Technical

Official Number: 303221
Yard Number: 926
Completed: 1965
Gross Tonnage: 425
Length: 139.7 ft
Breadth: 29.4 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Fishroom: Approx 11,500 cubic feet.
Engine: 1150bhp, Mirrlees

History

1965: Built for Aberdeen Motor Trawlers Ltd (Boston Deep Sea Fisheries subsidiary).
10.3.1966: Arrived Fleetwood as ABERDEEN EXPLORER A765.
1967: Sold to Saint Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co. Ltd, Manager B. A. Parkes.
3.12.1968: Renamed BOSTON EXPLORER.
1968: To Fleetwood registration FD15.
14.3.1973: Had both her trawl warps cut by the Icelandic coastguard vessel THOR.
11.7.1973: Had one of her trawl warps cut by the Icelandic coastguard vessel AEGIR.
02.1974: Sk. Bill Rawcliffe reported to owners that a stowaway, identified as Fleetwood schoolboy Arthur Dewhirst, had been discovered. Owners ordered him transferred to BOSTON LIGHTNING which was homeward bound.
10.1978: Laid up and in the same month sold to George Craig & Sons. Aberdeen.
1979: To oil-rig Safety Vessel renamed GRAMPIAN EXPLORER, Owner George Craig & Sons Limited.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Aberdeen Explorer
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Aberdeen Explorer
Picture courtesy of The Osta Collection

M.T. Aberdeen Explorer FD15
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Aberdeen Explorer FD15
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

Changelog

20/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 341753
Completed: 1972
Gross tonnage: 517
Length: 141 ft
Launched: 04.10.1971
Engine: 1950bhp 12-cyl vee oil engine by Ruston Paxman Diesels Ltd, Newton-le-Willows

History

04/10.1971: Launched for Boston Deep Sea Fisheries as BOSTON BLENHEIM.
01.1972: Completed. To Fleetwood as a new vessel. Registered at Fleetwood (FD137).
Fished both home waters and Iceland and later worked the pelagic fisheries off the SW and NW coasts
1979: Sold with BOSTON BEVERLEY to Ben Mar Fishing Co, Chile
Later acquired by the Chilean Navy
2008: Registered at Valparaiso. Owners Pesca Chile SA, Santiago.
2013: Abandoned in Chincui Bay, Puerto Montt.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Boston Blenheim FD137
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

M.T. Boston Blenheim FD137
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. Boston Blenheim FD137
Picture © Peter Brady

M.T. Boston Blenheim FD137
Picture courtesy of Frank Pook

Changelog
20/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 187866
Yard Number: SYC266
Completed: 1958
Gross Tonnage: 249
Net Tonnage: 81
Length: 116.25 ft
Breadth: 25.3 ft
Depth: 11.25 ft

History

1958: Completed by Brooke Marine, Lowestoft (Yd. No. SYC266) for the Cevic Steam Fishing Co.Ltd, Fleetwood as CEVIC. Registered at Fleetwood (FD241).
1970: Cevic Steam Fishing Co. Ltd taken over by J Marr & Son. Converted to a standby safety vessel.
1978: Sold to George Craig, Aberdeen and renamed GRAMPIAN RANGER.
08.1986 sold to D Deck for scrapping at Plymouth but sold on to Spanish owners and restored for fishing. Renamed VIKINGO (Panama).
14.02.1991 Sank in the Bay Of Biscay after springing a leak in the North Atlantic.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Cevic FD241
Picture courtesy of Les Howard

M.T. Cevic FD241

M.T. Cevic FD241
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 187854
Yard Number: S 737
Completed: 1956
Gross Tonnage: 314.1
Net Tonnage: 104.11
Length: 127.0 ft
Breadth: 27.1 ft
Depth: 13.0 ft
Built: Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle, East Yorkshire
Engine: 750bhp British Polar

