Deadliest catch

[Tony Wilding]

Hi thanks,i never realised the season was so short, one trip would be too many for me, need to be a special kind of seaman to do that work, it looks very dangerous.

[Red Lead Ted]

Like any other captivating t.v. show its edited you only get to see the bering sea at its worse , It is like the North sea , Or the Bay o Biscay , One day like a sheet of glass the next shipping them green 30/ 40 foot high. The difference between Fisherman whatever nationality and lets not forget are own Scottish fisherman in the angry North Sea. They have a choice they dont have to put to sea, It was a choice we Merchant Seaman had no control over you took your book and took your chance. Most of us have had to work on deck in conditions like that true we would get off the deck asap. But then i can never remember earning anything like these guy,s do. That,s why they endure it. Big Buck,s i have noticed they are trained to get into a survival suite in 3 minutes or less before they can join a Fishing Boat. I was never given a survival suite i have stood in the wheelhouse of an Everade Boat with a life jacket while the skipper recited prayer,s from the bible along with the whole ship,s company Bay o Biscay, Never saw the ships deck for 2 day,s, These guy,s can make up to $100,000 each for a few weeks work. I remember paying off after 12 month,s of hell after being caught up in 2 war zones with £70. Now that wasn,t harsh it was bloody heart breaking. And lets not forget without taking anything away from these guy,s who deserve every penny. Our own North Atlantic Convoy,s who would rejoice in making the round journey without having to take to a clinker boat and what they endured . There my hero,s Regards lads Terry.


SHIPSTORM.mov - YouTube

[Ivan Cloherty]

Like any other captivating t.v. show its edited you only get to see the bering sea at its worse , It is like the North sea , Or the Bay o Biscay , One day like a sheet of glass the next shipping them green 30/ 40 foot high. The difference between Fisherman whatever nationality and lets not forget are own Scottish fisherman in the angry North Sea. They have a choice they dont have to put to sea,Terry.


SHIPSTORM.mov - YouTube

Not true in all cases Terry,maybe the day boats have that choice. On the distant water trawlers I was on working round Bear Island and the Barents Sea and Arctic waters we couldn't get back into port when we wanted and believe me they saw some 40/50 foot waves and ice laden as well' Not all distant water trawlers made it back home, snagged nets capsizing even the big 600 tonners in foul weather. Most were lost to losing the battle with ice when they couldn't chop it off in time, three big trawlers lost in one month due to icing, 60 men never made it home that month. They earnt their big money when the catch was good and even a good catch didn't mean good money if the market was bad, some catches ended up at the Fish Meal factory and then the pay off was equivalent to the dole after 3/4 weeks in temps as low as minus 20/25C, 24 hours ashore if the catch went to the FM Factory (36 if it didn't) and then back out again. If you took a trip off another trawler was hard to find

Yes in the MN we had our hurricanes/typhoons etc and long trips (my longest was 22 months) but we also had the tropics, the girls, the booze, new countries, new cargoes etc etc the guys on the trawlers didn't have that bonus we had; yes we choose our own path in life, but no they didn't have the choice not to sail, they also had families and financial committments to support. Rgds Ivan

[Captain Kong]

HERE IS A LIST OF FLEETWOOD TRAWLERS LOST SINCE WW2 , 1945.
.1945
S.T. Dinorah GY1107, April 1945 Mined Off Bridlington.
S.T. Gozo H545, Lost after striking a mine. 25 miles S by SW of Old Head of Kinsale.
S.T. Transport O159, Lost in heavy weather. ½ m from Buoy CH4 (near Noord Hinder L/V).
S.T. Eileen Wayman H235, Stranded Grannan Point, Isle of Lewis.
S.T. Northern Isles LO172, Lost after grounding Durban, East Africa.
S.T. River Ythan M51, Moved to Grimsby Missing.
S.T. Leith N.B. FD323, Sank after plates being stove in by trawl door. 27 miles W by N of Noup Head, Westray, Orkney Islands.
S.T. Hayburn Wyke FD99, Torpedoed Off Ostend.
S.T. Ethel Crawford FD404, Lost Mined.
S.T. Daily Mirror FD71, Moved to Granton Lost by collision.
S.T. Arley FD44, Mined North Sea.
S.T. Ariel H843, Lost while fishing after collision with steamer BENLEDI. Crew saved Sou’ west of Chicken Rock, Irish Sea.

