Milford Fishing Smacks, 1869-1971
(Over 15 g.r.t.)
SUSAN ANN DH50 and MUMBLES M1 (10 grt) at Tenby, c. 1885
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales
Milford was never an important port for the registration of fishing smacks, compared to ports like Brixham, Ramsgate and Yarmouth. The history of sailing trawlers and other fishing vessels in South West Wales up to the 1890s is essentially that of Tenby. In 1328, Edward III gave the town the right to levy dues to pay for the building of a curved pier to protect local craft from NE winds, and George Owen (1552-1613), in his Description of Pembrokeshire, referred to Tenby’s daily fish market (1603). In 1842, the old pier was replaced by a straight one, and the extension of the railway to the town in 1866 enabled regular sales of fish to the industrial valleys of South Wales.
Local catches ranged from herring to oysters, and up to the 1600s the favourite fishing ground for local boats was Will’s March, ten miles S by E of Caldy. Up to the end of the 1890s most fishing from the port took place in Carmarthen Bay, from Worms Head on the Gower, to St.Govan’s Head, and across to Lundy Island. However, fishing was never on a large enough scale to produce great wealth in the town, and a great deal of the industry was in the hands of Brixham fishermen, who usually based themselves in the port during the summer months, although many of them settled in Tenby. The fishing season lasted from April to September, when the Brixham boats left and the Tenby boats were laid up for the winter.
In 1891, there were nineteen trawlers of up to 50 grt based in Tenby; sixteen cutter-rigged, and three ketches. In addition, there were forty-nine smaller luggers between 15 to 25 feet in length, engaged in fishing, oyster dredging and net fishing. However, in the same decade, fishing from Tenby declined, as the town grew in importance as a holiday resort, while Milford steam trawlers came to dominate the fishing industry in South West Wales, and eventually in the whole of South Wales and the Bristol Channel. In 1896, only 32.59 tons of fish were landed in Tenby , and by 1914 this had declined to a meagre 7.9 tons. In 1904, sixty-six steam trawlers and one hundred and fifty smacks were fishing out of Milford.
Fishing vessels under sail are usually referred to as smacks. They were of several types, differing in their rig and their mode of fishing.
The oldest rig still current in the Nineteenth Century was the cutter, which had one mast, with a jib or foresail, and a topsail. As smacks grew larger, the only way to increase the area of the mainsail was to lengthen the boom, which made it more difficult to handle. Many cutters (such as the WILLIE / M 75) were converted to ketch rig, which had two masts, increasing the total sail area by the addition of a mizzen, but with each sail smaller than the cutter’s mainsail. The majority of the Milford-registered smacks in the period covered in the list below were ketch rigged. A variation of the ketch is the dandy rig, with the mizzen mast right aft, carrying a smaller sail than the ketch mizzen sail. Another older rig was the lugger, which usually had two masts, carrying square sails; only the MOSS ROSE / M218, is representative of this type. Many smacks were fitted with an auxiliary motor, especially in the early years of the Twentieth Century. Most Milford-registered smacks were engaged in trawling, usually with a beam trawl, a bottom fishing trawl net, used mainly for catching flatfish with the headrope attached to a beam towed along the bottom on runners at either end.
In the register, vessels are classified into three classes. Only those in the first class, usually of over 15 gross tons, are included in this list. Most have Official Numbers; where these were not allocated, this is indicated by - ; where the allocation of an ON is uncertain, this is indicated by ? . Unless stated otherwise, owners can be assumed to have been living in Milford or Hakin. Most were crewed by two or three men and a boy.
The list below is provisional; it is hoped that more vessels from the earlier years will eventually be added.
Key to type of rig:
Key to mode of fishing:
C Cutter rig (mainsail, topsail, foresail & jib)
Cr Crabbing
Da Dandy rig
D Drift nets
K Ketch rig
L Lines
Lu Lugger
O Oyster
M Auxiliary Motor installed
P Lobster pots
T Trawling
Other abbreviations:
< formerly
BU broken up
> became
Xf transferred to
Names in GREEN are linked to technical and historical data; those in BLUE also include details of "Accidents and Incidents" or "Losses", while those in RED include one or more photographs. Unless otherwise stated, transcriptions are from the Les Jones Archive.
