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Grimsby Fishing Vessels

665K views 2K replies 282 participants last post by  HauntedSerenade 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I've started this thread to discuss Grimsby fishing vessels. I'm in the process of compiling a database of the above and, would welcome any contributions on this theme. ie. photo's, stories of life on board, histories of the vessels etc.

Hopefully as this thread develops, it can become a reference point for people with similar interests.

Regards

Clem
 
#52 ·
Clem said:
Starting with GY280 Mildenhall, I have not yet discovered how she was lost and, I don't have an image of her. If anyone knows, please post.

Clem
I have a report on the loss of the Mildenhall. It is an Acrobat file. But I don't know the house rules here. Can I post an attachment and if so, how?

I also have a picture, though a poor one. Not sure how to upload that either.

Sorry to be pathetic. Must be the haircut.

Hilary
 
#53 ·
Clem said:
GY190 Northern Spray

BRITISH SKIPPER FINED IN ICELAND
REYKJAVIK, Oct 27
Dennis Pougher, skipper of the Hull trawler Peter Cheyney, was today fined 300.000 kronur (about £2,500) for fishing inside Icelandic waters. Pougher, who admitted the charge, told the court at Isafjordur, north-west Iceland, that his radar had broken down.
The Peter Cheyney was arrested yesterday by the Icelandic gunboat Odinn after she had sailed from Isafjordur, where she had put ashore 20 shipwrecked seamen from the Grimsby trawler Northern Spray.
 
#57 ·
GY280 Mildenhall

I think the photo of the Mildenhall and her crew from the 1930's is of GY124, built in April 1936 before being taken over by the Admiralty at the start of the war.

GY280 was ex. Drangey (built January 1935) till her name change to Mildenhall in March 1947.

This threw me for quite awhile (a few months ago) until I found that the owners H Croft Baker had two Mildenhalls!
 
#58 ·
Thanks for the report Hilary, I'll enjoy reading it over a malt!

Also the photo of the crew of 'the other' Mildenhall (GY124) is very interesting. It might just be I had another relative on her as well! (*)) One of the crew certainly looks familar. Any chance you can email the full size photo to scrutinise?

Cheers

Clem
 
#59 ·
Clem said:
GY280 Mildenhall

My last post of the evening. Two more references to Mildenhall.

Mildenhall

A stray mention in 1939 in connection with the loss of the Hull trawler St Sebastian:

The Times, Thursday, Mar 23, 1939; pg. 4

INQUIRY INTO LOSS OF TRAWLER
VAIN ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE
HULL, March 22

A Board of Trade inquiry was opened at Hull Law Courts yesterday into the stranding and total loss, with a crew of 16 men, of the Hull steam trawler St Sebastian on September 29 last on the coast of Bear Island in the Arctic Circle. The Wreck Commissioner, Mr J. G. Trapnell, K.C., was assisted by three nautical assessors.
Mr E.M. P****y, for the Board of Trade, said that the vessel was homeward bound from the Bear Island fishing grounds when the accident occurred. He read out a series of wireless messages sent out by the St Sebastian when she struck the rocks, which were picked up by a number of vessels. The last of the messages was received in the early hours of the morning from the wireless operator of the St Sebastian in which he said that the chart-room was filling with water.
Evidence was given by Skipper James Myers, of the steam trawler Cape Duner, who said that he and five other trawlers attempted to get near the wreck, but the seas were so heavy that he found it impossible. The witness with five of his crew attempted to land on the island from the leeward in the hope of rescuing any men who had got ashore, but they failed to reach the shore and the trawler Kingston Cairngorm picked up their boat and saved them. Eventually a party of 10 from his vessel and the trawler Davy landed at another point. They found the wrecked trawler being pounded by heavy seas, but could see no sign of life.
Skipper R. H. Broomhead, of the Grimsby trawler Mildenhall, gave evidence that he reached the scene the following day and while watching the ship for any signs of life saw her break in two.

---------------------------------------------

The Times, Wednesday, Nov 03, 1948; pg. 3

BRITISH TRAWLER LOST IN ARCTIC
Lloyd's agent at Tromso reported yesterday: A wireless message from H.M.S. Romola reports that the British steam trawler Mildenhall has gone aground south-west of Cape Nyemetsky. The vessel is a total loss, but the entire crew of 21 have been saved and will be landed at Tromso.
 
#607 ·
Clem said:
GY280 Mildenhall

My last post of the evening. Two more references to Mildenhall.