History

1956: Completed by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle, East Yorkshire for Brixham Trawlers Ltd. Registered at Fleetwood (FD114).
18.09.63: On a voyage from Fleetwood (Sk. Peter William Cowell Chard).
19.09.63: Vessel off Butt of Lewis, Bosun reported sick. Entered Stornoway for medical treatment. Sailed Stornoway at 21:50 with skipper and second hand on the bridge. Conned by the skipper at dead slow until Goat Island was passed. At 23:15 stranded to the north of Holm Point.
20.09.63: On a rising tide, using the engines, vessel refloated and proceeded into Stornoway for inspection, after which she continued to fishing.
10.63: Returned to Fleetwood where bottom damage was repaired at a cost of £1472 10s 8d.
15.04.64: BOT formal inquiry adjudged that the stranding was caused by “….the wrongful act or default of her skipper, Peter William Cowell Chard” and his certificate was suspended for two years.
1964: Brixham Trawlers Ltd bought out by Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd.
1972: Renamed BOSTON NIMROD and transferred to Lowestoft registration (LT49).
1975: Transferred to Salveson Offshore Services Ltd. Renamed GLENFINNAN.
1978: Renamed GRAMPIAN STAR.
1993: Scrapped.

Download a PDF copy of the STRANDING report.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Hawfinch FD114
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Hawfinch FD114
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Hawfinch FD114
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 185288
Yard Number: 856
Completed: 1953
Gross Tonnage: 296 increased to 317
Net Tonnage: 117
Length: 123 ft increased to 135 ft
Breadth: 26.6 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: 772bhp by Mirlees, Bickerton & Day
Speed 11 knots

History

1952: Launched by Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley (Yd. No. 856) for J Marr & Son, Fleetwood, at a cost of £86,032.
1953: Completed, registered at Fleetwood (FD136).
1959: Lengthened by Humber St Andrews Engineering Co Ltd, Hull.
20.07.1967: Sold to P & J Johnstone, Aberdeen for £42,000.
1969: To Ranger Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen (A793).
1974: Sold to Putford Enterprises Ltd, Lowestoft as standby vessel FALKIRK
1978: To Christian Salveson Ltd, Leith
08.1978: Sold to George Craig & Sons and renamed GRAMPIAN FALCON.
20.05.1986: Converted to auxiliary sailing vessel and renamed MIAMI CLIPPER.
1993: Reported scrapped.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Idena FD136
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Idena FD136
Picture courtesy of Robert Durrant

M.T. Idena A793
Picture courtesy of Phillip Dell

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 365779
Yard Number: 586
Completed: 1976
Launched: 6.11.1975
Registered: 1976
Gross Tonnage: 387
Net Tonnage: 145
Length: 129 ft
Breadth: 31.9 ft
Depth: 12. 6 ft
Engine: Blackstone 1700 hp / 1268 kw

History

1976: Completed by Goole Shipbuilding & Repair Co Ltd, Goole (Yd. No. 586) for J Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as IDENA. Registered at Fleetwood (FD325
1977: 6th highest grossing vessel with a total of £355,677 after 19 trips.)
09.1978: IDENA, NORINA and ARMANA, took part in N.A.T.O.’s biggest exercise of the year called Operation Northern Wedding. The naval minesweeper “H.M.S. CROFTON” came into Fleetwood to put minesweeping equipment on board the trawlers, the exercise lasted two weeks.
3.7.1980: Set a new pair trawling grossing record with the “NORINA” (FD324). The two vessels landed a combined total catch of 3,419 10 stone kits for a grossing of £89,262.
07.1982: Transferred to Hull.
1999: Sold to Crystal Fishing Co. Ltd, (Anglo Spanish owners) Milford Haven, and converted for gill net fishing, J. & C. Souto, Milford Haven, agents, later re-named “SKUA” (FD325).
2004: Owned by the Pembroke Fishing Co. Ltd, Milford Haven.
2008: Still working.
Until 10.2012: named “FLOMER I” registered in Panama, fishing out of La Coruna, Spain.
Undated: Renamed “ESPEMAR DOS”, owners ??
23.4.2013: Fishing off the west coast Scotland, near Butt of Lewis.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Idena FD325

