REGINALD M149

CORNET M46

Official No:  112453   Port Number and Year: 9th in Milford, 1899 (M149);

                                                                             -   in Plymouth, 1901 (PH75);

                                                                            9th in Milford, 1909 (M46)

                                                                             -   in Grimsby, 1916 (GY1006)

                                                                             -   in Aberdeen, 1920 (A ? )

Description: Steel side / beam trawler; steam screw, coal burning. Ketch rigged: foresail, mainsail, mizzen

Crew:  9 men

Registered at Milford: 28 Nov 1899 (M149); 14 Dec 1909 (M46)

Built: 1899, by Cochrane & Cooper, Selby.  (Yard no. 259)

Tonnage: 190.94 grt  72.14 net. 1 Jan 1914: Amended by Board of Trade to 72.69 net.

Length / breadth / depth (feet):110.7 / 21 / 11.25

Engine: T 3-cyl. 55 hp.; by Charles D. Holmes, Hull.

Owners:

 

As REGINALD M149:

28 Nov 1899: Peter Llewellyn Hancock, Picton Rd., Hakin

David Pettit, 47, Priory Rd., Hakin

 

As PH75

28 Oct 1901:  J. H. Luxton, Plymouth

William Kent, Plymouth

 

As M46

14 Dec 1909:

Joseph White Johnston, 'Point House, Hazelbeach, Llanstadwell (22/64)

David Pettit, 47 Priory Rd., Milford  (32/64)

Manager: David Pettit

Renamed CORNET 12 Feb 1910

 

4 May 1911:  David Pettit, 47 Priory Rd., Milford  (64/64)

Manager / Owner

 

30 Apr 1914: Edith Kendal, 'Lyndale', Brookland Ave., Cleethorpes (32/64)

Henry Bernard Fain, Fish Docks, Grimsby (32/64)

Manager: H. B. Fain

 

23 Aug 1915: Thomas George Hancock, 'Hill House', Hill St., Hakin (32/64)

John Davies Harries, The Rath, Milford. (32/64)

Manager: T. G. Hancock

 

As GY1006

15 Dec 1916: G. F. Sleight, Grimsby.

 

Oct 1920: Registered in Aberdeen

 

Renamed NICHOLAS PIERRE

By 1930: Vve. Gournay-Delplanque et N. Robert, Boulogne.

 

Landed at Milford:  M149: 7 Dec 1899 - 6 Jul 1902

M46: 25 Nov 1909 - 29 Nov 1916

Skippers: David Pettit cert 6943, age 33, born Essex, residing 47 Priory Rd., Milford; signed on 25 Nov 1899; 2 Jan, 31 Jul 1900

A. Barrett 5307, 25, - , Robert St., Milford; 1 Jan 1901

John Henry Dove 2391, 34, Great Clapton, - ; 20 Apr 1901

William Kent 776, 39, Plymouth, 46 South Side St., Plymouth; 5 Aug 1901; 1 Jan 1902

Jack Welham 6150, 30, Yarmouth, - ; 25 Jun 1902

Charles J. Wildridge 1847, 46, Hull, Manchester Sq., Milford; 1911

James Chaney . 6638, 37, Winterton, Wellington Rd., Hakin; 13 Jan 1912

William Kent 7835, 30, Lowestoft, Gwili Rd., Hakin; 28 Jan, 9 Jul 1912

B. Foster 1608, 56, Greenwich, 13 Starbuck Rd, Milford; 18 Dec 1912; 3 Jan 1913

G. H. Barnett 4244, 39, Hull, - ; 15 Apr 1913

Notes: 1914-18: Fishery trawler.

1916: Picked up a German torpedo in the trawl, 18 ft. long, with a girth of 5 ft.

Oct 1931: Sank after collision.

Cert. Cancelled & Milford Registry Closed: 15 Dec 1916; transferred to the port of Grimsby

 Accidents and Incidents

Log book entries:

07.11.1900.

Towed the Brigantine 'Alruna' of Dublin from 2 till 5.15 p.m. into Milford, and docked her.

    David Pettit. (Skipper)

[See below]

 

25.11. 1900.

Cardigan Bay.

A. Barrett, age 24, Mate; born Hull, residing in Milford, was struck by a bar whilst heaving up the trawl.  He was working the winch, and was struck by a bar of the winch accidentally.

    J. Huddlestone. (Skipper)

 

20.04.1901.