Mildenhall

A stray mention in 1939 in connection with the loss of the Hull trawler St Sebastian:

The Times, Thursday, Mar 23, 1939; pg. 4

INQUIRY INTO LOSS OF TRAWLER
VAIN ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE
HULL, March 22

A Board of Trade inquiry was opened at Hull Law Courts yesterday into the stranding and total loss, with a crew of 16 men, of the Hull steam trawler St Sebastian on September 29 last on the coast of Bear Island in the Arctic Circle. The Wreck Commissioner, Mr J. G. Trapnell, K.C., was assisted by three nautical assessors.
Mr E.M. P****y, for the Board of Trade, said that the vessel was homeward bound from the Bear Island fishing grounds when the accident occurred. He read out a series of wireless messages sent out by the St Sebastian when she struck the rocks, which were picked up by a number of vessels. The last of the messages was received in the early hours of the morning from the wireless operator of the St Sebastian in which he said that the chart-room was filling with water.
Evidence was given by Skipper James Myers, of the steam trawler Cape Duner, who said that he and five other trawlers attempted to get near the wreck, but the seas were so heavy that he found it impossible. The witness with five of his crew attempted to land on the island from the leeward in the hope of rescuing any men who had got ashore, but they failed to reach the shore and the trawler Kingston Cairngorm picked up their boat and saved them. Eventually a party of 10 from his vessel and the trawler Davy landed at another point. They found the wrecked trawler being pounded by heavy seas, but could see no sign of life.
Skipper R. H. Broomhead, of the Grimsby trawler Mildenhall, gave evidence that he reached the scene the following day and while watching the ship for any signs of life saw her break in two.

Nice to fined a bit about my Grand father we have a paper cutiing from the Hull daily mail and the cup shown in the picture. I am now trying to marry things up. Has anyone got any more info on the Vessel or anyone who new my Grand father.

Thanks
 
#60 ·
mattarosa said:
john shaw said:
Clem

re trawlers you are currently researching:

my wife (she of the pic of the Lacerta) has a limited edition print by an artist, Adrian Thompson, called "The Call of the Sea".

Your wife has excellent taste!

I also have this lovely print and mine is not in a frame, but it is too big for my scanner. If you (or your wife) don't fancy taking it out into the garden, I could have a go at photographing it.

There is actually a picture of The Call of the Sea, though not a brilliant one, on this website:

http://www.visitgrimsby.co.uk/origins.htm

Hilary
Hilary-- yes,that is indeed the same picture-- I will try to photograph tomorrow for Clem,but if it does not succeed perhaps you would also do it- I'll report back! Thanks
 
#63 ·
Clem said:
GY204 Northern Gem

I'm pretty sure you must be aware of the book Coxswain in the Northern Convoys by Sid Kerslake. For anyone that isn't, it is online at Naval-History.net:

http://www.naval-history.net/WW2Memoir-RussianConvoyCoxswain.htm

There are quite some references to Northern Spray in it, as well.

Here's a little item from the Times on the Gem:

The Times, Wednesday, May 13, 1953; pg. 8

GRIMSBY CATCH LANDED IN HOLLAND
The Grimsby trawler Northern Gem, which landed 33,000 stones of fish at Ijmuiden, Holland, on Monday, was making an experiment, the owners said yesterday. "Rather than let our ships lay up I would prefer that they land their catches on the Continent," said a spokesman of the firm. "It does seem fatuous that German ships should discharge at Grimsby while we send vessels to Holland, but it is preferable to laying up ships."

By the way, someone mentioned in a post about the Grimsby Telegraph having pictures. Their archives are online so it is easy to check whether they hold a picture of a particular trawler or not. I am guessing everyone with an interest in Grimsby trawlers already knows this, but I can post the URL if anyone needs it.

Hilary
 
#66 ·
Taipo GY389

The Times, Saturday, Mar 15, 1947; pg. 2

STEAMER DESTROYED BY FIRE
The steamer Empire Jonquil, 369 tons, was destroyed by fire in the North Sea, 40 miles off the Humber, early on Thursday morning. Four of the crew were lost, and four others were landed yesterday by the trawler Taipo.
The Empire Jonquil was bound from Jarrow to Chatham with coke when she caught fire. The four members of the crew who lost their lives were Skipper S.C. Whisker (Middlesbrough), Chief Engineer Hugh Murphy (Ellesmere Port), A.B. Charlie Stott (Stonehaven) and John Hall, aged 16 (Middlesbrough).
 
#67 ·
Lifeguard GY395

The Times, Thursday, Jul 07, 1960; pg. 12

ROYAL NAVY FOILS ICELAND GUNBOAT
REYKJAVIK, July 6 - The British destroyer Palliser intervened to prevent the Icelandic gunboat Thor from arresting the Grimsby trawler Lifeguard off Iceland during the night, it was reported here today.
The three ships waited all night pending orders to the destroyer from the British Admiralty. Late today the Palliser informed the Thor that she would not allow the arrest as the trawler had been fishing on the high seas, and not inside the four-mile limit and 12-mile limit as the Thor had alleged. The Lifeguard then sailed for home, and the Thor abandoned the chase.