M.T. Idena FD325
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

M.T. Idena FD325
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Additional information courtesy of David Slinger

Technical

Official Number: 185291
Yard Number: 855
Launched: 19/09/1951
Registered: 06/01/1953
Completed: 1953
Gross Tonnage: 296
Net Tonnage: 102
Length: 128.2 ft
Breadth: 26.6 ft
Depth: 12.2 ft
Oil Engine: 700bhp 7-cyl by Mirlees Bickerton & Day
Speed 11 knots

History

19.09.1951: Launched by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.855) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as IRVANA.
16.01.1953: Completed at a cost of £81,609.
01.1953: Registered at Fleetwood (FD152). Geoffrey Edwards Marr, Brough appointed manager (Mark Stanley Hamer, Fleetwood manager).
1959: Taken in hand by Humber St. Andrew’s Engineering Co Ltd, Hull for lengthening.
14.01.1960: Vessel registered anew in consequence of material alterations (FD152).
22.04.1961: At Fleetwood, having left lock for fishing grounds (Sk. E. Harris) grounded on Tiger’s Tail. In backing off in collision with trawler FLEETWOOD LADY (FD1) (Sk. Ken Beavers) which was following astern. No damage sustained and proceeded to sea.
23.03.1964: At 0930 sailed Fleetwood for west of Iceland grounds (Sk. Charles Louis Scott); seventeen hands all told. There was a southerly breeze with rain and drizzle though visibility was adequate. At some time Sk. Scott decided to make for Cushendun Bay, Co. Antrim, ostensibly to enable the crew to rig the gear as he believed the weather forecast would not enable them to do this safely on passage to Iceland. The skipper had been into Cushendun Bay on four previous occasions but never in darkness. This part of the Antrim coast is remarkably devoid of aids to navigation and the skipper attempted to find a safe anchorage using only radar and some shore lights; no attempt was made to use the two echo-sounders or hand lines. In consequence when ordering the anchor to be dropped Sk. Scott had no idea of how much water there was under the vessel nor did he take into account the direction and force of the tide. The skipper then retired to his cabin without ascertaining whether or not the anchor was holding. At 2150 the vessel struck rocks with her after end on the port side, engine was worked but propeller stripped and engine stopped. The vessel was held fast at the northern end of Cushendun Bay in position 55.8,12N 06.01,54W. Although the vessel was not making water, the order to abandon was given and all the crew safely reached the shore in the inflatable life-rafts.
25.04.1964: Refloated and towed to Port Glasgow for slipping and survey.
05.1964: Following survey declared beyond economical repair and sold to Shipbreaking Industries Ltd, Glasgow for breaking up at Faslane.
10.06.1964: Arrived Faslane from Port Glasgow in tow.
06.1964: Fleetwood registry closed.
18.11.1964: At the Formal Investigation (No.S.470) held at Fleetwood, the Court found that the stranding and consequent damage to IRVANA were caused by the wrongful act or default of Charles Louis Scott, her Skipper, in attempting to bring her to anchor in Cushendun Bay in darkness without taking the necessary steps to ascertain his position or the strength of the natural forces affecting the navigation of the vessel and suspended his Full Certificate of Competency for a period of 24 calendar months from 23rd day of March, 1964. Sk. Scott was ordered to pay £250 towards the cost of the Inquiry.

Download a PDF report into the STRANDING

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Irvana FD152
Picture courtesy of Les Howard

M.T. Irvana FD152

M.T. Irvana FD152
Picture courtesy of Phillip Dell

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 341755
Yard Number: 543
IMO: 7122481
Completed: 1973
Gross: Tonnage 533
Net Tonnage: 178
Length: 137.8 ft
Breadth: 32.8 ft
Depth: 12.8 ft
Built: Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd
Engine: Oil engine (Type 12RKX) 4 stroke 12-cyl Vee 1901bhp/1398kW by Ruston Paxman Diesels Ltd, Newton-le-Willows – CP prop

