmalion sank, some 9 miles east of the Point of Ayre. It was a sunny day and distress rockets would have been of no use so a decision was made to wait until darkness before using them. To make matters worse a coal strike had reduced traffic to and from Whitehaven so no other vessel passed them.

They drifted for fourteen hours all the time within sight of the Isle of Man, but with no sign of rescue. The injured man, John Cowell, was in considerable pain and only an emergency injection of morphine eased his pain,
By 22:30 it had grown dark enough to use the flares and these were fired. The Whitehaven trawler LORRAINE
was outbound for the fishing grounds and she spotted the distress rockets and changed course towards the liferaft. Meanwhile the Ramsey lifeboat, ANNIE ROWLAND ISABELLA FORREST, was launched.
LORRAINE, under the command of Peter Haroldson, reached the liferaft, took the three crewmen aboard and set his course for Ramsey where an ambulance was waiting.

The crew of PYGMALION were:
Richard Billington Sumner, skipper
Les Patterson, deckhand
John Cowell, deckhand
All were from Fleetwood

Click to enlarge image

mfv Pygmalion BM27
Picture courtesy of Keith South

Changelog
03/09/2016: Page re-published.

Technical

Official Number: A10591
Yard Number: B487
Completed: 1958
Gross Tonnage: 50
Net Tonnage: 50
Length: 22.19 m
Breadth: 5.97 m
Depth: 2.53 m
Engine: Gardner 8L3, 152BHP
Built: Fairmile Construction Co. Ltd, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Owners: Starbank Fishing Ltd, Newhaven

History

1958: Completed by Fairmile Construction Co. Ltd, Berwick-upon-Tweed (Yd. No. B487) for Starbank Fishing Ltd, Newhaven. Registered at Leith (LH249)
1963: Fishing out of Fleetwood.
1978: Owners Robert B. Smith & Others, Fraserburgh and re-registered as Starbank FR251
1987: Westtra BCK105, Owner Unknown.
1992: Westtra SO886, Owner Unknown.
19??: Laid up.

Known Alterations
Whaleback added, New 200bhp Gardner Engine, New wheelhouse and a gutting shelter that was later extended to a three quarter length shelter deck.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Starbank LH249
Picture courtesy of Frank Pook

M.T. Starbank LH249

M.T. Starbank FR251
Picture courtesy of Alistair Ritchie

Changelog
07/09/2016: Page re-published after site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 186345
Yard Number: 254
Completed: 1956
Gross Tonnage: 407
Length: 138 ft
Breadth: 26.9 ft
Depth: 13.25 ft

History

1956: Completed by John Lewis & Sons, Aberdeen as RED ROSE for the Iago Steam Trawling Co, Fleetwood. Registered at London (LO36).
1963: Bought by the Boston Group.
1972: Renamed BOSTON INVADER and registered at Fleetwood (FD161).
04 1973: Transferred to Lowestoft.
01.05.1973: First landing at Lowestoft.
February 1975: Sold to Safetyships Ltd and renamed INVERLOCHY for use as an oil rig standby vessel.
1979: Owned by George Craig & Sons Ltd (North Star Fishing Co Ltd, managers). Renamed GRAMPIAN LOCH and put on oil rig support work.
1986: Sold by North Star to T. Pardoe, Exmouth & others laid up at Torpoint and advertised for re-sale.
1991: Sold by A. Pardoe, Exmouth & S. Pepper, Rochdale to Western Ocean Towage Co Ltd, Plymouth (Capt S. Oates & others). Unofficially renamed MR CORNISHMAN.
09.1991: Renamed CORNISHMAN by St. Vincent & Grenadines flag associates of Western Ocean Towage Co Ltd, Plymouth (Capt S. Oates & others).
At the end of 1992 Silas Oates sold her to Spanish principals and the rumour was that she would go back fishing.
18.12.1992: On her delivery voyage to Vigo/Corunna she ran aground East of Faro Olhao Bar Portugal and was subsequently abandoned.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Red Rose LO36
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

M.T. Red Rose LO36
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

S.S.V. Inverlochy FD161

Changelog
08/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 186293
Yard Number: 252
Completed: 1955
Gross Tonnage: 407
Length: 138 ft
Breadth: 26.99 ft
Depth: 13.25 ft
Engine: Number 322, British Polar Engines.