1946
S.T. Kunishi, Wrecked on Pilling Sands.
S.T. Norbreck FD30, Mined. SW Ireland.

1947
S.T. Lois, Sank off Iceland, 1 man missing.
S.T. Benghazi H66, Wrecked at Fladda near Oban, 2 men missing.
S.T. Dhoon FD54, Wrecked at Iceland with loss of 3 men.
S.T. Princess Marie-José FD12, Sunk by a trawled up mine East coast of Iceland.
S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33, Stranded on the southern tip of the rocks S of Sorkapp.
S.T. Thomas Altoft H132, Stranded on rocks off Eilean Glas, Harris.

1948
S.T. Goth FD52, Lost with all hands (21 men) Adalvik, Iceland.
S.T. Corena FD195, Bound Greenland fishery ran into icebergs and fog, stranded 6 miles north of Frederikshaab, Greenland. Crew took to boat and rescued by local fishermen. Salved and broken up.

1949
S.T. St Clair FD15, to Gt. Yarmouth in thick fog in the Pentland Firth stranded on Isle of Stroma.
S.T. Cyelse FD67, Wrecked at Castlebay, Barra.
S.T. Pintail H982, Wrecked Bull Point Rathlin Island.
S.T. William Mannell LO370, Stranded off Portaleen Donegal.

1950
S.T. Sapphire FD358, Wrecked Skagi Light, Iceland.
S.T. Yarmouth FD334, Homebound from Iceland, Stranded on Scroby Sands 3 – 4 miles off Gt. Yarmouth.
S.T. Northern Reward LO168, Foundered off the south coast of Iceland.

1952
S.T. Heathery Brae M170, Foundered off Bordeaux, Guernsey.
S.T. Lune FD59, Wrecked in storm conditions. North Pier Aberdeen
S.T. Seville FD135, Stranded on The Great Barrier Reef.
S.T. Wyre Law FD48, Stranded Broad Bay, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
S.T. Clixby GY180, Under tow La Rochelle-Newport, broke tow. Stranded at Quessant.

1953
S.T. Michael Griffith FD249, Lost with all hands off Barra Head (13 men).
Hildina H222, Capsized off the Northern Isles, 5 men missing 1 man died after being picked up, 8 men rescued.
S.T. Leam FD290, (renamed Belldock) Stranded in Baltasound, Shetland Islands.
S.T. Richard Crofts LO365, In thick fog and rough seas grounded on Roaring Jake reef near Cornaig Beg on east coast of Coll, Inner Hebrides.
S.T. Commiles FD285, Sold to Royal Australian Navy and sunk after use as a target.
S.T. Hero FD227 run down by steamer RIVERCREST. 11 men saved one crew member lost.

1954
S.T. Evelyn Rose GY9, Wrecked in the Sound of Mull with the loss of 12 men.
S.T. Phoebe III FD121, Sold to Portugal Sank off Lisbon. Reported position between Cap Jurby and Cap Blanc.
S.T. Dewsland FD64, Sank at moorings at Mtongwe, Mombasa. No salvage attempted and abandoned.

1955
S.T. Almeria FD117, Sold to Australia as Coolgwai Sunk off Sydney.
S.T. Rangoon FD149, Lost following collision east of Langenes.
S.T. Sturdee LT588, Entering Aberdeen in dense fog, went ashore on beach opposite Beach Ballroom. Declared a CTL.
S.T. Thomas Leeds A256, Stranded 13 miles west of Lagos. Total loss.

1957
S.T. William Hannam A54, Foundered Off Kiberg.
S.T. Andradite H26, Crew saved Castlebay, Barra Island, Outer Hebrides

1958
S.T. Ben Dearg FD286?, Sunk by RAN Off Australia.

1959
S.T. Red Falcon, Lost with all hands at Skerryvore (19 men).
S.T. Bonthorpe FD104, Stranded at Cairns Inlet Queensland.