(news of the Northern Spray as well as the Lifeguard in the following item):

The Times, Friday, Oct 25, 1963; pg. 10

£2,150 ICELAND FINE ON TRAWLER
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND, Oct 24 - Mr Oleson, skipper of the Grimsby trawler Lifeguard (668 tons), was fined 160,000 kronur (about £2,150) today on a charge of fishing inside Iceland's 12-mile limit. The Lifeguard was escorted into port by a fishery inspection vessel on Monday after the escort vessel fired a shot across her bows.
Isafjordur police court ordered confiscation of the trawler's catch and equipment. Mr Oleson told the court he lost his trawl while outside the limit and was trying to get it back.
Meanwhile, the Icelandic coastguard vessel Odinn today attempted to salve the Grimsby trawler Northern Spray (620 tons) whose crew of 20 men were rescused yesterday when the vessel ran aground in Isafjordur Bay in a storm.
Another British trawler, the James Barrie (666 tons) shot a rescue line across to the stranded vessel, hauling to safety eight crew members in a lifeboat. The Odinn rescued the rest of the crew.

Picture of Lifeguard attached.

That's all for now. Got a ceiling to paint.

Hilary
 

Attachments

#69 ·
Clem said:
Great posts Hilary. They add up to a very interesting read, thanks for kick starting this thread and if you have any more nuggets, please carry on posting. I'd rather be reading these than painting any ceiling!

Clem
Me too, but it had to be done.

I'll keep on trawling (!) through my files to see what I have, but I thought I would post a list of the trawlers I'm particularly interested in, just in case anyone has any info.

GY328 Edwardian
GY696 Sheldon
GY369 Curtana
GY365 Etrurian
GY284 Hammond
??? Sindonis
GY375 Equerry
GY1017 Kastoria
GY350 Staunton
GY924 Unitia
GY630 Nairana
GY759 Lord Northcliffe
GY440 Northern Sun
GY466 Vendora
GY1037 War Duke

Thanks
Hilary
 
#70 ·
Northern Sun GY440

The Times, Wednesday, Feb 14, 1962; pg. 9

FATAL ACCIDENT IN GRIMSBY TRAWLER
OSLO, Feb 13

The first officer of the Grimsby trawler Northern Sun, Mr Roy Ferrand, was killed and the skipper, Mr George Lively, was badly injured in an accident off the coast of Norway last Sunday. The trawler sailed to Harstad and the skipper was taken to hospital, where he had an arm amputated.
The ship is on her way back to Grimsby with the body of the first officer. Both the captain and the first officer come from Grimsby.
 
#71 ·
Port Vale

I think there may have been more than one Port Vale, but here goes on what I have:

The Times, Monday, Oct 28, 1974; pg. 1

BRITISH TRAWLER'S CREW RESCUE
Reykjavic, Oct 27 - All 18 men on board the Grimsby trawler Port Vale were rescued after their vessel ran aground off the east coast of Iceland in a gale last night.
The rescue was made by an Icelandic rescue team. Its leader said the weather had been terrible, with a dangerous surf.

The Times, Wednesday, Dec 03, 1975; pg. 6

ICELANDERS FORCE LONE SKIPPER BACK TO FLEET
From MIchael Horsnell
On board the support ship Miranda off south-east Iceland, Dec 2
The Grimsby trawler Port Vale was escorted from the North Cape of Iceland by the Icelandic coastguard vessel Ardvakur today after her trawl had been cut.
The Ardvakur, a small armed tender, stole up in darkness on the Port Vale while she was within the 50-mile limit; the coastguard ship pretended to be a trawler by carrying a trawl light on her mast.
The trawl cutting ws the price paid by her skipper, Mr John Rimmer, for refusing to join the main British trawler fleet off south-east Iceland.
For several days the Port Vale had fished alone and unprotected off the north-west coast more than 200 miles from the safety box designated by Mr Taff Davis, the commander of the British Goverment's defence ship Star Aquarius.
Tonight the Port Vale was heading for the main fleet where 49 trawleres had been fishing safely.
Before the trawl-cutting incident she had been constantly harassed by angry Icelandic fishermen. It was the first trawl-cutting incident since early last week when the trawler William Wilberforce suffiered a similar fate.
The British operations off the south-east coast have been deterring the Icelandic gunboats, though one Icelandic trawler, with Nordic bravado, sailed across the bows of the ocean-going defence tug Lloydsman and the Government support ship Miranda just before midday.
Frigate withdrawn: HMS Leopard, the first of three Royal Navy frigates sent to protect British trawlers fishing off Iceland, has been withdrawn and is to pay a courtesy visit to Grimsby on Thursday before returning to her home base of Portsmouth.
 