Name |
Type/ Mode |
ON/ Register No. (M ~ ) |
Built/grt (Or nt) |
On Register |
Owners and Fate |
K/T |
93438 / 26 |
1890/23 nt |
1890-1915 |
G.Rowe, Tenby. Lost 06.12.1915 |
|
KM/T |
137769 / 25 |
1924/64.84 |
1924-30 |
Hancock & Sons. Engine installed 1929. Foundered Bantry Bay 28.03.30; 6 men lost |
|
M/T |
128758/ 119 |
1911/57.19 |
1911-17 |
Rouse Bros., Llanstadwell > RL Hancock (1914). Sunk by enemy submarine, Eng.Channel, 21.03.17 |
|
K?/T |
137767 / 205 |
1920/54.87 |
1921-23 |
PL Hancock. Foundered Rosslare 03.03.23 |
|
KM/T |
137768 / 258 |
1923/60.77 |
1923-33 |
Hancock & Sons. Sold for conversion to pleasure yacht under Ecuadorean flag, 15.01.33 |
|
KM/T |
137771 / 77 |
1926/65 |
1926-30 |
Hancock & Sons. Caught fire and sank off Dunmore, E.Waterford, 24.07.30 |
|
K/T |
110807 / 45 |
1899/58.33 |
1925-33 |
PL Hancock > Hancock & Sons (1925) No longer fishing 14.11.33 (BU 10.03.53) |
|
C/T |
67782? / 19 |
1875?/27 |
1877-1899 |
(<Dublin?) G.Nicholas & W.Pedwell, Tenby (1877) > Edw.Wales, Milford (1891). Ceased fishing 08.11.1899 |
|
K/T |
- / 88 |
1910/81.72 |
1920 |
PL Hancock. Converted into a lighter 11.03.20 |
|
C/T |
15530 / 4 |
1848 /19 |
1869-99 |
D.Jones, Tenby |
|
LoM/TL |
132517 / 156 |
1913/21 |
1928-31 |
WC Whittow > CH Whittow & TP Whittow (1931). Sold to Dutch 31.12.31 |
|
K/T |
114243 / 27 |
1903/53 |
1909-17 |
J Phillips (P Hancock, Mgr.). Sold to French 05.12.17 |
|
K/T |
71870 / 180 |
1875/43.7 |
1903-16 |
J.J.Smith, Tenby. BU 12.04.10 |
|
K/T |
128751 / 83 |
1911/54.06 |
1911-19 |
Wm.Farrow > EJ Hellings (1918) Xf. Lowestoft 11.06.19 |
|
K/T |
78324 / 9 |
1899/40 |
1899 |
PL Hancock. Sank after collision 18 m E of Lundy 22.04.1899 |
|
C/T |
68344 / 3 |
1875 / 32 |
1877-1901 |
D.Jones & FH Fishwick, Tenby. Ceased fishing 19.12.01 |
|
C/T |
? / 111 |
1889/26.51 |
1917-18 |
Keane, Thomas & Blockwell. Xf.Grimsby =GLEANING 23.01.19 |
|
C/T |
65024 / 11 |
1873/34 |
1874-95 |
D.Jones & D Davies, Tenby. Ceased fishing 21.01.1895 |
|
Da/T |
119391/ 118 |
1905/38.49 |
1911-15 |
TI Jenkerson. Xf. Lowestoft (1911) Xf.Ramsgate (1913). Milford Registry closed 14.05.15 |
|
K/T |
109298/ 233 |
1898/51.11 |
1913-15 |
(< BM34) HM Rowse > J McDonald (J Thomas, Mgr.) (1913) Wrecked 12.11.15 |
|
C/T |
14670 / 5 |
1854/48 |
1881-1911 |
S Kingdom, Tenby > M.Lewis & C.Ware, Tenby =M2 (1885) > WH Ware, Tenby (1888) BU 19.09.1911 |
|
K/T |
128770 / 20 |
1914/56.64 |
1915-18 |
Davies, Morgan & Bishop (TG Bishop, Mgr.), Fishguard. Sunk by UB-55 29.01.18 |
|
KM/T |
121619 / 209 |
1907/36.2 |
1907-28 |