1961
S.T. Invertay GY287, Sunk by collision 190 miles off the Humber.

1962
S.T. Ella Hewett, Wrecked at Rathlin Island.
S.T. Boston Heron FD48, Hebrides Scotland.

1963
S.T. Lord Stanhope, Wrecked at Iceland.
S.T. Margaret Wicks FD265, Wrecked Scotland.
S.T. Northern Spray LO140, Wrecked Isafjördur, Iceland.
S.T. Lord Stanhope H199, Wrecked Iceland.
S.T. Achroite H81, Crew saved Ballure, Ramsey South Beach.

1964
Boston Firefly FD182, Lost without trace in a storm on December 01 1965, off Sable Island.
Boston Pionair FD96, Scarborough Stranded.
Pygmalion FD132, Lost off Maughold Head Isle of Man.

1965
Hamoaze PH 5, Wrecked on Pilling Sands.

1966
St Leonard FD179, Moved to Canada as Zebra, Hit rocks of Isle aux Morts harbour and broke in two.

1967
S.T. Blaefell FD40, Sold to South Africa Lost.

1968
Fleetwood Lady FD1, Sold to Canada sank in the Gulf of St Lawrence

1969
S.T. Navena FD149, Scuttled at Irvin Johnson artificial reef in False Bay.

1970
Stephil A41, Lost in March off Walney, Full F/wood crew all saved by a Wards trawler Craigmillar.

1971
S.T. Borella H240, Scuttled at False Bay South Africa.
S.T. Braconglen FD283, Sold to Ceylon Sank in Colombo Harbour.

1972
S.T. Eager LT 1166, Lost at Ghana No details

1973
S.T. Sir Agravine A276, Foundered Off Krakemeset.
Navena FD172, aground on the Orkneys, at Copinsay.

1974
Wyre Majestic FD433, Stranded in Islay Sound.

1976
Wyre Victory FD181, Wrecked at Coll, Inner Hebrides.
Boston Wellvale FD209, Stranded at Iceland, Salvaged and renamed Ran.

1977
Niels John, Foundered Off Maughold Head, Isle of Man.

1978
Boston Lightning FD14, Sank after an explosion, presumed to be a mine, 160 miles east of the Tyne.
Boston Typhoon FD183, Scuttled off Robben Island as part of an artificial reef.

1979
Maretta FD245, Total loss of the Ghanian coast after trying to help rescue another trawler.

1985
Boston Stirling FD247, Foundered at Loch Broom, Western Isles.

1986
Dawn Waters LT377, Foundered Irish Sea.
Loch Lein LT 334, Moved to New Zealand Reported lost.

1987
Boston Seafoam FD42, Stranded and lost.

1990
Captain Foley LO33, Sank off Cromer after a collision with the tug VIKINGBANK.

1994
M.V Boston Corsair LT148, Reported sunk in port. Spanish owned.

2001
Argo of Pembroke M74, Towed thirty-seven miles from Wellington by the tug KUPE and was scuttled in the early evening in 41048?S.,175000?E., about fifteen miles S.S.W. from Cape Palliser in 1,700 metres of water.

2008
Spinningdale FD29, Wrecked on the rocks at St. Kilda
Boston Seafire FD109, Scuttled of New Zealand.
Resolute A127, Scrapped in 2008 after a serious fire in her accomodation back in 2006.
Louise M FD337, Renamed Guyona BM1. Lost off the Channel Islands, All crew saved.
Royalist FD24, January 23, Flooded and sank during fishing operations when approximately 180nm off Dingle, Ireland.

[Red Lead Ted]

Not true in all cases Terry,maybe the day boats have that choice. On the distant water trawlers I was on working round Bear Island and the Barents Sea and Arctic waters we couldn't get back into port when we wanted and believe me they saw some 40/50 foot waves and ice laden as well' Not all distant water trawlers made it back home, snagged nets capsizing even the big 600 tonners in foul weather. Most were lost to losing the battle with ice when they couldn't chop it off in time, three big trawlers lost in one month due to icing, 60 men never made it home that month. They earnt their big money when the catch was good and even a good catch didn't mean good money if the market was bad, some catches ended up at the Fish Meal factory and then the pay off was equivalent to the dole after 3/4 weeks in temps as low as minus 20/25C, 24 hours ashore if the catch went to the FM Factory (36 if it didn't) and then back out again. If you took a trip off another trawler was hard to find