History

19.10.1971: Launched by Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Grangemouth (Yd.No.543) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as IRVANA.
3.1972: Completed. Registered at Fleetwood (FD141).
1982: Transferred to Hull.
1.1985: Sold in an en bloc deal along with GAVINA (FD126) and LUNEDA (FD134) to CAM Shipping Co Ltd, Hull (Claridge/Associated/Marr). Fleetwood fishing registry closed. Converted to offshore platform standby safety role – remeasured. Renamed CAM RETRIEVER.
1985: Re-measured 594gt, 178nt, 324dw.
1990: Owners restyled CAM Standby Ltd.
1995: CAM fleet sold to Viking Standby Ltd, Montrose, owner became Viking Standby 3 Ltd. Renamed VIKING RETRIEVER.
11.2005: Sold for demolition in Denmark.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Irvana FD141
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

M.T. Irvana FD141
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Irvana FD141

M.T. Irvana FD141

Changelog
21/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

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
Owner: J Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood

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

Changelog
23/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

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

M.T. Jean Marthe FD233
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog
23/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

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
23/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

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.

Note from Sk. John Brackenbury

The Vanessa Ann first sailed from Lowestoft and Grimsby, she never sailed to Iceland and
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 FD133
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133
Picture courtesy of Stephen Marshall

M.T. Vanessa Ann FD133

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

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

sv Santa Barbara Anna

Changelog
23/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

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 images

mfv Pygmalion BM27
Picture courtesy of Keith South

Changelog
24/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 167497
Gross tonnage: 27
Callsign: OYIW
Net Tonnage: 9
Length: 30 ft
Engine: 88hp diesel
Construction: Oak/beech/fir
Built: Frederiksund 1934

History

Wooden built fishing vessel built at Frederiksund in Denmark
24.09.1948: Arrived at Fleetwood carrying the body of Hans George Petersen, the Danish mate and part owner of the vessel who had been dragged over the side by the trawl and drowned. Sk. Peter Kristensen stopped engine and hauled immediately and found the mate tangled in the warp. He immediately attempted artificial respiration but to no avail.
1970s: in ownership of Edmund P. Kristensen, Fleetwood
05.05.1977: Sank 15 miles east of Ramsey

Click to enlarge images

mfv Niels John FD278
Picture courtesy of Stephen Myerscough

Changelog
24/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 187869
Yard Number: 1438
Completed: 1959
Gross Tonnage: 353
Net Tonnage: 125
Length : 39.9 ft
Breadth: 27.1 ft
Depth: 12.2
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 736bhp 7-cyl 4SA diesel by Mirlees, Bickerton & Day of Stockport
Speed: 12.5 knots

History

1958: Launched by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby as NAVENA for J Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood. First Marr trawler fitted with a variable pitch propeller, and first Fleetwood trawler with a transom stern.
21.05.1959: Registered at Fleetwood (FD172).
28.01.1969: Transferred to P & J Johnson, Aberdeen (FD172).
02.01.1977: Sold to J Marr (Aberdeen) Ltd (FD172).
05.12.1973: Sailed from Aberdeen at 09:30 hours for the fishing grounds of the Faroes under the command of skipper James Clark.
06.12.1973: At 06:12 in the morning a mayday call was reported by Wick radio. NAVENA had been driven ashore in severe weather and was hard aground on the Orkneys, at Copinsay. Three other vessels, GLEN AFFRIC, BOUNTIFUL and COASTAL EXPRESS tried to reach her but they were some way off. Kirkwall lifeboat reported that the trawler was in a critical position with only the wheelhouse above water.

20 men from the Deerness Coastguard Rescue team were in sight of the vessel but the wind prevented them from getting a rocket line aboard. Because of this, and despite the severe conditions, a Sikorsky BA.S61 was scrambled from Dyce.