JJ Smith, Tenby Converted to yacht, Xf. Scarboro 01.05.28 |
|
C/TL |
- / 172 |
? /26.16 |
1918-24 |
C.Faulkner & JK Scott, Burry Port. Xf.Lowestoft 18.06.24 |
|
K/T |
104114 / 113 |
1894/42.84 |
1894-19 |
T.H.Lillycrop, Tenby > GP Francis, Pembroke Dock (1907). BU Pembroke Dock 14.05.19 |
|
C/T |
27632 / 7 |
? /33 |
1882-91 |
(<Plymouth) D Jones & T Prior, Tenby. Foundered 07.05.91. |
|
C/TL |
- / 115 |
? /16 |
1895-1904 |
Wm. Taylor > Millie Jones (1903). BU 12.01.1904. |
|
C/POCr |
- / 172 |
1870/16.68 |
1902-06 |
Jas. Way,Tenby. Registry closed 28.04.06 |
|
K/T |
128757 / 105 |
1911/56.67 |
1911-20 |
Morgan, Davies & Bishop, Fishguard. Xf.Lowestoft 27.07.20 |
|
C/TL |
20376 / 23 |
? /23 nt |
1889-90 |
(<L’ELAN, Dublin)T, D & W.Jenkins, Broad Haven. Registry closed 30.12.1890 |
|
KM/TLCP |
- / 136 |
1905/19 |
1917-23 |
Gwyneth STC > RS Longthorpe & A Nicholls. Xf.Brixham 26.06.23 =GENESTA BM162 |
|
K/T |
128765 / 237 |
1913/51.01 |
1913-19 |
Wm. Farrow > EJ Hellings (1918). Xf.Lowestoft 28.04.19 |
|
LuM/TLP |
/ 218 |
1887/17.12 |
1965-71 |
D.Krelle, Marloes > S.C.R.Wonnacott & Wm.McGovern, Hakin (1969). Xf.Swansea 11.03.71 |
|
K/T |
108431 / 144 |
1898/45 |
1898-1901 |
PL Hancock. Xf.Lowestoft 26.01.0901 |
|
K/T |
65488 / 150 |
1871/46.02 |
1899-1906 |
J.J.Smith, Tenby. BU 06.12.1906 |
|
C/TL |
/ 30 |
/15 |
1890-91 |
Maj. H.Lancelyn Green, Tenby |
|
C/T |
98373 / 74 |
1891 / |
1891-96 |
(<Ramsgate) Ernest William Hart Peel, Tenby. Xf.Ramsgate 11.12.96 |
|
K/T |
137761 / 25 |
1915/59.48 |
1915-17 |
Misses Harries, Letterston, & B Davies Johns, Fishguard. Sunk by UC-48 16.03.17 |
|
C/T |
52992 / 6 |
1866/19.52 |
1904-1909 |
James B.Rowlands > Watkins & Saies (1906) > SI Hancock (1909). Wrecked Fishguard 13.7.09 |
|
C/T |
29563 / 8 |
1869/23 |
1869-90 |
Wm Francis, Tenby. BU 06.02.1890 |
|
C/T |
9607 / 17 |
1874/17.64 |
1879-1903 |
S.Kingdom, Tenby > E.Lonsdale, Tenby (1888) > O.Williams, Mumbles (1888). BU Mumbles 04.12.1904. |
|
K/T |
28152 / 18 |
1886/37 |
1887-1901 |
G.R.Wood, Tenby. BU 23.12.1901 |
|
?/T |
99279 / 10 |
1892/25.47 |
1904-24 |
(<RESTLESS DH343) Thos.H.Lillycrop, Tenby. Ceased fishing, registry closed 19.11.24 |
|
Da/T |
67676 / 87 |
1872/67 |
1891-? |
(<GY377) James Tooley, Tenby. |
|
RESULT | C/T | 91814 / ? | 1886/25 | c.1892 | J. Morgan, Pembroke Dock. |
K/T |
106572 / 51 |
1896/49.72 |
1915 |
(>BM87) JW Setterfield, Neyland. Foundered off Courtown, Co. Wexford, 13.08.15 |
|
CM/T |
? / 168 |
? /22 |
1933-35 |
Grimmer & Lillee, Grimsby > John & Lillee, Grimsby (1935) > A Chidwick, Grimsby (1935). Registry closed 02.09.35 |