Yes in the MN we had our hurricanes/typhoons etc and long trips (my longest was 22 months) but we also had the tropics, the girls, the booze, new countries, new cargoes etc etc the guys on the trawlers didn't have that bonus we had; yes we choose our own path in life, but no they didn't have the choice not to sail, they also had families and financial committments to support. Rgds Ivan

Iam not putting these guy,s down or knocking them m8 dont get me wrong, I sailed with D.H.U.s That were former fisherman. The comparison i made was we had no choice Shipping companies would bend over backwards to get there ships at sea rether than pay extra fee,s in port. Merchant Ship,s had to have a full ship,s company on articles and on pay before they could consider sailing, Unlike fisherman who were although on standby earned nothing unless they were fishing. If the skipper of one of these fishing boats does not want to put to sea because of bad weather he wont compromise his fishing boat. In our case we sailed regardless, I also having sailed with ex fisherman found they never had the general maintanance skills Merchant Seaman had. There fishing boats were maintained in dock out of season we had no seasons if you had to haul yourself aloft in any weather, you did it, I remember painting inside the accomadation in heavy weather you were on pay and that was that not stood down. I take nothing away from Fisherman yes they had hungry mouths to feed. But will never retract from my true hero,s who put to sea. The North Atlantic Convoy,s that sailed the ALI, ALI, O. And kept this country of ours fed and supplied through rat infested waters known as U Boats and the archive,s we have all viewed of there demise and the harrowing end some of those men endured. Regard,s Terry.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Iam not putting these guy,s down or knocking them m8 dont get me wrong, I sailed with D.H.U.s That were former fisherman. The comparison i made was we had no choice Shipping companies would bend over backwards to get there ships at sea rether than pay extra fee,s in port. Merchant Ship,s had to have a full ship,s company on articles and on pay before they could consider sailing, Unlike fisherman who were although on standby earned nothing unless they were fishing. If the skipper of one of these fishing boats does not want to put to sea because of bad weather he wont compromise his fishing boat. In our case we sailed regardless, I also having sailed with ex fisherman found they never had the general maintanance skills Merchant Seaman had. There fishing boats were maintained in dock out of season we had no seasons if you had to haul yourself aloft in any weather, you did it, I remember painting inside the accomadation in heavy weather you were on pay and that was that not stood down. I take nothing away from Fisherman yes they had hungry mouths to feed. But will never retract from my true hero,s who put to sea. The North Atlantic Convoy,s that sailed the ALI, ALI, O. And kept this country of ours fed and supplied through rat infested waters known as U Boats and the archive,s we have all viewed of there demise and the harrowing end some of those men endured. Regard,s Terry.

Terry, whilst I admire most of your posts and your ability to make your point, I think on this occasion you have got a train of thought and nothing is going to change it. But let's clarify a couple of things

We are not talking about the "DAY" boats here and you seem to be classing all trawlers as DAY boats

Deep water trawlers could NOT stay in port and refuse to sail if the weather was bad, these trawlers were and are company owned and sail out into a gale in the North Sea on their way out to the Arctic and Greenland waters and they did this during WWI and WWII with no escorts.

There is no OUT OF SEASON for deep water trawlers, are you under the impression that there is an out of season, and that the trawlers caught enough in the summer months to last the nation throughout the winter. Have you ever experienced summer weather in the Arctic regions, it is not a millpond. In the winter (apart from the war periods) most MN seamen do not experience elsewhere the weather experienced in those waters as they are routed well clear of it. Unfortunately for trawlers it is where they need to be.

Whilst I also have great and undying admiration for those who served in Atlantic convoys (my father was one of them) do not forget that a lot of these convoys were escorted by deepwater trawlers with fishermen as their crew, and with RNVR commanders, some of them trawler skippers. These trawlers also acted as "trailers" whose duty was to stop and pick up survivors from ships that had been torpedoed thus exposing themselves as a stationery target for Uboats and becoming victims themselves, many suffered that fate.

Many deep water trawlers operated in the North Sea and were subject to airborne bombing attacks Uboat and Eboat attacks, these trawlers were out there 3 to 4 weeks at a time (the same length as an Atlantic voyage) and also subject to frequent attacks, and no they couldn't take evasive action with their nets down doing 2 - 3 knots. Most if not all were steam trawlers and heavy smokers so easily found. No sense in running for home port as Hull was the most bombed city after London (85% of housing stock was damaged) and the docks because of its proximity to Germany the most bombed port in the UK, so that would have been out of the frying pan into the fire.