History

1955: Completed by J Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No. 252) for the Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd Fleetwood. Registered at London (LO34).
14.12.1959: Off the Butt of Lewis and in squally weather, shipped a heavy sea and deckhand Frank Pratt was washed overboard and lost. The ship was brought about and a search carried out to no avail.
1963: Sold to Acadia Fisheries Ltd, Canso, St. John’s as ACADIA CREST following the takeover of Iago by the Boston Group.
1973: in ownership of the Canadian Government as ACADIA CREST.
1973: In ownership of Canso Seafoods Ltd
1975: Sold to Pez Exports SA, Argentina as ACADIA CREST.
1986: Deleted from registry.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Red Crest LO34
Picture © Peter Brady

M.T. Red Crest LO34
Clipping courtesy of Geoff Davidson

Changelog
09/09/2016: Page re-published after site problems.

Technical

Official number : 186262
Yard Number: 251
Completed: 1955
Gross tonnage: 407
Length: 135.25 ft
Breadth: 26.1′ ft
Depth: 13.25′ ft
Engine: British Polar Engines number 321 by – 25A 5cyl 340x570mm

History

July 04 1955: Trials in Aberdeen Bay .
July 08 1955: Completed by John Lewis and Sons, Aberdeen (Yd. No. 251) for Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd. Fleetwood (Manager EDN Lawford London).
1963: Sold to Acadia Fisheries Ltd (B. A. Parkes), St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada following the sale of the Iago fleet to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries.
1973: Renamed ACADIA GULL.
1973: Vessel comes under the Government of Canada (Minster of Development for the Province of Nova Scotia).
Undated: in ownership of Canso Seafoods Ltd, Canso, Halifax.
1980: Registered in Canada as ACADIA GULL.
1980: Sold to British Virgin Islands (Barefoot Rogue Ltd), and renamed BAREFOOT ROGUE.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Red Gauntlet LO35
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. Red Gauntlet LO35
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Acadia Gull

Barefoot Rogue
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

Changelog
09/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 186324
Yard Number: 253
Completed: 1955
Gross Tonnage: 407
Length: 138′ 6″
Breadth: 26′ 11″
Depth: 13′ 3″
Engine number 323, British Polar Engines

History

1955: Completed. To Fleetwood as a new vessel.
1963: Iago STC taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd.
Undated: Sold to Acadia Fisheries Ltd. Newfoundland.
1963: Renamed: ACADIA CORMORANT.
1974: Owned by Canso Seafoods Ltd, Canada and renamed CANSO BREEZE.

Click to enlarge image

M.T. Red Hackle LO37
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
09/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 187642
Yard Number: 268
Completed: 1957
Gross Tonnage: 391
Length: 115 ft
Breadth: 26 ft
Depth: 13 ft
Engine: Number 339, British Polar M45M

History

1957: Completed by John Lewis & Sons, Aberdeen (Yd. No. 268) for Iago Steam Trawling Co. Fleetwood, as CAPTAIN RIOU. Registered at London (LO 72)
1959: Skipper Reginald Clarke committed suicide by drinking the contents of a fire extinguisher, around the 25th June off the Outer Hebrides, due to becoming depressed at losing £500 worth of fishing gear and having a bad catch.
His body was returned to Fleetwood on his first wedding anniversary.
He was aged 23.
July 1959: Inquest held into the death.
1972: Renamed BOSTON DEFENDER on the takeover of Iago Steam Trawling Co. Fleetwood by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries.
1978: Renamed GRAMPIAN DEFENDER and employed as ORSV
7.8.89: Scrapped San Esteban de Pravia.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Captain Riou LO72
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Captain Riou LO72
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

