SHAMA

SHAMA M223

As A246

John Stevenson Collection

Official No:  139325    Port Number and Year: 14th in Hull, 1918 (H641)
                                                                                   1st in Milford, 1937
                                                                                   -    in Aberdeen, 1946 (A246)

Description: Steel side trawler; steam screw, coal burning.   Ketch rigged: foresail and mizzen.

Crew: 9 men (1919); 10 men (1929).

Registered at Milford: 11 Jan 1937

Built: 1918 by Goole Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Goole. (Yard no. 183)

Tonnage: 191.05 grt 72 net.

Length / breadth / depth (feet): 110.2 / 21.6 / 12.0

Engine: T 3-Cyl. 55 rhp.9.5 kts. Engine and boiler by Earle's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Hull

Owners:

As H641

3 Apr 1918: Kelsall Bros. & Beeching, Ltd., St. Andrew's Docks, Hull.

Managers: George Beeching, 114 Westbourne Ave., Hull; &                                             ) (1918-

                  James E.A. Kellsall, Donegal House, Love Lane, Billingsgate, London EC3. ) 1919)

                  John Slater, 7 East India Ave., London EC3 (1919-1927)

                  Robert Burton, St. Andrew's Docks, Hull (1928-c.30)

                  Charles H. Emerson, St. Andrew's Docks, Hull (c.1931-36)



As M223

11 Jan 1937: Mark Mansfield Robson, 'Devon Hotel', Charles St., Milford.

Edwin King, 1 Charles St., Milford.

Constance G. Richards, 'Bramhall', Hamilton Tce., Milford.

Managing owner: Herman Westenborg, 21 Hamilton Tce., Milford.

5 Oct 1939: Herman Westenborg, 'Westhaven', The Rath, Milford.

Mark Mansfield Robson, 'Devon Hotel', Charles St., Milford.

Manager: H. Westenborg.

5 Dec 1940: Westenborg Trawlers, 'Westhaven' The Rath, Milford.

Manager: H. Westenborg

2 Dec 1942: Wyre Steam Trawling Co. Ltd., 144 Docks St., Fleetwood

Manager: J. N. Ward & Son.

4 Apr 1945: Pair Fishing Co. Ltd., Docks, Milford.

Manager: Henry John Richards.

As A246

5 Dec 1946: George Jappy, 30 Anfield Tce., Aberdeen (22/64)

Alexander Malcolm Morrice, 27 King's Gate, Aberdeen (21/64)

William P. Clark, 89 Queen's Rd., Aberdeen (21/64)

1948: William P. Clarke, 89 Queen's Rd., Aberdeen.

1952: Malcolm Smith (managing owner) & George Jappy, Aberdeen.

Landed at Milford:
(H646) 2 Dec 1936 - 5 Jan 1937.
(M223) 12 Jan 1937 - 20 Nov 1940; 22 Jan, 21 Dec 1941; 8 May 1942 - 3 Feb 1943; 3 Apr 1945 - 7 Feb 1946

Skippers: J. King 1937

Notes:
Shama is an Arabic word meaning "a good woman".
Apr 1918: Requisitioned and converted for minesweeping duties; 1x12 pdr. (Admy. no. 3083). Based at Dover.
12 Mar 1919: Returned to owners.
8 Jan 1937: Hull registry closed.
15 Apr 1937: Pair fishing with TRUMPETER. (Until 20 Oct 1938)
6 Oct 1938: At anchor in Dale Bay, struck by RUDILAIS (M50) causing some damage.
Jan 1941: Requisitioned for miscellaneous naval duties.
Jan 1942: Returned to owners.
23 Oct 1945: Pair fishing with TRUMPETER. (Until 7 Feb 1946.)
1954: Sold for breaking up.
[Additional information thanks to Fleetwood Maritime Heritage Trust and The Bosun's Watch.]

Cert. Cancelled & Milford Registry Closed: 12 Dec 1946. Transferred to the port of Aberdeen.

Accidents and Incidents

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 9th April 1937:

     The Milford trawlers Shama (H. Westenborg) and Trumpeter (W. Wilcox) left port on Wednesday to begin an experiment which may have a far-reaching effect on local fishing. These two trawlers, sister ships, were purchased from Hull last Christmas, and being alike in size and power it was though that the Spanish fishing methods might be experimented with successfully. The Spanish trawlers, which work in pairs, have made some remarkable hake catches, and the results obtained by the local trawlers are awaited with interest.

    Skipper Bert Foster, with mate W. Nightingale, are in charge of the Trumpeter, and Skipper J. King, with mate Arthur Phillips, of the Shama. Several Spanish fishermen are included in the crews of the two vessels, which are expected to return in about twelve days.

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

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 16th April 1937:

    Trumpeter and Shama had on board 220 kits of fish, mostly hake, and the trip grossed £550, a splendid figure for a ten day voyage. The boats made only six hauls. In one haul last Saturday, the Trumpeter brought in 150 baskets (about 60 kit), while another Milford trawler fishing alongside had only five baskets for the same period.

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

From the West Wales Guardian of Friday 15th February 1946:

   As a direct sequel to the dispute between the Skippers and Mates Section of the T.&G.W.U and the owners of pair fishing trawlers over the employment of Spanish Fishing Masters, the Spanish method of pareja-fishing has ceased at Milford.

    The "Charmouth" and "Grackle" have already been converted to fish solo, while the "Trumpeter" and "Shama", the other boats belonging to the Pair Fishing Co., will be converted later this month. The Don Trawler Company's "Tanager" and "Grosbeak" are also coming in for alterations pending their return to fishing singly.

    It will be remembered that the skippers and mates claimed that demobilised local skippers should be put in as masters instead of the Spanish uncertificated fishermen holding the berths, one on each trawler in addition to a normal skipper. The owners claimed that the Spaniards were indispensable, and that if the Union persisted, they would either move their boats to another port, or convert them to fish singly. There was a deadlock for a few weeks, and as the skippers and mates were adamant, the trawlers are being converted, but will not leave the port.

    Taking another step in their new policy of fishing with single boats, the Pair Fishing Company has purchased the Castle boat "John Lister" from the Iago Trawling Company of Fleetwood, with which Capt. E. D. W. Lawford is associated. She will be at Milford early next month, and Skipper Reggie High will be in charge of her.

    The "Charmouth" has been taken out on her first solo trip by Skipper Jack Garnham.

    .............



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