JENWIL FD12

LORDLEIGH M134

 

As TRENT FD12

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

Official No: 114305     Port Number and Year:    4th in Fleetwood,1904 (FD12)

                                                                                     -   in Aberdeen, 1917 (A888)

                                                                                     -   in Hull, 1919 (H127)

                                                                                  43rd in London, 1925 (LO40)

                                                                                    6th in Fleetwood, 1935 (FD40)

                                                                                  10th in Milford, 1951

Description:  Steel side trawler; steam screw, coal burner. Pareja (Spanish) method.  Ketch rigged: mizzen sail.

Crew: 10 men (1919, 1928); 12 men (1951,1955).

Registered at Milford: 17 Sep 1951

Built: by Smith's Dock Co., North Shields, 1904.  (Yard no. 753)

Tonnage: 218 gross (1951: 218.14 gross); 64 net (1914: 84.41 net) 

Length / breadth / depth (feet):  121.0 / 21.65 / 11.9 (1951: 13.62)

Engine: T 3-cyl.. 65 nhp. 10 kts. Engine by Shields Engineering Co., North Shields; and boiler by P. Stephenson & Co., Hebburn on Tees.

Owners:

 

As TRENT FD12

31 Oct 1904: The 'Wyre' Steam Trawling Co., Fleetwood.

Managers: Richard C. Ward & John N. Ward, 114 Dock St., Fleetwood. (1904-1909)

                    John N. Ward, 31 St. Peter's Place, Fleetwood. (1909-1912)

                    Magnus B.J. Wedum, 114 Dock St., Fleetwood. (1912-1917)

 

As TRENT A888

18 Dec 1917: Robert Moon, 30 Ashley Rd., Aberdeen.          (32/64)

Managing owner: Joseph Moon, 16 Ashley Rd., Aberdeen.    (32/64)


11 Dec 1919: East Riding Steam Fishing Co. Ltd., St. Andrew's Dock, Hull.

Manager: Thomas Hudson. (Same address.)

15 Dec 1919: As TRENT H127.

 

1923: Charles Hudson, Hull.

Managing owner.

 

1924: Thomas Jenkerson, 'Norfolk Villa', Marble Hall, Milford.

14 Jan 1925: As JENWIL H127

6 Mar 1925: As JENWIL LO40

 

1926: Jenkerson & Jones, The Docks,  Milford.

Manager: Thomas Jenkerson, Norfolk Villa, Marble Hall, Milford.

 

18 May 1934: H. Elliott & Sons Trawlers Ltd., 12 Fish Trade Buildings, Wyre Dock, Fleetwood. 

Manager: Henry Elliott, 'Birkhall', Esplanade, Fleetwood.

7 Oct 1935: As FD40.

 

As JENWIL M134.

20 Sep 1951: Goodleigh Fisheries Ltd., The Docks, Milford

Manager: Henry John Richards, Bulford Rd., Johnston.

3 Oct 1951: As LORDLEIGH M134.

 

19 Feb 1953: W. H. Kerr (Ship Chandlers) Ltd., The Docks, Milford

Managing owner.

 

5 May 1953: South Western Trawlers Ltd., The Docks, Milford

Manager: John Charles Llewellin.

 

Landed at Milford:  As TRENT H127: 22 Nov 1924 - 4 Jan 1925.

As JENWIL H127: 12 Jan - 25 Feb 1925.

As JENWIL LO40: 9 Mar 1925 - 29 Jul 1935.

As LORDLEIGH M134: 12 Oct 1951 - 2 May 1956

Skipper: Sam Larner (1951); Robert Goldspink; Jack Byford (1951); Sam Larner (1953-55)

Notes: 

The Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor.  [Wikipedia.]