Lets not forget that many trawlers became minesweepers operating in the North Sea and English Channel were they were subjected to artillery fire from the French coast, these were also manned by trawlermen as well as RN and RNR etc

Yes the Atlantic convoys kept us fed, but more fish was consumed in WWII than in any other time and became part of the staple diet

Yes you may have had a bad experience sailing with ex fishermen who were not as good at maintenance as yourself and yes their trawlers may have been maintained by shore riggers doing essential repairs after the trawler was unloaded and before it sailed again, but these trawlers were only on the slipway for 5 or 6 days every year for a scrub and paint.

If you had sailed on trawlers you would realise that there is not time for painting cabins in bad weather, in bad weather you are out on deck hauling in the catch and then gutting, cleaning, icing and storing fish with the vessel rolling 45 degrees as well as pitching and pounding. Working 18 hours a day whilst in the fishing grounds and minimum 12 hours a day on passage to them, preparing and reparing nets (a job not done by shore riggers). My job as a 13, 14 and 15 year old was to be down the hatch chopping away at a 20 ton mountain of ice to keep the lads supplied with broken ice to cover the trays. On the way out to the fishing grounds I was down that hold 12 hours a day chopping away at ice so that some would be ready for the first haul.

So Terry M8 don't be under the impression that because someone cannot paint a cabin in bad weather that he or his forebears are not proper seamen and have not made a contribution during the war and that they lie comfortably in their beds at home every night, if this is your impression of trawlermen then you are sadly mistaken, many a time they have had to splice broken wires that have to be steam heated to make them pliable because the ice made them like brittle rods of iron. I've sailed with ex deep sea men on trawlers who constantly puked their ring up.

So with all due respect, unless you've done it mate don't feel qualified to comment upon it.

[Captain Kong]

WW2 loss of Fleetwood trawlers. Bombed, torpedoed, Mined, Shelled, plus weather.and icing
This does NOT include the loss of any other trawler from Hull, Grimsby, Aberdeen, Frazerboro`, Montrose, Plymouth, Milford, Grimsby, Scarboro`etc etc etc.
.
. THIS IS THE PRICE OF FISH IN THE CHIPPY..
1939
S.T. Wellvale FD140, Sunk by U-Boat off Mull, All hands missing (12 men).
S.T. William Humphries LO533, Missing off the Hebrides with all hands (13 men).
S.T. Sulby FD87, Sunk by U-Boat 5 men missing.
S.T. Creswell, Sunk by U-Boat 6 men missing.
S.T. Barbara Robertson FD50, Sunk by U-Boat 1 man missing.
S.T. Lord Minto FD51, Sunk by U-Boat off the Flannon Islands.
S.T. Lord Lister FD157, Moved to Portugal 1930 Lost by collision off Cape Roca.

S.T. Cheriton M118, Wrecked on Skea Skerries, Westray Sound. Crew saved.
S.T. Rudyard Kipling FD33, Captured by U-boat (U.27) off West Coast of Ireland. Sunk by explosive charges.
S.T. Aurea FD300, Foundered in the North Sea, 150 miles E by N of May Island, Firth of Forth after being bombed and damaged by German air attack.
S.T. Thomas Hankins LO372, Lost to U-boat gunfire. Off the Western Isles.
S.T. Delphine A126,Sunk by gunfire from U-33 14 miles NW Tory Island.
S.T. Arlita FD188, Sunk By U-boat gunfire.
S.T. Albatross FD353, Stranded and sunk as Crisabelle Stephen all 9 crew lost.
S.T. Davara FD152,Sunk by U-27 Off Tory Island.
S.T. City of York FD16, Ran on rocks off Tolsta Head, Isle of Lewis.
S.T. Caldew FD347, Sunk by U-boat Faroes. Cremoved and interned in Germany, they was released in 1945.
S.T. Sola FD369, Lost to enemy aircraft 112 miles E by N of May Island, Firth of Forth.
S.T. Trinity N.B. FD324, Lost to enemy aircraft 17 miles NE of Rattray Head.
S.T. Sea Sweeper FD171, Sunk by U-boat Off Tory Island.
S.T. Wigmore GY469, Sunk by U-boat. Appoximate position 58°01.2N/01°57.5W when attacked by U-boat (U.22).
S.T. Quixotic GY982, Stranded Adjacent to Bell Rock Lighthouse.