Battling through atrocious conditions the helicopter succeeded in reaching the stricken vessel and found her in a desperate condition. She had been driven beam on against jagged rocks and was in danger of breaking up. The crew of 12 men were huddled inside the wheelhouse waiting for rescue. In a consummate display of flying skills the pilot of the helicopter winched all the crew off in spite of the winds that were gusting in excess of 100mph, a feat that earned the pilot the Board of Trade Rescue Shield for the best rescue involving the saving of life during 1973.
All the crew were landed at Kirkwall.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Navena FD172
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Navena FD172
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Changelog

24/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 365784
Yard Number: 1564
Completed: 1976
Gross Tonnage: 393
Net Tonnage: 156
Length: 33.41 m
Breadth: 8.50 m
Depth: 4.66 m
Built: Beverley Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd,
Beverley
Oil Engine: 1700bhp/1268kw 16-cyl by Mirrlees Blackstone Ltd, Dursley – CP propeller
Speed: 11 knots
Owner: J Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood

History

05.12.1975: Launched Beverley Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.1564) for J. Marr & Son Ltd, Fleetwood as NAVENA.
5.05.1976: Completed.
02.07.1976: Registered at Fleetwood (FD323).
07.1982: All of the company’s remaining Fleetwood based trawlers (8) transferred to fish out of Hull.
01.1984: Landed at Aberdeen. Struck quay on sailing for Hull (Sk. Jeffrey Sumner); eleven crew.
26.01.1984: In severe weather off Flamborough Head started to take in water forward and developed a starboard list due to flooding of factory deck. Fearing that the trawler would capsize a distress call was sent and crew look to liferafts but skipper remained onboard to direct the rescue. Liferaft capsized and all crew picked up from the water by RAF helicopter. Sk. Sumner later picked up by helicopter. Hull tug YORKSHIREMAN (686gt/1978) engaged to take trawler in tow but in the meantime three Scarborough fishing vessels connected claiming salvage and CASSAMANDA (SH128) (49grt) commenced tow to Scarborough.
27.01.1984: Having been refused entry to harbour and directed to beach the vessel, put ashore south of the harbour and later capsized. Abandoned to the underwriters and United Towing Ltd, Hull engaged to refloat. Attended by salvage ship RECOVERY (484grt/1942), leak in engineroom sealed and loose gear removed.
03.1984: On spring tide failed to refloat and United withdrew following expiry of fixed term contract. Humber Diving Co, Hull engaged to refloat.
24/25.03.1984: Again failed to refloat on spring tide. Vessel now on her beam ends on beach.
04.1984: Sold by the underwriters to Rayner Shipping Ltd, Bradford.
Late 04.1984: Scarborough Council took possession of the wreck i.a.w. Merchant Shipping Act 1894. Hopper dredger SKARTHI (112grt/1952) beached alongside. Salvage company Neptun Salvage & Marine G.m.b.H, Hamburg engaged to refloat and deliver Middlesbrough.
23.05.1984: Fleetwood registry closed “Total Loss”.
25.05.1984: Salved by floating sheerlegs HEBELIFT 3 (3528grt/1976).
27.05.1984: Sailed Scarborough for Tees suspended from sheerlegs towed by tug ERLAND (309grt/1974). Slipped by Marine Partners Ltd, Middlesbrough for survey. Declared a Constructive Total Loss, unslipped and beached.
1984: Sold to Cherry Marine Ltd, Middlesbrough.
1985: Sold to S & S Sunderland Marine Ltd, Sunderland for possible repair.
07.03.1985: Refloated by tug CHERRY (62grt/1963).
18.03.1985: Sailed Tees for Sunderland in tow of tug CHERRY. At Sunderland docked to assess work involved in rebuild. Work commenced on machinery and removal of damaged steelwork.
Late 1985: Re-assessed. As vessel no longer registered, repairs would have to be in accordance with latest rules and specifications; project considered to be uneconomical. Laid up in South Docks.
05.1991: In process of being broken up at Sunderland.
Notes
Crew members from Fleetwood and Poulton who where aboard Navena when she was stranded at Scarborough.