11 Feb 1906: Off Antrim coast, north-west of Rathlin Island stood by and then with steam trawler LARK (GY383) connected to Sunderland registered West Hartlepool steamer QUEEN WILHELMINA (3950g/1898) which had lost her propeller nine days previously in the Atlantic 160 miles west of Rockall while on passage Tyne – Baltimore in ballast. Commenced tow to Belfast.
12 Feb 1906: Off Tor Point, Co. Antrim, at 10.00am. steam trawler WYRE (FD196) came upon them, made fast and assisted in the towage.

Aug 1914: Requisitioned and converted to a minesweeper. (Admy. no.120). 1x6pdr. Based at  Stromness.

Mar 1917: As TRENT II.

12 Mar 1919: Returned to owners.

22 Oct 1928: Fishing 9 miles S of Old Head of Kinsale observed SIDMOUTH (M57) 5 miles to northward in distress. Hauled and closed and found trawler had broken tailshaft. At about 10.00 a.m. having connected commenced tow to Milford.  (Statement below on 20 Nov 1928.)

Cert. Cancelled & Milford Registry Closed: 26 May 1956.  Broken up at Llanelli. 

[ Information from The Bosun's Watch and the Fleetwood Maritime Heritage Trust website. ]

 Accidents and Incidents:

Writ dated 20th November 1928:

 

In the High Court of Justice Probate Divorce & Admiralty Division.

Writ issued the 23rd day of October 1928 between the Owners, Master & Crew of the steam Trawler "Jenwil", Plaintiffs; and the Owners of the steam trawler "Sidmouth" and her cargo of fish, Defendants.

Statement of claim.

1. The Plaintiffs as owners, master & crew of the steam trawler "Jenwill", claim salvage for services rendered by them to the steam trawler "Sidmouth" and her cargo of fish as hereinafter appears.

2. The "Jenwil" is a steel screw steam trawler of 218 tons gross register and fitted with engines of 65 H.P.N.  She is manned by a crew of ten hands, and her value is £4000.

3. The "Sidmouth" is a steel screw steam trawler of 220 tons gross register.

4. About 9 a.m. on the 22nd 0ctober 1928 the "Jenwil" was engaged in fishing off the Irish Coast about 9 miles to the Southward of the Old Head Of Kinsale, when those in charge of her observed a steam trawler which proved to be the "Sidmouth" flying a distress signal, consisting of a flag over a ball, about 5 miles to the Northward. The weather at the time was fine with a fresh West to West North Westerly wind and there was a heavy swell running in a North Easterly direction.  Those in charge of the "Jenwil" immediately hauled up their trawl and steamed towards the "Sidmouth" and inquired what was the matter, and the master of the "Sidmouth" replied, "We have broken our tail end shaft, will you pull us in?"

5. The master of the  "Jenwil" at once brought his vessel as close to the "Sidmouth" as was possible in the heavy swell and a line was thrown to the "Sidmouth", but those in the "Sidmouth" failed to secure it. The crew of the "Sidmouth" then succeeded in throwing a line to the  "Jenwil" and the steel wire trawl warp of the "Jenwil" was made fast to the line, and was hauled on board the  “ Sidmouth".  There it was shackled on to the chain cable of the "Sidmouth".  About 15 fathoms of chain cable were then paid out and the trawl warp of the" Sidmouth" was secured to the end of the cable.

6.  At about 10 a.m. when all the warps had been made fast, the towage commenced and a course was set for Milford.  About noon, the "Jenwil" stopped towing and stood by for three quarters of an hour while those in the "Sidmouth" secured their propeller.  The towage was then resumed and continued without further incident until 6.30a.m. on the 23rd October when the "Jenwil" and her tow arrived in Milford Harbour.  The two vessels were compelled to lay to in the harbour to wait for the tide and the "Sidmouth" was lashed  alongside the "Jenwil" for entering Milford Dock.  Meanwhile the wind had risen and was now blowing hard, and the "Jenwil" had great difficulty in getting the  “Sidmouth" into dock in the high wind.  While coming into dock, the lashings between the two vessels parted, but were quickly replaced by the warps of the "Jenwil", and at about noon the "Sidmouth" was moored in a place of safety and the services of the "Jenwil" terminated.