1940
S.T. Merisia FD153, Lost of the Isle of Man with all hands (12 men).
S.T. Oona Hall FD23, Run down by French Armed Aux, Cruiser Ville d’Alger, (11 men missing).
S.T. Victorian GY1189, Sunk by enemy aircraft North Sea.
S.T. Theresa Boyle FD 338, Sunk by enemy aircraft 115 miles E x N of Aberdeen.
S.T. Margaret Rose GY355, Sunk as a blockship by French Port Authorities. Dunkirk.
S.T. Soar FD155, Grounded on Black Waugh rocks 1 mile south of Gourdon, Kincardineshire.
S.T. Lowdock 1940 Lost 5m east of Tod Head, Stonehaven.
S.T. Lucida FD20, Mined in North Sea; crew of twelve lost.

1941
S.T. Kincorth A263, Mined 7 miles off Point Lynas, North Wales; crew of eleven lost.
S.T. Ladylove LO167, Missing off Iceland with all hands (14 men), probably torpedoed by U.202.
S.T. King Eric, Missing off Iceland with all hands (15 men).
S.T. Daneland FD365, Sunk by enemy aircraft off N. Ireland.
S.T. Murielle, Sunk by mine. 9m SW x S of Morecambe Bay lightship.
S.T. Thomas Deas M253, Lost with all hands (13 men) due to parachute mine 4 miles from Spurn Head Humber Estuary.
S.T. Force FD100, Sunk by German aircraft Off Yarmouth.
S.T. Cradock LT591, Sunk by German aircraft 14 miles NNE of St. Abbs Head.
S.T. Sisapon, Foundered Cork Sand, Harwich.
S.T. Sylvia H439, Foundered off Faroe Islands after being bombed and damaged by German air attack.
S.T. Whitby FD147, Lost to enemy aircraft 3 miles SSE of Blackwater Light Vessel.
S.T. Recenia M3, Formerley Thistle FD226, Stranded on Barn Scar, Seascale.
S.T. Craigmore HL83, Sunk of St. Anns Head.
S.T. Strathrye, Lost to a mine. North of Great Ormes Head.
S.T. Lorinda FD182, Foundered off Freetown, Sierra Leone after fire in machinery spaces.
S.T. Kirklinton FD293, Renamed Eamont, Sunk by enemy aircraft Off Orkney.

1942
S.T. Nordale SH89, Stranded off the Mull of Galloway, 5 men missing.
S.T. Gallinule LL116, Sank at Skerryvore with loss of 3 men.
S.T. William Hanbury GY1322, Stranded St. Anne’s Head, Isle of Man.
S.T. Warland GY819, Lost to enemy aircraft North Sea.
S.T. Rononia FD88, Torpedoed by U-boat (U.701) Iceland.
S.T. Manor FD174, Moved to France then Milford Haven Sunk by E-boat.
S.T. Good Luck FD425, Lost in collision Off Deal.
S.T. Chorley FD26, Sunk Off Start Point.
S.T. Cloughton Wyke FD46, Lost to air attack Off the Humber.
S.T. Irvana FD181, Sunk by German aircraft Off Great Yarmouth.
S.T. Braconbush A770, Mined off Duncansby Head. Taken in tow for Scrabster but foundered; crew of eleven saved.
S.T. Northern Princess LO170, Torpedoed by U-boat (U.587); no wreckage, no survivors from crew of 38.

1943
S.T. Hondo H565, Sank off Barra Head with loss of all hands.
S.T. Moray GN105, Foundered. Off St. Ann’s Head, Pembrokeshire.
S.T. Lord Wimborne A441, Stranded Alftanes, Iceland.
S.T. Aracari FD218, Grounded on Filicudi Island, north of Sicily. Declared a total loss.
S.T. Scomber FD90, Lost after being sold, No details.
S.T. Red Gauntlet LO33, Lost To E-boat attack (S-86) All Hands Off Felixstowe.
S.T. Donna Nook FD237, Lost after collision with Stella Rigel Off Harwich.

