LAUREL H16
Official No: 93106 Port Number and Year: 15th in Hull, 1887
Description: Wooden side / beam trawler, steam, coal fired, single screw; ketch rigged.
Crew:
Built: 1887, by E. Martin & Co., Pondsharden, Falmouth.
Tonnage: 102 grt 26 net.
Length / breadth / depth (feet): 95.8 / 21.0 / 10.8
Engine: C.2-Cyl., 40 nhp.; by Cox & Co., Falmouth
Owners:
30 Mar 1887: Joseph Potter, 275 St. George's Road, Hull
Charles Buttery, Hull.
14 Nov 1892: William Wolfe, Docks, Milford.
Managing owner.
Landed at Milford: 15 Jan 1890 - 25 Mar 1896
Skippers: 1890: Garnett
1891: Garnett; Garnham; Owens; Grant
1892: Garnett; Jennings; Pettit
1893: Pettit; Dan McCarthy; Farren; Watson
1894: Stroud; Belton; Wolfe; Belton; Pettit; Howe; Greenside; Gray
1895: Greenside; Walker, Wolfe; Nightingale.
Notes:
29 Nov 1890: Collided with IANTHE off Milford Haven. [See 1891 article below.]
29 Mar 1895: Went ashore near Kilkeel, Co.Down.
29 Mar 1896: Foundered off the Saltees, Co. Wexford, and Hull registry closed on 17 Apr 1896. [See newspaper reports below.]
[Thanks to Gil Mayes and Ian Wilson for confirming the two incidents.]
Accidents and Incidents
From the Aberdeen Weekly Journal of Tuesday, June 3rd 1890; Issue 11022.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
CASUALTIES
(From Lloyd's ― Monday)
The steam trawler Laurel, of Hull, arrived at Milford Haven, having lost three blades of her propeller through contact with a trawl.
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From the Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser of Friday 27th March 1891:
OWNERS OF IANTHE V. OWNERS OF LAUREL.— On Friday, the 20th inst., in the Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, Sir Charles P. Butt, the president, assisted by Trinity masters, disposed of an action for damages arising out of a collision between the steamship 'Ianthe' -which trades between Aberayron and Bristol and the steam trawler 'Laurel,' off the entrance to Milford Haven, on the 29th of November last. The defence was that the plaintiffs' vessel, the 'Ianthe,' neglected to keep clear of the 'Laurel,' their owners counter claimed far the damage she sustained through the collision. Mr Myburgle, Q.C., Mr E. A. Nelson, and Mr Bulter Aspinall appeared for the plaintiffs, and Sir Charles Hall, Q.C., and Mr J. P. Aspinall for the defendants. The Court, after hearing the evidence, held both vessels to blame.
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The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser of Friday 29th May 1891:
MILFORD HAVEN
...............
FATAL ACCIDENT:- An inquest was held by Mr Jas. Price, coroner, (who we are glad to state has recovered his wonted health,) at the Globe Hotel on Tuesday, relative to the death of George Kitchen, one of the crew of the steam trawler 'Laurel'. The evidence showed that the trawler was fishing off the Smalls on Sunday evening, and deceased was assisting in shooting the trawl. A shout was heard, and deceased was seen in the water, having overbalanced himself and fallen overboard without being observed by his shipmates. A boat was lowered, and deceased, who was kept afloat by his overcoat, was picked up insensible. Efforts were made to restore animation, but they were not successful. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.
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From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph, Wednesday 27th September 1893:
Death of a Skipper.― Death has taken from our midst a very familiar face in the person of Dan McCarthy, who was, until recently, captain of the "Laurel", belonging to Mr. W. Wolfe. The deceased was only 24 years age, but notwithstanding his comparative youth possessed remarkable nautical abilities, which he displayed in his capacity as captain. Lately, however, he had been ailing, and after a brief illness, died last week. ...........
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From The Belfast News-Letter, Monday 1st April 1895, p.6:
SHIPPING CASUALTY AT KILKEEL.- On the night of the 29th ult., the steam trawler Laurel, of Hull (Captain Walker), and trading for Messrs. Wolfe & Co., of Milford, became disabled off the coast at Kilkeel during the gale and the thick weather which prevailed, and went ashore at Derryogue, one mile from the town. The crew had a very narrow escape, the place being rockbound, but fortunately it was high tide and the steamer was carried right over them. Three of the crew took to the small boat when she struck, with a leading line from the steamer. Having but one oar, as the other got broken, the seamen made a successful attempt in the darkness to reach the shore, where they soon obtained assistance, and with the aid of fishermen and a skiff they returned to the steamer and landed the crew of nine hands. It is considered doubtful if the steamer can be got off. She is wooden-built, and should the wind veer around to the southerly nothing can save her from destruction as she at present lies.
From The Newcastle Weekly Courant, Saturday, April 6th 1895:
GENERAL NEWS
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During a strong gale off County Down coast, the Hull steam trawler Laurel (Captain Walker) has been wrecked on the rock-bound coast, a mile from Kilkeel. Three of the crew, after much difficulty, effected a landing in a small boat, and a line having been made fast, the captain and eight other seamen with much difficulty got ashore.
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From the Liverpool Mercury, Tuesday, March 31st 1896:
SHIPPING
WRECKS AND CASUALTIES
Milfordhaven [sic], March 30 ― Steam trawler Laurel foundered off Saltees; stern tubes gave out. Crew landed at Waterford.
From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph, Wednesday 1st April 1896:
LOSS OF THE "LAUREL". ― The steam trawler "Laurel", belonging to Mr. W. Wolfe, whilst fishing off the Saltees Islands on Sunday afternoon, filled and sank, owing, it is believed, to the stern tube giving out. The crew took to the boat, and was picked up by the steam trawler "Lark", who landed them at Waterford. They returned to Milford on Tuesday.
From Bridget and Richard Larn (2002): Shipwreck Index of the British Isles Vol 6 - All Ireland :
LAUREL 30/03/1896
C0.Wexford, Saltee Islands, offshore. 52.04N 06.38W
Voyage: Milford Haven - Fishing grounds.
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Stranded and lost in wind condition NW x N force 2
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