|
C/T |
- / 31 |
? /17 |
1915-18 |
R.Folland, Tenby > M. & G.Griffiths, Tenby (1917) > A.Kingdom (Tenby). BU 27.11.18 |
|
C/T |
49509 / 10 |
? /25 |
1875-94 |
(<Wexford) G.R.Wood, Tenby. BU 04.12.94 |
|
C/T |
62794 / 13 |
1869/16 |
1886-96 |
G. & R.H.Rowe, Tenby. BU 12.1896 |
|
KM/T |
- / 180 |
1912/32 |
1921-23 |
<BM106 Jas. McLean. Destroyed by fire, St.Bride’s Bay, 30.09.23 |
|
KM/T>Cr |
99997 / 85 > 103 |
1893/27.74 |
1893-1903; 1911-19 |
M85 – R.Nicholes (1893; ceased fishing 1903) >M103 BGA Scott, Penzance (1911) > J Pollock & Sons, London (1917). Certificate cancelled & registry closed 20.12.19 |
|
KM/TL |
104115 / 175 |
1893/18.62 |
1918-19 |
EM Robertson & E Bryant, Tenby. Ceased fishing, registry closed 10.12.19 |
|
Da/T |
110312 / 9 |
1899/30.72 |
1904-06 |
Sarah Isabel Hancock. Xf.Ramsgate 17.10.06 |
|
KM/TL |
- / 29 |
? /14.62 |
1919-20 |
Gwyneth STC. BU 30.12.20 |
|
K/T |
128761 / 135 |
1912/56.45 |
1912-17 |
AG John et al., Fishguard/Goodwick. (Adm, WW1; Q-ship; sunk by UC-65 off Strumble Hd., 04.05.17) |
|
KM/DL |
- / 239 |
1897/37.04 |
1919-? |
Gwyneth STC. > WH Bowling & T Brown, Pembroke Dock (1919). |
|
C/TL |
87595 / 140 |
1883/17.33 |
1898-1913 |
PL Hancock >Eliz. Hancock (1903) > MA McKay & SI Hancock (1913). BU 10.11.13 |
|
C?M/P |
- / 26 |
/16.6 |
1924-25 |
E.T.Houston & J.Roch. Xf.Carnarvon 10.07.25 |
|
K/T |
102995 / 63 |
1895/48.12 |
1911-18 |
SI Hancock . Wrecked at Padstow, 23.12.18. |
|
KM/T |
109313 / 242 |
1899/47.44 |
1921-22 |
<BM75 CW Cobb. Caught fire and lost near Clovelly, 23.05.22 |
|
K/T |
137766 / 177 |
1906/79.76 |
1921-27 |
H.Wooding (LC Cockrell, Mgr.) > M Thompson (1925) > EJ Hellings & WE Johnstone (1926) Wrecked at Rosslare, 28.10.1927 |
|
CM/T |
? / 122 |
1897/22.69 |
1917-46 |
Fransham, Hewer & Legget > C.Cranford, Bristol (1918) > RS Dugdall, Fleetwood (1938) > Brixham Trawlers, Fleetwood (1940) > EG Wright, Fleetwood (1941). Sank in collision, 29.05.46. Registry closed 26.06.46. (Vessel sailing out of Fleetwood) |
|
K/? |
17159 / 21 |
? /50 |
1888-96 |
(<Falmouth) R.Ellis & H.Williams, Tenby. BU 16.12.1896 |
|
Da/TL |
121606 / 125 |
1906/42.57 |
1906-18 |
SI Hancock. Sold to Belgians 06.05.18 |
|
C>K/T |
98374 / 75 |
1891/21.91 |
1891-25 |
Wm.Geo.Griffiths, Tenby > J.Thomas, Tenby (1903) > J.Nichols > (1918) >PL Hancock (1921). Xf.Shoreham 06.01.25 |
|
C/T |
56669 / 6 |
? / 39 |
1881-91 |
(<Plymouth) D.Jones, Tenby. Xf.Brixham 05.12.91 |
|
K/T |
99991 / 94 |
1892/26.08 |
1892-1924 |
Patrick Crockford, Tenby > Thos. Richards, Tenby (1912). BU 13.03.24 |