1944
S.T. Wyoming GY483, Mined Off Harwich.
S.T. Braconburn A768, On passage to Scapa Flow sank after collision with steamer LeBARON RUSSELL BRIGGS.
S.T. Rochester LT153, Mined 27 miles ENE of Withernsea Lighthouse.
S.T. Northcoates H329, Sank under tow English Channel.
S.T. Noreen Mary FD4, Lost to gunfire from U-247. Off Cape Wrath.
S.T. Transvaal FD381, Sank in gales English Channel.
S.T. Allenta FD407, Sold to Portugal Sank.

1945
S.T. Dinorah GY1107, April 1945 Mined Off Bridlington.
S.T. Gozo H545, Lost after striking a mine. 25 miles S by SW of Old Head of Kinsale.
S.T. Transport O159, Lost in heavy weather. ½ m from Buoy CH4 (near Noord Hinder L/V).
S.T. Eileen Wayman H235, Stranded Grannan Point, Isle of Lewis.
S.T. Northern Isles LO172, Lost after grounding Durban, East Africa.
S.T. River Ythan M51, Moved to Grimsby Missing.
S.T. Leith N.B. FD323, Sank after plates being stove in by trawl door. 27 miles W by N of Noup Head, Westray, Orkney Islands.
S.T. Hayburn Wyke FD99, Torpedoed Off Ostend.
S.T. Ethel Crawford FD404, Lost Mined.
S.T. Daily Mirror FD71, Moved to Granton Lost by collision.
S.T. Arley FD44, Mined North Sea.
S.T. Ariel H843, Lost while fishing after collision with steamer BENLEDI. Crew saved Sou’ west of Chicken Rock, Irish Sea.
.
.
I never once had a Desire to go Fishing. and bleddy glad I didnt.

[John Arton]

Like many others here I take my hat off to any deep sea fishermen as they have possibly the most dangerous job at sea in non naval circles.
I once went up to Iceland on a deep sea trawler out of Fleetwood when I was at school. It was arranged by our wood work master who for some strange unknown reason had a love affair with the sea but had never been to sea. I don't know how he had made contact with the trawler owners, all I can recall is him announcing in class one day that anyone who fancied a trip on a trawler during the summer break was to come and see him. Being the class idiot I was the only one who went to see him so that summer ( I think I was 14 at the time) I found myself on this trawler going up to Iceland. My biggest memory was being sea sick all the time and also the size of the cod? they caught. All on board lived basically on the catch with eggs and bacon thrown in. I lived on fresh air for most of the time.
It certainly opened my eyes to the sheer amount of hard work and danger they put themselves in to. I guess most land lubbers would describe them as hard as nails yet they took great care of me and tried to make the trip as interesting as possible.
On return home I thanked them for a fantastic experience but like the idiot I was then (and now) never bothered to keep in contact with any of them. One thing that came out of it all was that even when i did decide to pursue a sea going career I made shure that I did not go near the fishing industry again. One trip as supernumery had taught me that a fishermans life was not for me. Now the only Fishermen Friends I have are those fantastic lozenges made in Fleetwood that almost take your gob off.
rgds
JA (phew!!just popping a Fishermens Friend)

[John Arton]

Hi
Back again, forgot to mention in my previous post on this subject that there is a really good series on Sky Documenteries that follow the lives of the Aberdeen Trawlermen called, strangely enough, TRAWLERMEN. Well worth a watch
rgds
JA

[Ivan Cloherty]

It certainly opened my eyes to the sheer amount of hard work and danger they put themselves in to. I guess most land lubbers would describe them as hard as nails yet they took great care of me and tried to make the trip as interesting as possible.

JA (phew!!just popping a Fishermens Friend)

My abiding memory of them was that they made you work hard, fed you well, protected you as much as the job would allow and would never let any harm come to you. Also stripped you down and have a hot water wash down the engineroom just before arriving home so you didn't smell like a rotten fish barrel. My first trawler was "Swanland" built in 1914 no hot water facilities, so a bucket of cold water with a pipe injecting steam from one of the generators to heat it up, pure luxury as previous 4 weeks was hands and face only in cold water and North of Scotland the water is cold even in summer.You never got undressed the whole time, your clothes became dirty, oily but waterproof, the smell of the fish over rode all others. Always invited you to their payoff morning and gave generous tips, if you'd been a hard worker, and hard work had never frightened me, I loved it.