7. By reason of the said services, which were promptly and skilfully rendered, the  "Sidmouth" and her cargo of fish were rescued from a position of great peril and taken into a place of safety. The "Sidmouth" was lying helpless without any means of propulsion in the open sea close to an extremely rocky and dangerous coast. She was being rapidly driven by wind and swell and tide onto the shore, where she would have become a total loss and even if she had been able to anchor, she could not have held on in the stormy weather which came on the 23rd October.

8. In rendering the said services the  "Jenwil" ran considerable risk of collision and straining her engines and hull, and of getting the tow rope foul of her propeller and of herself becoming disabled. In rendering the said services the "Jenwil" lost 3 days fishing, her warp was strained and expenses were incurred amounting to £28.11. 3.

 

    The Plaintiffs claim such an amount of salvage as may be just.

Alfred Bucknill.

Delivered this 20thday of November 1928, by Pritchard & Sons of 2,3, & 4 Billiter Ave., London. Agents for Eaton Evans & Williams, Milford Haven. Solicitors for the Plaintiffs.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 From an unknown local newspaper dated c. 8th August 1935:

 

    A quick deal was effected last week [which] meant the loss of the steam trawler  "Jenwil" to the port of Milford Haven, and the consequent gain to the rival fishing port of Fleetwood.  The vessel was one of the fleet of trawlers owned by Messrs. Thomas Jenkerson & Sons.  The new owners are Messrs. Elliot of Fleetwood. The  "Jenwil" sailed from Milford to her new port the day following the completion of the sale.

    The  "Jenwil" had been for some years one of the most successful in the mixed fishing class, (crabbing) out of Milford, and under present conditions will be a real loss to the fishing port.

 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 21st September 1951:

 

    Goodleigh Fisheries Ltd. are adding another pair to their fleet. They have purchased from Fleetwood the trawler Jenwil, which was at one time owned by Messrs. Jenkerson and Jones, and are pairing her with the Berenga, bought from United Trawlers.  The firm has also purchased the steam trawler Norrard from United Trawlers, to be used as a reserve ship for the pairs so that it can replace without delay any ship among the pairs coming out of commission for repairs or overhaul.  The Jenwil and Berenga are expected to sail within a week or two.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 28th September 1951:

 

    Messrs. J. C. Llewellin (Trawlers) Ltd. have broken new ground in adopting Pembrokeshire names for the two trawlers they recently purchased from Holland, the Nolton and Steynton, which sail next week in charge of Skippers J. Garnham and Tom Smith.

    Pembrokeshire names for trawlers are not unique at Milford, but they become so familiar that vessels like the Caldy and Slebech, and the former Thornton, are not connected immediately with the Premier County.

    Another pair, the Springleigh and the Lordleigh (Messrs. Goodleigh Fisheries) leave on their maiden voyage this weekend, in charge of Skippers George Corney and Jack Byford.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 20th February 1953:

 

    Good news this week was the announcement that two well-known local owners, Mr. J. C. Llewellin, Vice-President of the T.O.A., and Mr. W. H. Kerr, had bought six of the trawlers belonging to Goodleigh Fisheries, which firm has gone into liquidation.  The six trawlers were fished as pairs, and when they were stopped some months ago, not only were hake supplies affected, but some 75 fishermen were thrown out of work.  Two of the ships, the Queenleigh and Lordleigh, are now being prepared for sea and will sail shortly under Skippers Denley Broome and Sam Larner.