April 20th,1901,at sea two miles south west from St Ann's Head.

W. E.Green, Mate, age 32 years, British, born in Hull, residing in Milford.

    We left Milford on the 20th April 1901, on a fishing expedition.  After having got the anchor aboard I went onto the bridge and ordered full speed ahead and proceeded to sea, the weather being fine and the sea  smooth, the wind from the east.

    I then gave the mate orders to set the sails which he with the rest of the crew proceeded to do, and having finished, then to clear up the decks.  About 7 p.m., when about two miles south west from St Ann's Head, I came off the bridge to go to tea, leaving the bosun at the wheel.  When I got aft I enquired for the mate and no one seemed to have seen him, only when he was making water on the quarter deck after the sails being set.

    l went down the cabin expecting to find him, but not seeing him, we then looked all over the ship but could not find him and came to the conclusion that he had accidentally fell over board. I then came back to Milford keeping a look out to see if we could see him, but did not, and arrived at anchorage about 8.30.p.m.

    John Henry Dove. (Skipper).

   

16.08.1901.

I joined the Steam Trawler "Reginald" to take her to sea on Saturday,  April 20th.  At tide time. having no deck hands only the mate, we went out of dock and came to the anchorage.  I came ashore to look for hands which I got about six p.m.  We then got the anchor aboard and went to sea.  About an hour after, I went to look for the ship's log book to sign the crew on and I could not find it.  I reported it to the superintendent on our arrival back and got supplied with a supplementary one and signed the crew on.  I made enquires off the owner and the late skipper, but they knew nothing about it.  The ship had been under repairs for about three weeks.

    John Henry Dove.  (Skipper).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph of Wednesday 19th December 1900:

 

    At Pembroke Dock County Court on Wednesday last before his Honour Judge Bishop and two nautical assessors.  Peter Llewellyn, on behalf of the owner and crew of the steam trawler "Reginald", of the port of Milford, was plaintiff in an action for salvage and towage against the brigantine "Alruna", of Dublin. The damages claimed were £150.The "Alruna" is the property of Wallace Brothers, coal merchants, Dublin and Liverpool. Mr Plews (instructed by Mr H.J. Evans, Milford, solicitor )appeared for the plaintiff. Mr Arthur Lewis (instructed by Messrs Eaton Evan and Williams, Haverfordwest and Milford) defended.

    Mr Plews stated the case. The claim was for services rendered by the owners of the "Reginald" to the "Alruna" on the 7th November last, and was for £150. The "Alruna" was a wooden vessel, built in America in l871.  She was on a voyage, carrying a cargo of coal, about 252 tons, which had been shipped on board at Maryport, consigned to a Mr Gallagher, of Wexford. In reply to his Honour Mr Lewis said the value of the "Alruna" was estimated by the defendants at £300, cargo £170, freight £70, total £540. Mr Plews said the plaintiffs put the value of vessel and cargo at £750.

    The "Alruna" left Maryport on 31st October, and on Tuesday 5th November reached seven miles east-south-east of Arklow Light. There was a gale blowing at the time and she lost her upper sail. She got into Wexford Bay about 7 o'clock that evening and anchored there.

    Mr Lewis said these things had nothing to do with the case.  The salvage services, if any, were rendered in Milford Haven, within three miles of the place they were now sitting, on the 7th November.

    Mr Plews continued. He repeated that the vessel anchored in Wexford, both anchors down.  There was a storm on and the same night the port chain parted.  Ten minutes later the starboard chain broke, and then the vessel began to drift. The mainstay sail was blown away and the vessel began to run for shelter in the direction of Milford Haven. About 1.p.m. on the 7th November she was flying the jack and the pilot was sent off to her. The skipper of the steam trawler "Reginald", then at anchor on the west side of Milford, saw the "Alruna" coming up the bay with no sails. The wind was blowing from the north-west, the tide was just about an hour after flood. The "AIruna" struck on the east side of the entrance to Milford Docks.

    A communication was made to the skipper of the "Reginald" that the "Alruna" wanted assistance.  The message being brought by the pilot boat, the pilot had found her in such a condition that he thought it necessary to call in the assistance of the "Reginald". The latter vessel immediately hove up her anchor and went to the assistance at considerable risk owing to the gale.  Eventually they got close and passed a warp, which, with some difficulty, was made fast, and they towed her into Milford Haven. 