S.S.V. Grampian Defender

Changelog
09/09/2016: Page re-published after site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 300776
Yard Number: 278
Completed: 1958
Gross Tonnage: 444
Net Tonnage: 136
Length: 36 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 14.3 ft
Oil Engine: 960BHP 6-cyl M46M by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow (Engine No.348)

History

1.7.1958: Launched by John Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.268) for Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, Fleetwood as CAPTAIN HARDY LO 96.
1958: Completed (Cdr. E. D. W. Lawford DSO, manager).
1958: Registered at London (LO 96).
1972: Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes manager).
1972: Renamed BOSTON MARAUDER.
1972: London registry closed.
1972: Registered at Fleetwood (FD 168).
1977: Owned by Liberia Fish Industrial Corporation, Panama.
1977: Renamed LINA VI. Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Panama.
1998: Deleted from Lloyds register. “Vessel’s continued existence in doubt”.
1998: Reported broken up.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Captain Hardy LO96
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

M.T. Captain Hardy LO96
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

M.T. Captain Hardy LO96

M.T. Boston Marauder FD168
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

Changelog
10/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 300828
Yard Number: 281
Completed: 1959
Gross Tonnage: 448
Net Tonnage: 147
Length: 136.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 14.3 ft
Oil Engine: 960BHP 6-cyl M46M by British Polar Engines Ltd Glasgow (Engine No.351)

History

26.11.1958: Launched by John Lewis & Sons Ltd Aberdeen (Yd.No.281) for Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, London & Fleetwood as CAPTAIN FREMANTLE.
02.1959: Completed (Cdr. E. D. W. Lawford DSO, manager).
2.1959: Registered at London (LO 22).
1972: Iago Steam Trawler Co Ltd, taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood (Basil A. Parkes manager).
1972: Renamed BOSTON ATTACKER.
1972: London registry closed.
1972: Registered at Fleetwood (FD 163).
11.09.1972: Experienced engine problems, motor trawler BOSTON EXPLORER (FD 15) connected and delivered Fleetwood.
1977: Owned by Liberia Fish Industrial Corporation, Panama.
1977: Renamed KATHIA. Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Panama.
By 1990: Renamed KATHIA I.
1998: Deleted from Lloyds register. “Vessel’s continued existence in doubt”.
1998: Reported broken up.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Captain Fremantle LO22
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. Boston Attacker FD163
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

Changelog
10/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 302523
Yard Number: 294
Completed: 1960
Gross Tonnage: 434
Length: 140 ft
Breadth: 28 ft
Depth: 13 ft
Engine: 6 cylinder 1230HP British Polar
Speed: 12.8 knots

History

1960: To Fleetwood as a new vessel.
1972: Became BOSTON TRISTAR GY210 after Iago was acquired by Boston.
1975: Arrived at Richards shipyard, Lowestoft.
1976: Sold to Colne Fishing Co Ltd and renamed ST MARK LT327.
1980: Converted for oil rig safety work.
August 06 1990: Sank off Cromer after a collision with the tug VIKINGBANK which was towing a heavily ballasted and unlit barge. The barge was so low that the radar failed to pick it up and a 40 ft hole was ripped in St. MARK’S portside, from aft to midships. She sank in 6 minutes with no loss of life.

Notes

The Cromer lifeboat, RUBY and ARTHUR REED II, was called to ST. MARK shortly before she sank on 6 August 1990. The lifeboat had been launched at 1620 Following a Mayday call from the vessel which had been in collision with a tug towing barges about 6 miles north east of the station.
The ten men aboard taken to her own lifeboats and were picked up by another vessel which had been only four miles away when the collision occurred.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Captain Foley LO33
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Boston Tristar GY210
Picture courtesy of Frank Pook