    .....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

L to R, back row: Deckhand Bernard Tierney, Fireman George Downing, Deckhands W.G. James, Leo Donoghue, Fireman R. James

Front row: 3rd Hand W.J.C. Shenfield, Bosun Charlie Griffiths, Mate Cecil Morgans, Skipper Sam Larner, Ch.Eng. Ted Howlett, Cook Michael Zatac, 2nd Eng. Ronnie Evans

From an original photograph in the Les Jones Archive, taken for the West Wales Guardian of Friday 18th February 1955

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 13th May 1955:

 

    Although no confirmation was forthcoming from the owners, Messrs. J. C. Llewellin, on Thursday, it is hoped that the pair trawlers Queenleigh and Lordleigh will shortly sail on another trip to the fishing grounds in search of big hake.  The results of their two other trial voyages were very disappointing.

    ......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From The West Wales Guardian of Friday 23rd December 1955:

 

TRAWLERS WILL RUN "SHUTTLE" SERVICE

THREE SHIPS IN FRESHER-FISH SCHEME

    Six  Milford Haven "pair" trawlers will commence operating in two groups of three in January to provide a "shuttle" service which will mean that their catches will never be more than nine days old when landed.

    The vessels are "Strath" class boats, owned by Messrs. J. C. Llewellin (Trawlers) Ltd., and up till now engaged in the normal "pair" fishing, using the Spanish "pareja" system.

    The "group of three" system has been used very successfully by Spanish fishing vessels, but the Milford Haven scheme will be the first time it has been introduced in Britain.

    ...........

    The ships which will operate in threes are the Queenleigh, Lordleigh, Steynton, Nolton, Lord Northcliffe, and Lord Cecil.

    Mr. J. C. Llewellin explained to the "Guardian" this week how the "groups of three" system will work.  The first two ships will go out to fish as a normal "pair".  A week later a third boat will sail to "relieve" one of the original pair, to which all the fish then caught by the "pair" will be transferred.  The relieved ship will bring the total catch back to port and the other two ships will continue fishing until the second vessel is relieved a week later by the ship that originally returned to port.  By this method catches which up to now have been landed after a 14 to 15 day "pair" trip will now be brought back every week by the third trawler.

....

    In practice, as far as the crews are concerned, the "groups of three" system will mean a minimum of three days ashore every 17 to 18 days.

...........

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From The West Wales Guardian of Friday 11th May 1956:

 

        THE END OF "PAIR" TRAWLING

          MILFORD COMPANY CLOSES DOWN

    Already in the "doldrums" following bad news from several quarters the Milford Haven fishing industry suffered another severe blow on Saturday when mt J. C. Llewellin announced with regret that he was winding up his business of J. C. Llewellin (Trawlers) Ltd. and scrapping his seven remaining "Strath" class vessels.

    This decision, made after twelve months of deterioration in the situation, means that seventy fishermen and about twenty maintenance and office staff will be affected.  It also means the end of the "pair" method of fishing carried out at Milford Haven for 21 years by the firm, which is the only company in Britain to use this system.

    As we reported last week the trawlers Shielburn and Lord Cecil go for scrap this week.

    "There is very little doubt that the others, the Lord Northcliffe, Queenleigh, Lordleigh, Steynton and Nolton will have to follow," stated Mr. Llewellin.

...........

    Mr. J. C. Llewellin told the "Guardian" that it was with regret that the decision to finish had been made.  "During the last 12 months the pair ships have brought in very small quantities of hake, and it is only the high prices that has enabled us to keep going," he said.  "The main reasons are the shortage of hake and the high costs of running the ships."

    Mr. Llewellin had no doubt about the reason for the shortage of hake.  "It is the tremendous number of Spanish ships operating in grounds which are traditionally British," he stressed.  "Years ago Milford trawlers sailed as far south as Morocco into grounds which the Spanish ships have since swept bare.  Now the pendulum has swung the other way and the Spaniards are sweeping clean the British grounds up as far north as Achill Head and Hebrides.

..............  Many Spanish trawlers use net meshes which are considerably smaller than the size laid down by international agreement.  The Spanish also have a demand for undersized hake and they have swept the grounds bare.  There is absolutely no hake there for British ships which are not allowed to land undersized fish and observe the Convention agreements to the letter. ............. ."

     

 

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