COMMODORE GN31
Official No: 97551 Port Number and Year: 1st in Granton, 1890 (GN31)
- in Aberdeen, 1900 (A287)
Description: Steam screw; side trawler.
Crew:
Built: by Hawthorns & Co., Leith; in 1890 (Yard no. 39)
Tonnage: 126 grt 37 net
Length / breadth / depth (feet): 100.8 / 20.0 / 9.6
Engine: C.2-Cyl; 48 hp; by builders
Owners:
As COMMODORE GN31
9 Jul 1890: Thomas L Devlin (Jnr.), Granton.
Dec 1890: Robert S Brocklebank, 58 Thurlestone Rd., West Norwood, Surrey.
Managing owner.
1891: Newbon & Brocklebank, Milford.
1894: John McPherson (jun.), 27 Hayswell Rd., Arbroath.
Managing owner.
As HOPE A287
22 Sep 1900: Peter Johnstone (Fish salesman), 164 Market St., Aberdeen.
Managing owner.
1904: Charles Robertson & James Leiper, Aberdeen.
1906: James Leiper, 110 Abbey Rd., Torry, Aberdeen; & George Wood, Aberdeen.
Manager: David Sherrit, 345 Great Western Rd., Aberdeen.
1910: Douglas H. Bookless, Albert Quay, Aberdeen.
Managing owner.
27 Aug 1912: Dutch owners.
Landed at Milford: 4 Jan 1891 - 28 Jan 1894
Skippers: 1891: Leadenbough; James S. Gray; J. Chamberlain
1892: Chamberlain; Farren; Flursley
1893: Flursley; G. Smart; George Cook; Smart
1894: Smart; W.R. Saunders
Notes:
23 Jan 1891: Assisted HER MAJESTY off the Saltees. [See story below.]
Accidents and Incidents:
From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph of Wednesday 15th June 1892:
Local SaLvage Claim
His Honour Judge Bishop, assisted by Captain Dodds, R.N., and Captain Lecky, marine superintendent, Neyland, as nautical assessors, sat at the Shire Hall, Haverfordwest on Saturday, for the purpose of hearing a salvage action, in which the plaintiffs, the owners and crew of the steam trawler "Commodore", sought to recover £300 from Messrs Wolfe & Company, fish trawl owners, Milford Haven, for salvage services rendered to the trawler "Her Majesty", on the 23rd of January last, off the Saltees Lightship on the south coast of Ireland.
Mr. Arthur Lewis, barrister, instructed by Mr W. J. Jones, appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Andrew M. Jackson, solicitor, Hull, for the defendants.
According to the evidence for the plaintiffs, the steam trawlers "'Commodore" and "Her Majesty"' were fishing about five miles off the Saltees on the afternoon of the 23rd of January, when the skipper of the "Commodore" was hailed by the captain of "Her Majesty", who exhibited what was called "flare lights" for the purpose of showing that he required assistance. The "Commodore" having come within speaking distance, the skipper of "Her Majesty" told him that the packing of the blow-off cock of the latter's engine had gone wrong, and asked the "Commodore" to take her in tow, and if the defect to the blow-off cock could not be put right, then the "Commodore" was to tow her to Milford. The "Commodore" was accordingly made fast to "Her Majesty", but the engines of the latter being put right after an interval of four or five hours, the "Commodore" cast off and each vessel resumed fishing. The plaintiffs also contended that at the time "Her Majesty" was taken in tow by the "Commodore" she was dragging her anchor and driving before a stiff wind which would eventually have driven her ashore.
The defendants on their part denied this, and alleged the existence of a bargain. They said that when the "Commodore" came within distance, the captain of "Her Majesty" shouted "The packing of our blow-off cock is gone wrong, and I will give you £20 to stand by me until I get right". The captain of the "Commodore" said, "All right", and immediately made a rope fast to "Her Majesty". The defendants were [uncertain] as to the time the plaintiff's steamer stood by them, the only disputed point being whether or not there was an agreement to do the work for £20.
After a protracted hearing, the judge said the first thing for the court to decide was whether "Her Majesty" was in danger at the time the "Commodore" came up to her. The learned assessors with him were of opinion that the captain of "Her Majesty" thought himself in danger when he signalled the "Commodore". The second question was, was there any agreement for £20? Both sides appeared equally sure in giving their evidence on this point, and the court, while prepared to think they had spoken truthfully, were not satisfied that the agreement had been proved to have been offered on the one side and accepted on the other, therefore it came to this: that no agreement could be come to without mutual assent, and in this case there was not sufficient evidence to satisfy the court that an agreement did exist. That being so the next matter was, what was a sufficient sum to award the plaintiff. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the court was of opinion that £50 was sufficient remuneration for the service rendered by the "Commodore". Judgment, with costs on the lower scale, accordingly.
Judgement, with costs on the lower scale, accordingly
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From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph of Wednesday 15th June 1892:
On Thursday last, the 9th instant, the trial trip of the new steam trawler "Westward Ho", built by Messrs T. R. Oswald & Co., Limited, of this port, took place in the Haven. Mr. Arthur Oswald, and Messrs Newbon & Brocklebank, the owners, were on board, with a party of friends. She made two runs, down and up the Haven, in both of which her speed proved satisfactory, and then proceeded to sea for a trip around the islands. Captain Chamberlain will have charge of her, and Mr. George Walker will be chief engineer. The general opinion seems to be that she is one of the best steam trawlers that have entered this port. During her passage home Messrs Newbon & Brocklebank presented to Captain Chamberlain a handsome gold keyless watch in recognition of his services while in command of their steam trawler "Commodore".
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