M.T St Mark LT327
Picture courtesy of Robert Durrant

M.T St Mark LT327
Picture courtesy of Barry Saw

St. Mark
Document courtesy of Barry Saw

St. Mark
Document courtesy of Barry Saw

Changelog
10/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 302960
Yard Number: 332
IMO 5062833
Gross Tonnage: 437
Net Tonnage: 147
Length: 139′ 8″
Breadth: 28′ 4″
Depth: 14′ 6″
Oil Engine: 4 stroke 7-cyl (1281bhp) by Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day Ltd, Stockport

History

23.1.1962: Launched by J. Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.332) for Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd, London & Fleetwood (Cdr E. D.W. Lawford DSO, manager) as Captain Inman.
4.1962: Completed. Registered at London (LO62).
1963: Iago Steam Trawling Co Ltd taken over by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood.
9.1968: Sold to Irvin & Johnson Ltd, Cape Town. London registry closed. Registered at Cape Town (CTA303).
1985: Sold to Pat-King Fishing Co (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town.
1988: Converted for stern fishing. Re-measured 414g 143n
1989: Renamed LINCOLN (CTA303).
2007: Still in Lloyd’s Register.
26.03.2009: Seen in Cape Town, modified with extended shelter deck port side.
2011: Still working from Cape Town.
27.09.2015: Swamped and lost 20 miles south of Hangklip. Nine crew lost, three missing and nine survived.

Note South African 42-meter trawler LINCOLN issued distress signal at 1806 LT Sep 27, in reportedly, False Bay, south of Cape Town. 21 crew reported abandoning sinking vessel after it started to take in water, in heavy weather. According to National Sea Rescue Institute SAR latest update, 9 crew confirmed dead, 9 rescued, 3 still missing. A large-scale search and rescue operation under way.

On Sunday evening a fishing trawler started taking in water near Kleinmond during heavy swells prompting the crew to abandon ship. At least 11 fishermen drowned while nine others survived.
Survivors were reunited with their families at Viking Fishing Company’s headquarters yesterday.
The company’s Rory Williams says they’re shocked and saddened by the deaths of the fishermen.
He says nine crew members who survived are receiving counseling to help them cope with the traumatic experience.
Williams says the company abides by the industry’s strict safety regulations and has not had a fatal incident in over a decade.
From EWM
ROUGH SEAS
Residents from local fishing communities along the False Bay Coast say boats were prevented from going out over the weekend due to the adverse weather conditions.
Longtime Hermanus fisherman Francois Marais says he’s baffled as to why the trawler went out to sea in the first place.
“It was very bad, I can’t think or imagine how the captain had gone on sea in those conditions.”
The fishing company says an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy has been prioritised.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Captain Inman LO62
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Captain Inman LO62
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Captain Inman LO62
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Lincoln CTA303
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
10/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number : 187853
Yard Number: 1414
Completed: 1956
Gross Tonnage: 338
Net Tonnage: 119
Length: 127.5 ft
Breadth: 27.0 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 736bhp 7-cyl Mirlees
Speed: 11.25 knots

History

12.05.1956: Launched at Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby by Muriel Forbes for Wyre Trawlers Ltd as WYRE MAJESTIC.
11.12.1956: Registered at Fleetwood (FD433).
19.02.1958: Sailed Fleetwood for home water fishing grounds (Sk. John Kelly, 15 crew). 18:30hrs, bosun relieved by Norman Southern (Mate). At 21:00hrs stranded on the Mull of Galloway, one mile to the west of the light. Refloated and returned to Fleetwood.
24/05/1958: BOT formal inquiry found that the stranding was due to the fault or default of the mate, Norman Southern and his certificate was suspended for eighteen months.
01.07. 1969: Became part of British United Trawlers fleet.
1974: Converted for pair trawling (for Herring) with the WYRE DEFENCE.
18.10.1974: Homeward bound. Unable to berth at Oban so decided to return to Fleetwood. On passage through the sound of Islay (Sk. Derek Reader) in company with the WYRE DEFENCE. Set off course by strong currents and ran full speed (18 knots) onto rocks at Rhuba a’ Mhaill and was badly holed and filling with water, fuel tanks ruptured.
WYRE DEFENCE attempted to tow WYRE MAJESTIC clear but was unable to do so.
All subsequent salvage attempts failed and on the 01.11.1974 she was declared a CTL in approx position 55º 52.9’N 006º 07.2’W and left on the rocks.
20.12.1974 Fleetwood registry closed.

