LOCH AWE M166
Official No: 129332 Port Number and Year: 21st in Aberdeen,1909 (A274)
1st in Milford 1943
Description: Steel side trawler; steam screw, coal burner. Ketch rigged: mizzen sail.
Crew: 9 men (1909); 11 men (1943; see newspaper article below.)
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 / 12.2
Engine: T 3-cyl.. 76 rhp. 10 kts. Engine and boiler by builders.
Owners:
As A274
28 Jul 1909: The Loch Line Steam Trawling & Fishing Co. Ltd., 164 Market St., Aberdeen.
Manager: Harry A. Holmes, Albert Quay, Aberdeen.
1928: Alexander A. Davidson, Commercial Quay, Aberdeen.
Managing owner.
As M166
29 Jan 1943: Milford Fisheries Ltd., The Docks, Milford.
Manager: Owen Willie Limbrick, Pill Lane, Pill, Milford.
Landed at Milford: 3, 7, 21 Feb 1943
Skipper: Robert Goldspink
Notes:
Apr 1915: Requisitioned and converted to a minesweeper. (Admy. no.1341) 1x6 pdr. (Sweeping out of Milford from 21 May 1915 - 18 Dec 1918. Landed on 74 occasions.)
1919: Returned to owners.
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"]
From R. &. B. Larn (2000): Shipwreck Index of the British Isles - West Coast and Wales:
LOCH AWE 28/02/1943
Isle of Man, Chicken Rock, offshore 54N 04.50W
.........
Reposted in Lloyd's Casualty Return as 'missing.' Vessel no. A-274 [sic] (MS-15, 1919) left Milford Haven on 24.02, was seen off Morecombe Bay and then Chicken Rock on 28.02, and not since heard of.
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