COTSWOLD GY77

Courtesy of Milford and West Wales Mercury

(Also see below)

 Accidents and Incidents

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 7th June 1946:

 

    On Wednesday, five local trawlers, the Duchess, Lephreto, Avonstream, Ellesmere and Cotswold (the last named a 140 footer, recently arrived for A. J. Tilbrook) were held up owing to a shortage of deck crew, a state of affairs which has reached alarming proportions.  The present dearth is chiefly due to the departure of many East Coast fishermen, who have opted to return to their home ports, chiefly Hull.

 

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From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 16th January 1948:

 

    If those gallant men who go down to the sea in ships, or others connected with the industry ashore, were asked to name the port's leading skippers last year, there would be much scratching of heads and even more heated argument.

    Our records, however, indicate that Skipper-Lieutenant Tom Donovan, North Road, in the Hatano, with crack Milford Skipper Albert Riby, Shakespeare Avenue, Gunner, and Skipper William Rostron, Shakespeare Avenue, Cotswold, finished on level terms.

    In the Castle Class, Skipper Bobby Kettle, Vaynor Road, Richard Crofts, topped the list of catches just ahead of Skipper Jimmy Hewitt, North Road, Concertator, though the average of Skipper Albert Seeling, Edward Street, during his nine months in charge of the William Bunce, gave the port's best monthly return.

    In the inter-Castle Class, 36 year old Skipper Jack Foster, Picton Road, had the best returns, while Skipper Jack Ryan, Stratford Road, once again earned his title of "Crabber King", which he held before the war.

 

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From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 15th October 1948:

 

    The United Company's steam trawler Cotswold has been purchased by Messrs. Yolland Bros., and left for sea last weekend on her first voyage for her new owners.  She is in charge of Skipper Ross.

 

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From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 18th January 1952:

 

FISHING "LEAGUE"

"DUKE" AT THE TOP AGAIN

 

    After two years as "runners-up", Skipper Albert Saunders and the "Milford Duke" are once again in top place in the Milford fishing "league".  In 1951 Skipper Saunders caught a greater value of fish than any other individual trawler captain in the port.

    Second in the league on last year's results is Skipper W. Burgoyne, who has moved up a place, closely followed by Skipper Steve Pembroke, who was sixth in the list of 1949 catches.  "Crack" Skipper for 1948 and 1949, Skipper Tom Donovan, D.S.C., is a close fifth in results while consistent Skipper James Jobson again occupies fourth position.

    Here are the leading positions, the ships being classed according to size.

 

THE BIG SHIPS

1.  Milford Duke (A. Saunders), Milford Steam Trawling Co.

2.  Maretta (W. Burgoyne), United Trawlers.

3.  Westcar (Steve Pembroke), Westward Trawlers.

4.  Milford Duchess (J. Jobson); 5, David Ogilvie (T. Donovan, DSC); 6, Maythorne (H. Rich); 7, Cotswold (J. Clarke); 8, George Hastings (H. Ryan); 9, Lady Olwen (George Coe).

 

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From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 6th August 1954:

 

    The trawler Cotswold, owned by Messrs. Yolland Brothers, is leaving today for the Continent, where we understand that she will be broken up for scrap. 

    A principal of the firm stated yesterday: " The Cotswold will be taking her last trip from Milford.  You can say she is going to the Continent."

 

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 13th August 1954:

 

    On Wednesday evening, the trawler Cotswold left on her last voyage in charge of Skipper E. Smith and a skeleton crew.  She is bound for Belgium, where she is to be scrapped.

    Built in 1917 at Selby, the Cotswold is 138 feet long and 312 tons gross.  She was one of the dwindling number of Super Castle trawlers locally. .....

    It seems ironical that while scrap metal cargoes have been landed at Milford from Belgium in recent weeks, a local trawler is bound for a graveyard of ships in that country.

  

 

As H194 (1921-45)

Courtesy of Fleetwood Maritime Heritage Trust and The Bosun's Watch

 

 

 

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