Note: At the time of the stranding the skipper was below and the bosun at the wheel. The skipper’s certificate was suspended and the bosun admitted to having been drinking.

Download the Inquiry report in .pdf format HERE

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433
Picture courtesy of Colin Forbes

Muriel Forbes Launching
Picture courtesy of Colin Forbes

Muriel Forbes at 96
Picture courtesy of Colin Forbes

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433
Picture courtesy of George Carr

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

M.T. Wyre Majestic FD433

Changelog
11/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Additional information courtesy of Barry Banham and David Slinger
Technical

Official Number: 187863
Yard Number: 509
Completed: 1958
Gross Tonnage: 426
Net Tonnage: 139
Length: 137 ft
Breadth: 28 ft
Depth 14.25 ft
Oil Engine: 1000bhp 8 cyl by Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day Ltd, Stockport

History

26.10.1957: Launched by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole (Yd.No.509) for Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood as SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association).
01.1958: Completed. First Fleetwood trawler fitted with a TV.
01.1958: Registered at Fleetwood (FD155). Basil Arthur Parkes appointed manager.
17.01.1961: Outward for the fishing grounds (Sk. Harry Pook); sixteen hands all told. In the early hours in heavy weather and a gale, stranded on rocks in Friesland Bay, Coll, Inner Hebrides. At 6.36 am. sent distress message which was received by Oban Radio and Fleetwood trawler PRINCESS ANN (FD) and Mallaig lifeboat responded but could not approach the vessel due to position. At 7.30am. distress cancelled as vessel although on rocks was not making water. Twelve crew pulled to safety by Coll lifesaving team and transferred to the lifeboat; skipper, mate, Ch Eng and radio operator remained onboard, but as the tide ebbed the vessel took a list to port and it was obvious that she was not going to come off. The four men were recovered by the lifesaving team and also transferred to the lifeboat which returned to Mallaig.
18.01.1961: Weather deteriorated and vessels pounded on rocks sustaining damage to shell plating, starboard side, lifeboat washed away, wheelhouse damaged and whole vessel flooded during more severe weather that followed.
07.04.1961: After ten weeks of work, weather permitting, vessel made watertight, pumped dry and with steam salvage ship PLANTAGENET (454grt/1939), Mr J. D. Outhwaite, Fleetwood Steam Trawlers’ Mutual Insurance Association Ltd and the surveyor, Mr G. Willey in attendance, attempted to refloat. Tide failed to make sufficiently and attempt abandoned.
18.04.1961: Successfully refloated by Metal Industries Ltd, steam tug METINDA III (593grt/1945) and beached at Tobermory to make ready for tow to the Clyde for docking and survey.
09.1961: At Glasgow completed Special Survey by Lloyd’s Register and classed 100A1 Stm Trawler following repair and restoration on the Clyde.
10.1961: Arrived Fleetwood.
1965: Sold to Parbel-Smith Ltd, Aberdeen. Basil A. Parkes appointed manager. Continued to fish out of Fleetwood.
01.1968: Homeward from Iceland grounds (Sk. Charlie Pook); mate Stanley Treece-Birch on watch with two hands. Hit by a very heavy sea which smashed the bridge windows, swept over the casing taking away fittings and lifeboat and causing the generator to trip out. Wheelhouse personnel knocked over and skipper trapped in his cabin by furniture which had been dislodged. Lighting restored but compass, radio equipment and other electronics damage by water. On emergency transmitter contacted trawler ARMANA (FD) (Sk. Harold Daniels) which had also left the grounds for home and was about five miles astern. ARMANA responded, guiding SSAFA back to Iceland and after twelve hours arrived Reykjavik for temporary repair.
09.03.1968: Having left Wyre Dock for the fishing grounds took the ground outside the lock.
1969: Transferred to Canada in a survey role.
1970: Returned to Fleetwood. Sold to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Hull. Basil Arthur Parkes appointed manager.
1971: Sold to Heward Trawlers Ltd, London & Fleetwood. Robert P. G. Hewett appointed manager.
12.11.1972: Arrived Fleetwood (Sk. John Dunne), with extensive damage to the wheelhouse caused by heavy seas.
01.1973: On Iceland grounds, cable to trawl winch burnt out. HMS LOWESTOFT (P.No.F103) on Fishery Protection Patrol supplied cable and a team to repair which was completed in eight hours.
07.1975: Sold to Huxley Fishing Co Ltd, Lowestoft.
31.07.1975: Arrived Lowestoft. Fleetwood registry closed.
15.08.1975: Registered at Lowestoft (LT73). J. Leggett appointed manager.
04.11.1977: Registered anew following conversion to offshore platform standby safety vessel. Fishing registration closed.
07.1987: Sold to Liguria Maritime Ltd, Sittingbourne, Kent.
08.07.1987: Registered at Lowestoft as a 2nd Class fishing vessel (LT154).
12.07.1987: Sailed Lowestoft for Queenborough.
27.08.1987: Fishing registration closed. Broken up at Milton Creek, Sittingbourne.
06.11.1987: Lowestoft registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Robert Durrant

