LOCH AWE M166

Official No: 129332     Port Number and Year:    -     in Aberdeen ,1909 (A274)                                                                                 1st  in Milford 1943

Description:  Steel side trawler; steam screw, coal burner. Ketch rigged: mizzen sail.

Crew: 9 men

Registered at Milford: 29 Jan 1943

Built: by Hall, Russell & Co., Aberdeen, in 1909.  (Yard no. 466)

Tonnage: 215.99 gross 81.78 net

Length / breadth / depth (feet):  115.7 / 22.6 / 12

Engine: T 3-cyl.. 75 rhp. 10 kts. Engine and boiler by builders.

Owners:   As A274 Jul 1909: Loch Line Steam Trawling & Fishing Co., 164 Market St., Aberdeen. Manager: H. A. Holmes   1929: Alexander A. Davidson, Commercial Quay, Aberdeen   As M166 29 Jan 1943: Milford Fisheries, Docks, Milford Manager: Owen Willie Limbrick, Pill Lane, Pill, Milford

Landed at Milford: 3, 7, 21 Feb 1943

Skipper: Robert Goldspink

Notes:  Apr1915: Requisitioned and converted to a minesweeper.  (Admy. no.1341) 24 Feb 1943: Left Milford, and lost in unknown circumstances

Cert. Cancelled & Milford Registry Closed: 5 Apr 1943.

 Accidents and Incidents:

From an unknown local newspaper, dated c. 18th March 1943:

There is great anxiety concerning the safety of the Milford steam trawler "Loch Awe", which is considerably overdue.  The vessel has been at sea for three weeks, more than double the usual length of the trip.  The skipper is Mr. Robert Goldspink, and one of the eleven members of the crew is his son-in-law, Mr. J. Salmon, who was sailing as Third Hand.  They live in the same house.

The names of the crew are:

Skipper - Robert Goldspink, Robert Street, Milford.

Mate - Dai Picton, Prioryville, Milford.

Bo'sun - Billy Sanderson, Greville Road, Milford.

Chief Engineer - G. Gwilliam, Gwili Road, Hakin.

Second Engineer - Jim Bird, Winch, Haverfordwest.

Firemen - Moore.

               Jefferies, Shakespeare Avenue, Milford.

Third Hand - J. Salmon, Robert Street, Milford.

Deckhands - Ernie Ledner, Edward Street, Milford.

                   Danny Dieby, Hull.

                   J. T. Jenkerson, Hull

 

Chief Engineer Gwilliam is a son-in-law of Mr. Wigg, ship's husband to the firm owning the trawler.

 

 

Letter from Mr. O. W. Limbrick, Managing Director of Milford Fisheries, dated 24th March 1943, to Mrs. J. Gwilliam, 25 Gwili Rd., Hakin:

 

Dear Mrs. Gwilliam,

 

        I have with very deep regret to further advise you that owing to the non-return of the "LOCH AWE" my Board of Directors have to resume [sic] that the vessel is lost with all hands.

        I had news that the small boat had been seen by another vessel and I have been making enquiries as to the possibility of a rescue, but I am afraid I can hold out no hope in this direction.

        I have to convey to you the sorrow of my co-Directors and myself, and to express to you our very deep and sincere sympathy.

        The date at which we presume loss is midnight the 18th March 1943.

        If I can be of any service to you whatsoever, I shall be only too glad to render such, and nothing will be too much trouble.

                                                                       

                                                                                          Believe me to be,

                                                                                                      Yours very sincerely

                                                                                                            [signed]

                                                                                                        Managing Director

 

[The "Certified Extract From a List of Crew" from the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, dated 9th March 1944, gives "Particulars of termination of Service" for Mr. John Gwilliam, year of birth 1906, as "Boat missing since February 28. 1943. Supposed Drowned"

 

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