    Evidence for the plaintiff would show that the "Alruna" could undoubtedly have done a great deal of damage to herself or the other vessels in the harbour, had not the "Reginald" gone to her assistance. The" Alruna" had no means of controlling herself, was drifting with the tide, and  might easily have gone upon the rocks. The "Reginald" was worth £6,000, was an iron ship, and  only twelve months old.

    Frederick J. Hancock, Trinity Pilot, swore that, on the 7th November about 1o'clock, he saw the brigantine "Alruna", about a half a mile west of the Milford Dock entrance.  The tide was then three-quarters of an hour's flood.  Up to high water the flood increases in rapidity. The "Alruna" was flying a jack calling a pilot to her assistance. Witness proceeded to her at once.  He and  a boatman launched a boat, and  when he came alongside, he saw that the ship was trailing the ground with several vessels on her lee. Witness shouted out "hard away", to which the captain replied that the vessel was on the ground, that his sails were burst, and his anchor chains broken. He got on board, and the vessel struck soon after on the east side of the dock channel.        

Witness advised him to get a steamer to tow him, and on the captain's agreeing that that was the only thing to do, he went to the skipper of the "Reginald" . A schooner just before had to clear out of the way to prevent the "Alruna" colliding with her. The "Alruna" was then at the mercy of the wind and  tide, there were 14 feet in the dock channel, two feet more than the "Alruna"  drew.  The skipper of the "Reginald" agreed to go to the "Alruna's" assistance, and with some difficulty  they managed to get a rope fast to the "Alruna", and  they got her into dock about 5.30.

    Cross-examined, witness had no watch with him and did not know exactly how long the "Reginald"' was towing the "Alruna".  Three attempts were made to get a hawser on to the "Alruna " before the "Reginald" succeeded in getting one on. They first tried two schooners.

    Mr Lewis: Who was  with  you in your own boat, when you first went out?

    Witness: Me and myself. (Laughter).

    Cross examination continued. The wind was blowing partly off the land and the sea was smooth.  He knew  enough about a chart to know the right side from the wrong.  There were two other steam tugs near the "Alruna", perhaps not two cables away, but they were  on the ground.  There were ten cables to a mile, and the "Reginald" was half a mile away from the "Alruna". If canvas had been put on the "Alruna" he could have beached her near Pill at low  water or at half tide.  At the time the "Reginald" took hold of the "Alruna", all immediate danger of collision was absent, but that was an act of God.  It was  impossible even with canvas to run the vessel to a place of safety, but he could have run her up the Haven. The vessel would not be in a place of safety if it were beached.  Witness learned afterwards that the captain of the "Alruna" had dropped a kedge and it was lying there that day.  Another vessel might damage her bottom by running against the kedge, and that was one of the risks the "Reginald" might run against "unknown things".

    Counsel jocosely suggested that perhaps the things unknown to a pilot might consist of a soda water bottle or something of that kind. Witness admitted that the ground all about Milford Docks was soft enough for ships to lie on.

    In the course of further cross-examination, Mr  Lewis asked the witness was he brother of the owner of the "Reginald". Witness: The same woman and man brought us up. (Laughter)

    Joseph Huddleston, skipper of the "Reginald", deposed he  was anchored outside the dock on November 7th.  He was applied to by the last witness and another man to go to the assistance of the "Alruna".   He had noticed the "Alruna" about 1 o'clock running up the harbour with a jack flying at her foremast and striking the ground on the east side of Milford Docks.  It was a common occurrence and he paid no attention to it until the pilot came to him.  Witness immediately went to the assistance of the "Alruna" at great risk of the "Reginald" colliding with other vessels or of getting aground.  The "Alruna"  was  in danger.  He got her in tow at 2 p,m. and had her docked at 5.15.

    Cross-examined, he could not see whether the "Alruna" was in danger or not and he did not go to her assistance until he was called.  He was  of the opinion, however, that she was in danger.  At the time there was plenty of wind with a moderate sea.  He got hold of the "Alruna", abreast of Newton Noyes Pier, and at the time she was absolutely clear of all shipping.

    Peter Llewellyn Hancock, owner of the "Reginald", said his vessel was worth £6,000, her cargo of fish on the 7th November was worth when sold £152, and he lost £50 on its sale owing to being late on the market, in consequence of his vessel having lost its turn owing to the delay in rescuing the "Alruna".  His vessel came in last and could not sell till last next morning.  In cross-examination witness said £152 was not the average value of a cargo of fish.  He had made an average of £183 for the last weeks.  His claim had originally been for salvage alone, but was amended afterwards to include towage.  He considered that he should be paid salvage on account of his skipper risking a £6,000 vessel to rescue one worth only £750.