J Sumner
H M Thomas
N Buston
William McAlpine
J Randals
Robert Tate
C A Wilson

Note

The three skippers were working in the approximate vicinity of NAVENA when the crew abandoned ship and the three took her skipper off before taking her in tow. The saga turned sour at the entrance to the port when the harbour master told them not to bring her into the harbour as intended. Instead he told them to beach her being mindful that she could have sunk in the harbour mouth.
In giving this instruction he cost the would be salvors about £300k each but the decision also put the onus onto the local authority thus costing the ratepayer £150k to get her lifted off by the giant shearlegs from Holland, after several failed attempts using other methods. There was no loss of life and something that is generally overlooked, but the crew were glad to be off her as they had to be picked from the sea after the liferaft capsized.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Navena FD323
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

M.T. Navena FD323
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

M.T. Navena FD323

M.T. Navena FD323

M.T. Navena FD323

M.T. Navena FD323
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

M.T. Navena FD323
Picture courtesy of James Cullen

M.T. Navena FD323
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Changelog
24/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 301881
Yard Number: 951
Completed: 1959
Launched: 07/09/1959
Registered: 09/01/1960
Gross Tonnage: 398
Length: 140 ft
Breadth: 28 ft
Depth: 14 ft
Engine: 860bhp Mirlees Bickerton & Day
Speed: 11.75 knots

History

1959: Completed by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd. No. 951) for Wyre Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as WYRE VICTORY. Registered at Fleetwood (FD181).
17.12.1971: On an Iceland trip landed 916 kits of fish for 14 days (Sk. Tom Watson). Catch included 700 kits of cod and 150 of plaice for £10,207.
14.01.1976: Outward bound for Iceland vessel grounded on submerged reef at Mill Rocks, west of the Isle of Rhum in the Inner Hebrides.

At 6:45 Oban radio received a distress message stating that she had struck Mill Rocks to the SW of Oigh Sgeir Lighthouse (between Barra and Rum), and was badly holed forward and making water fast. At 07:14 the ferry IONA picked up a liferaft with the crew on board. The skipper and the radio operator stayed with the stricken vessel.

WYRE VICTORY’S sister ship, WYRE CONQUEROR, responded to her distress call and floated 3 liferafts across to her. At 07:22 Oban was advised that the wreck had been abandoned but had drifted off the rocks. WYRE CONQUEROR hoped to tow her to Canna but, after drifting with the tide, WYRE VICTORY sank.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Wyre Victory FD181
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Wyre Victory FD181
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T. Wyre Victory FD181
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

Wyre Victory
Newsclip courtesy of Geoff Davidson

Changelog

25/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 187841
Yard Number: 1406
Completed: 1955
Gross Tonnage: 338
Net Tonnage: 119
Length: 132.5 ft
Breadth: 27.25 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 735bhp 7-cyl Mirrlees
Speed: 11.25 knots

History

28.11.1955: Completed by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby for Wyre Trawlers Ltd
Fleetwood, as WYRE VANGUARD.
29.11.1955: Registered at Fleetwood (FD36).
01.07.1969: Became part of British United Trawlers fleet.
10.1973: On a trip to Faroes (Sk. Roy Belcher) reported to owners that a stowaway, identified as Adam Davis of Northendon, had been discovered.
1974: Converted for pair trawling (for Herring) with the WYRE MAJESTIC.
18.05.1978: Transferred to British United Trawlers (Aberdeen) Ltd Aberdeen (FD36).
1979: Sold to shipbreakers J Gibson Johnson Ltd, Hull en bloc with WYRE REVENGE, then resold to H Kitson Vickers & Sons (Engineering) Ltd.
12.1979: Resold again to S Dalton Skip Hire Ltd and broken up at Bo’ness.
14.01.1980: Fleetwood registry closed.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Wyre Vanguard FD36
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

M.T Wyre Vanguard FD36
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

M.T. Wyre Vanguard FD36
Picture courtesy of Peter Hearn

Changelog
25/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Additional information courtesy of Jan Harteveld, Barry Banham, Mike Thompson, Bob Durrant and Bob Mitchell