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Jane McRae

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. SSAFA FD155
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

Changelog
11/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

PDF files courtesy of David Parkinson
Technical

Official Number: 185119
Yard number : 852
Completed: 1951
Gross tonnage : 296
Length : 128.2 ft
Beam : 26.6 ft
Depth : 12.2 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 700bhp Mirlees, Bickerton & Day
Speed : 11 knots

History

August 21 1951: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.852) for City Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as HILDINA.
April 29 1952: Registered at Hull (H222).
1953: Transferred to Fleetwood.
25.11.1953: Sailed Fleetwood for north-West of Scotland fishing grounde (Sk. George Goodwin Clarkson).
26/27.11.1953: Fishing halted for five hours due to problems with the winch power generating machinery.
29.11.1953: Trawl fast on sea bed. Cleared but came fast a second time. Cleared again but wind and sea state caused fishing to stop. Dodging.
30.11.1953: Conditions improved and trawl shot away with 350 fathoms of warp paid out. Between 07:55 and 08:00 the gear came fast again. Bosun Ernest Summers arrived at the winch within a minute. Deckhand knocked out and the bosun hove the forrard drum three or four turns and then both warps were hove in 25 fathoms.
The vessel had fallen off into the weather and shipped a heavy sea on the starboard side and began to list heavily to 40 degrees. On the order of the skipper the clutches were unshipped as the winch wouldn’t run back. The mate (John Moran) went to cut away the gear but couldn’t find an axe to do it with. Deckhand George Albert Hayes tried to shut the starboard accommodation door but was unable to do so.
01.12.1953: Vessel filled through deck openings and sank by the stern 50 miles north by west of Sule Skerry. The BOT inquiry into the loss received evidence from the survivors and was satisfied that the skipper and crew were competent, reliable and trustworthy.

Note: The remainder of the crew decided to try and launch the lifeboat but unfortunately it was damaged and floated away bottom up. The remaining crew went to the top of the bridge where the Nott buoyant apparatus was located. They managed to launch the Nott and eleven men managed to board. Unfortunately a big sea overturned the Nott and two men were carried away by the sea.

The Fleetwood vessel VELIA FD116 picked up the HILDINA’s SOS message at 8:12 a.m. The skipper of the VELIA Charlie Pennington hauled his gear and headed to the location of the stricken vessel arriving at about 9:00 a.m. On arriving at the location VELIA managed to pick up 10 men.