    Michael Lewis, coxswain on the R.E. boat, Fort Hubberston, who had witnessed the incidents, gave evidence as previous witnesses as to the risks run by the "Alruna", and by the "Reginald" in going to her rescue. The danger run by the " Reginald" was from running into the anchors. This closed the case for the plaintiff.

    In opening the defence, Mr Lewis said he did not dispute that certain services had been rendered, or that the "Alruna" could not be docked without the assistance of a tow.  He submitted, however, that no case for salvage had been made out, and that £25, which the defendant had paid into court, was ample payment for the towage services rendered by the "Reginald" . It was a curious thing that no one seemed to apprehend any danger to the "Alruna" until the pilot told the skipper of the "Reginald".  What was the risk to the salving vessel, the" Reginald"?  The skipper of the "Reginald" stated that he drove his vessel at full speed over a bank. If he did so, he was a madman to take the risk. The plaintiffs were then driven into a corner to suggest a possible risk to the "Reginald", and the possible danger was that it might have had a hole knocked in its bottom by some imaginary anchor, which might happen to be there. He asked the court to hold that the claim for salvage had no foundation, and that £25 was sufficient remuneration for the services rendered by the plaintiff.

    Charles Beckett, Custom boat man at Milford Haven, gave evidence as to witnessing the arrival of the "Alruna" from the watch house and seeing her go aground.

    Martin O'Leary, skipper of the "Alruna", said he had been master since 1861. 0n November 7th, he had lost the mainstay sail, but coming up Milford Harbour, he had up mainsail, staysail, and fore and topsail. He had come up with the flood, and the vessel caught ground off the dock channel.  It was then unmanageable, but it got off the ground in half an hour.  He had a small anchor on board, but it only held for twenty minutes when the chain snapped. He had plenty of canvas on board, and the vessel was in no danger.  He  signalled before going aground for a pilot as his men were tired, and he wanted the pilot to assist in squaring the yards and that sort of thing. (Laughter).  William Butler, mate of the "Alruna", gave like evidence.

    Counsel having addressed the court, His Honour delivered judgment. He said he  was advised by the nautical assessors that the "Alruna" was in danger.  No-one who had heard the evidence could come to any other conclusion. The pilot, who went on board, said she was, whilst witnesses for the defendants admitted that ships had to get out of her way. The court also agreed that the "Reginald" did run certain risks, and  rendered both salvage and towage services, the salvage being carried out by the towage, and they would award £50 and costs, inclusive of the £25 lodged in court. A verdict was entered for this amount.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ALRUNA:  Wooden Brigantine. Tonnage. 191. Built 1871. New Brunswick. Length. 100.8. Breadth. 27.9. Depth. 9.6.

Owners: W. Wallace. Registered Dublin. British.]

 

 _________________________

 

CORNET

 

Log book entries:

 

22.01.1911

10 miles off Helvich Hel [?].  SE

High pressure bottom end ran hot and white metal running out, causing oilways to block.  Had to stop engines to clear oilways and make new ones.  Stopped engines about 12, restarted about 12.40 p.m.

    C.I. Wildridge (Skipper)

    T. Taylor (Mate 8844)

 

10.03.1911

On March 10th, 1911, at 10.50 p.m., the wind being N by W, strong breeze, whilst towing our fishing gear our main engine broke down, and on examining them the Chief Engineer reported to me that the feed bilge pump crossheads was broken, and also the chamber and castings was broken too, and also the the pump lever and high pressure rod was slightly bent.  We did temporary repairs to them but we failed to get the water to pass into the boiler, so we then put the donkey engine on the hot well so as to give the boiler the feed supply of water.  Started again on at 8 p.m. on the 11th, and all went well until March 12th, at 1 p.m.  Whilst towing our gear the Chief reported that the donkey engine had broken down.  We hauled and did temporary repairs to the bucket valve which we found was broken when examining it.  Started engines again at 4 a.m., hauled at 8 a.m., shot gear at 9 p.m and at 9.30 broke down again and on examination it was found that the donkey bucked [?] valve of crank shaft was broken.

    C.I. Wildridge (Skipper)

 

[See 1904 CORNWALL log book entry re REGINALD - later renamed CORNET - for earlier mechanical problems.]

 

 

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