Technical

Official Number: 181298
Yard Number: 777
Completed: 1947
Launched: 26/09/1946
Registered: 31/03/1947
Gross Tonnage: 384.84
Net Tonnage: 118.99
Length: 133.5 ft
Breadth: 25.6 ft
Depth: 12.6 ft
Engine: 540bhp 8 cyl 2 SA oil engine by Crossley Bros Ltd, Openshaw, Manchester
Speed: 11.3 knots

History

26.09.1946: Launched by Cooke, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.777) for The Great Western Fishing Co Ltd, Aberdeen, as ALLAN WATER.
28.03.1947: Registered at Hull (H420).
28.03.1947: Basil A. Parkes, Fleetwood appointed manager.
31.03.1947: Completed.
04.03.1948: Transferred to Fleetwood.
08.1948: Sold to N.V. Visscherijonderneming de VEM, IJmuiden, Holland (MoT ref: G.S.P.8762 dated16.07.1948).
11.08.1948: Hull registry closed. Registered at IJmuiden (IJM34).
1954: Re-engined with a 6-cyl 4SA oil engine by WUMAG-Krupp, Görlitz, engine made 1941 (U-boat design).
12.01.1960: Sold to Visserijonderneming v/h J.C. Pronk, IJmuiden. Last skipper out of IJmuiden before lay up, Dirk Roeleveld.
1964: Laid up at IJmuiden with engine problems.
1964: Sold in an en bloc deal with motor trawler THORINA (IJM33) to Claridge Trawlers Ltd, Lowestoft (J. Leggett manager). Engine was started but found to have camshaft housing fractured.
21.08.1964: Arrived Lowestoft from IJmuiden in tow of THORINA. Laid up pending outfitting and re-engining. WUMAG-Krupp engine used for spares for ST. GEORGES.
21.12.1964: UK Register opened and sanctioned to rename ST. DAVIDS (LT494).
11.1965: Re-engined with a 4-cyl 1100bhp (derated to 954bhp) 4SA oil engine by Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln.
01.1966: Sailed on first trip from Lowestoft (Sk. Billy Hitter).
09.05.1966: Registered at Lowestoft as ST. DAVIDS (LT494).
10.1966: First Lowestoft vessel to gross £4,000 (Sk. Billy Hitter).
1967: First Lowestoft vessel to gross £5,000 and second highest earning Lowestoft vessel, £62,710 (Sk. Billy Hitter).
06.1980: Sold to Romford Steel Supplies Ltd, Romford, Essex for breaking up.
15.07.1980: Sold on to Medway Secondary Metals Ltd, Rainham, Kent.
09.1980: Sailed Lowestoft for Medway.
05.01.1981: Breaking began at Bloors Wharf, Rainham.
2?.01.1981: Lowestoft registry closed, vessel broken up.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Allan Water H420
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

M.T. Allan Water H420
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

M.T. Allan Water IJM34
Picture courtesy of The JJ Collection

Allan Water
Clipping courtesy of Geoff Davidson

Changelog
25/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.

Technical

Official Number: 185150
Yard Number: 830
Completed: 1953
Gross Tonnage: 498
Length: 169.1 ft
Breadth: 29.1 ft
Built: Cooke, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Engine: Mirlees, Bickerton & Day developing 1050BHP
Speed: 12.1 knots

History

22.08.1952: Completed by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd.No.830) for St Andrew’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Hull as PRINCESS ANNE. Registered at Hull (H268).
08.05.1954: Sold to Pecheries de la Marine, Bolougne, France and renamed ST JUST (B 2672).
17.03.1967: Sold to Wyre Trawlers, Fleetwood and renamed WYRE GLEANER. Registered at Fleetwood (FD269).
09.07.1971: Sold to British United Trawlers (Finance) Ltd, Hull.
02.06.1976: Last landing.
06.1976: Sold to Stanley Ferry Dismantlers Ltd, Hayle site for demolition.
24.07.1976: Sailed Fleetwood for Hayle.
08.1976: Demolition commenced.

Click to enlarge images

M.T. Wyre Gleaner FD269
Picture courtesy of Len Charnley

M.T. Wyre Gleaner FD269
Picture courtesy of Mark Stopper

Changelog
25/09/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.