Two other trawlers where on hand to help ‘MONIMIA’ and ‘MARGARET’ who continued the search for any more survivors.

VELIA headed to Stornoway to land the survivors. Unfortunately one crew member died on the way in.

Crew Lost
James Benson – Missing
Jim Bond – Missing
George Clarkson – Missing
Fenwick Dell – Missing
Robert M Robertson – Missing
T D W Webb – Died after being picked up

Crew Rescued
George Hayes
Ernest Summers/Sumner
John Moran
F. Heidstra, chief engineer, of Goole
Joseph Henry Tranmer, 2nd engineer of Hull
S. Acton, greaser of Fleetwood
D. Atkinson
J. Gardner
W. Wilson
All deckhands of Fleetwood.

Click these links to download the inquiry documents relating to the loss of Hildina
Document 1
Document 2
Document 3
Document 4
Document 5
Document 6
Document 7

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Hildina H222
Picture courtesy of Greenday (TPF)

M.T. Hildina H222

M.T. Hildina H222
Picture courtesy of Fred Baker

Changelog
11/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 185300
Yard Number: 903
Completed: 1955
Launched: 1203/1955
Registered: 16/06/1955
Gross Tonnage: 421
Length: 137.6 ft
Breadth: 28.4 ft
Depth: 13.75 ft
Engine: 960bhp British Polar
Speed: 11.5 knots

History

1955: Completed by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley as St. BARTHOLOMEW (Yd. No. 903) for St Andrews Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Fleetwood, as St. Bartholomew. Registered at Fleetwood (FD27).
25.10.1955: Christopher Porter (Mate) lost overboard and drowned.
01.01.1964: sold to Iago Steam Fishing Co, Fleetwood
1965: sold to Partrederiet Utheim, Kristiansund, Norway and renamed BJOGNA
05.05.1965: left Fleetwood for Norway.
1966: Renamed BJOGNA.
1972: Owners name changed to Sigmund Utheim Partrederie
1977: sold to Per OG Reidar Smadal, Alesund
1980: sold to Kare Misje & Co, Alesund and renamed NAUTIK
1983: Name changed to NAUTIKA
1985: sold to Tamis Ltd, Aberdeen as stand by safety vessel
1990: sold to Cam Offshore Ltd Aberdeen and renamed CAM VANGUARD
1993: sold to John Crowson, Aberdeen and renamed JON PAUL
1998: renamed CAM VANGUARD
1999: Still in service
2013: Now laid up at the Cap Verde Islands.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. St. Bartholomew FD27
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. St. Bartholomew FD27
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. St. Bartholomew FD27
Picture © Peter Brady

M.T. St. Bartholomew FD27
Picture courtesy of the late James Cullen

M.T. St. Bartholomew FD27
Picture courtesy of Dean Ledge Harrison

Changelog
12/09/2016: Page re-published after site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 180339
Yard Number: S629
Gross tonnage: 289
Completed: 1950
Length: 130ft
Built: 1949, Hessle
Yard Number: S629
Gross Tonnage: 289grt / 98nt
Length: 143′ 7″ ft
Breadth: 25′ 1″ ft
Depth: 11′ 6″ ft
Engine: 4 stroke 7-cyl oil engine by Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day Ltd, Stockport
Owner: Boston Deep Sea Fisheries

History

Used as a liner because Robertson was unable to supply a trawl winch.
3.1950: Completed by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle (Yd.No.S629) for Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, Fleetwood as BONNYBRIDGE. Registered at Fleetwood (FD33).

1951: Sold to Bonavista Cold Storage Co Ltd, St. John’s, NFL. Fleetwood registry closed. Renamed BLUE WAVE registered at St. John’s, NFL.

Feb 1959: Lost of Cape St Mary due to being iced up in bad weather.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Bonnybridge FD33
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

M.T. Bonnybridge FD33
Picture courtesy of John Stevenson

M.T. Bonnybridge FD33
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

M.T. Bonnybridge FD33
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

Changelog
12/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.