#72 ·
GY664 Lemberg

The Times, Tuesday, Sep 14, 1937; pg. 11

A storm during the week-end damaged enough apples to fill 150,000 barrells, about one-tenth of the Nova Scotian crop, and wrecked the trawler Lemberg on Sable Island. Her crew were rescued. Communications have been much disruped by the gale.

Not sure if this is the right Lemberg. I've seen a picture of a Lemberg on Redcar rocks. How many times could one trawler get wrecked?
 
#73 ·
Northern Sky GY427

The Times, Wednesday, Aug 13, 1958

BRITISH SKIPPER FINED £2,200
REYKJAVIC, Aug 12 - Alf Kissack, skipper of the Grimsby trawler Northern Sky (620 tons), was today fined 100,000 Icelandic kronor (about £2,200) in a magistrate's court at Seydisfjord, East Iceland on fishery charges. He was also ordered to pay the equivalent of about £700 costs. Fishing gear valued at £1800 and a catch of fish valued at £240 were confiscated.
Kissack was charged with fishing inside Icelandic territorial waters. There was also a charge relating to the size of the msh of the trawler's nets. The court said the fine was larger than usual because of the skipper's behaviour towards the officers of an Icelandic gunboat.
It was stated that the trawler would be allowed to sail from Seydisfjord later tonight. She was intercepted by the gunboat Odin [sic] on Sunday.
 
#74 · (Edited)
mattarosa said:
Port Vale

I think there may have been more than one Port Vale, but here goes on what I have:

The Times, Monday, Oct 28, 1974; pg. 1

BRITISH TRAWLER'S CREW RESCUE
Reykjavic, Oct 27 - All 18 men on board the Grimsby trawler Port Vale were rescued after their vessel ran aground off the east coast of Iceland in a gale last night.
The rescue was made by an Icelandic rescue team. Its leader said the weather had been terrible, with a dangerous surf....QUOTE]

Here's a picture of "Port Vale" aground in Iceland. She is the same "Port Vale" I sailed on in 1968. Photo by courtesy of www.arcticcorsair.f9.co.uk

John T.
 

Attachments

#75 ·
GY484 Port Vale

trotterdotpom said:
Here's a picture of "Port Vale" aground in Iceland. She is the same "Port Vale" I sailed on in 1968. Photo by courtesy of www.arcticcorsair.f9.co.uk

John T.
Hi John, nice to hear from someone who worked on her. GY484 Port Vale is, to my knowledge, the only Grimsby ship of this name. You probably already know she was built in October 1957 by the Goole Ship Building & Repair Co. Ltd. in Goole for Consols subsidiary Wendover Steam Fishing Co.

Colne Shipping Co. (Lowestoft) purchased her in June 1978. She became LT309, and went on to standby duties in 1981 before being sold for scrap on 07/01/87.

Can you tell us a little about your time on the Port Vale? My uncle, was Mate on her in 1962 fishing off the Faeroe's.

Regards

Clem
 
#76 · (Edited)
John Monger

hi not sure how this works, i am trying to gather info on my grandfather John Monger of 33 Carr lane CleEthorps. He was the captain of various fishing trawlers sailing out of Grimsby. he received and M.B.E and an D.S.C and was at both Dunkirk and Normandy. i cannot find his trawlers name which was converted to a mine sweeper and went up as far as ark-angle and Murmansk (please excuse the spelling). i would also like to find out what were the reasons if any for the awards or did everyone get them. Many thanks i hope i find some answer here.
 
#2,218 ·
John Monger

hi not sure how this works, i am trying to gather info on my grandfather John Monger of 33 Carr lane CleEthorps. He was the captain of various fishing trawlers sailing out of Grimsby. he received and M.B.E and an D.S.C and was at both Dunkirk and Normandy. i cannot find his trawlers name which was converted to a mine sweeper and went up as far as ark-angle and Murmansk (please excuse the spelling). i would also like to find out what were the reasons if any for the awards or did everyone get them. Many thanks i hope i find some answer here.
Hi Dave. I am not sure if you will get this. But I have recently at an auction got your grandfathers camera. He had written his name on the casing as well as his address. I was trying to find stuff online to trace down the details of the camera and came across this website. I live in South Africa as well, and I am amazed how far it has come to get here.
 
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