My father was 'Charlie' LeVoguer. He was a seaman all his life. In the '40s and '50s we lived at 37 North Street. A terraced row between Bamforths cycle shop and the Peacock Hotel. He served in the North Atlantic during the war. In later years as a small boy, I remember him sailing out of Goole on the Rother and the Lancing. He finished his working life in the early '70s aged 62 on the Petrel a small coaster doing Goole-Boulogne runs.

I understand that my uncle, William Tudor, was lost when the Cedarbank was torpedoed during WW2. I read the following on your website:

Posted by david lea-jackson at 21/05/2006 15:58
Pedro;Ref the gunner on MV Cedarbank His name was W .McGRATH, 200,Commercial road, Liverpool.This info comes from the crew list I have in my possession.Regards,David L-J

I was wondering if anyone could provide some information on William Tudor and what happened please? I am researching our family tree and would appreciate any information about my uncle and or the ship.

CEDARBANK .... ship details on

http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/72867

'sm/t' means submarine torpedo

for Jan Cedarbank sunk by u-26 on the 21st april 1940 at 7.49hrs.whilst on passage with munitions from Norway to Leith Scotland.Your uncle William Niel Tudor son of William and Elsie Mary Tudor of Bridport Dorsetshire.was the youngest member of the crew at 16 yrs of age. He was lost along with 13 crew members + 1 royal navy gunner 30 crew were rescued

for Jan His rating was Cabin Boy.

Thank you to George Robinson, "Pedro" and David Lea-Jackson for the information they have provided about my Uncle William Neil Tudor (he was always known as Neil in the family) and the MV Cedarbank.

Thank you once again. I am so glad that I found you on the Internet and am truly amazed at the swift response to my recent query.

I am trying to find a photo' of HM Rescue tug 'Tenacity' on which my wifes father was crew(Herbert Christie Marshall)I have the picture from the Goole Times article by Mike Marsh and I have found a small picture of her 'Sister ship'Jaunty, built at selby.I understand 'Bert Marshall' and Tenacity spent most of the early war years in the North Atlantic aiding the convoys.I will be glad of any 'Info'

Tenacity built by Cochrane of selby as the Diligent for the RN 1940-named tenacity 1940 then Adherent 1947 and Hermes 1962-Riverton Viking 1970 and Canadian Viking 1985.I do have a good pic of her on file.

Tenacity he other sister ships Sesame and Prudent.The Sesame sunk by Eboat just after Dunkirk.The Prudent became the Riverton Lion and was recently sunk deliberately to make an artificial reef off Vancouver Island.Unless I hear differently the old girl Tenacity under her new name is still towing rafts of logs up and down River in British Colombia.
In 1944 the canadian navy ship HMCS Longbranch in convoy ONS23 developed mechanical problems and was towed into St Johns Newfoundland by the Tenacity who left St Johns on the 14th june 1944 and joined convoy HXS 300 the largest convoy of the war.

In closing I guess those Canadians new good ships when they saw them.

Ahoy Pedro, the state the logging industry is in at the present time here in BC ,I doubt she is vey busy

hi Hamish we are still getting timber imports saying its from sustainable forests i/e chop one plant one.Hope alls well over there

Pedro! If it has blue streaks in it it is beetle kill, most of the pine in BC is going that way,and I don't hear of anyone planting anything,just like the salmon in the UK, we are doing the same thing letting the salmon farms kill off the wild stock

Hi Hamish I guess thats what some people call progress.Glad alls well with you and dont forget if you ever decide to visit the old place you will always find a berth here in Goole
P.S Cant guarantee the place is the one you remember tho apart from old shipmates :)

Can I ask any surfers with memories of shops or shopping in Goole to add comments to the Your Memories page (on the left-hand side)? This will start to get the momentum going for a future exhibition at Goole Museum

Pedro was back there(in Goole)in 1999 very big changes as you say, and thanks for the offer!I see the webmaster is looking for input re shopping in Goole, the only shopping I could help him with would be in the "railway"(Charlies) "Melodies" and the "Vymuden" which I suspect is not what he is looking for, I was "front and Centre" for the first bus to Leeds(if time permitted)as soon as the ship touched the dock, cheers H

My home is close to the shores of Southampton water. Less than a mile from the main shipping channel into the port. Of course I get a great view of all the new cruiseliners arriving and departing with their retinue of water plumes and firework displays. An awesome sight. But I remember when I first came to live here fifty years ago. My place of work was at the end of Calshot Spit. The Elizabeth and Mary would approach at such a rate of knots sometimes that their wake would send a huge wave over the Spit That really was a sight,and it was our job then to clear the road of shingle to get to work. nothing can compare to the sight of those ships. But of course they were British built and I may be guilty of feeling a little biased.

I remember during my seagoing days on a small coastal vessel from Goole we entered Southampton and passed the Queen Mary in all her majesty moored alongside the Quay.As we passed by we looked up and was met with derrogotary remarks like Ahoy there have you come for our ashes or brought us more coal:)

Hi Pedro. At last I have found someone who remembers visiting Southampton on a collier from Goole. If you could tell me the name of your ship and which company. it may help me in my research. It was before your time ,but my wifes grandfather Ted Hall did the same journey during the war. But I have been unable to find what ships. He ended up as Boson at the shipyard, before his retirement. The only Goole registered vessels I have ever seen here are mainly Sand & Gravel carriers.

Corby the Queen Mary incident I was on the Lancasterbrook
most of the colliers running for Hargreaves.Everards also had a contract doing the same. Everards 100th ship the Centurity was at Spithead Review 1953 for the Coronation celebrations then back to Goole for coal.Whartons of Keadby took coal then across to Jersey for potatoes to Southampton and alternate to Portsmouth.Other companys Stephenson Clark and France Fenwick regular colliers Goole to Southampton.

Greetings Corby and Pedro
very few colliers would be registered in Goole, Stevies were registered in London, but while on the "Seaford "with the infamous capt Stark ,we would make the odd trip to Poole, then on the way back north we would Bunker up the river toward Southhampton, it was a self serve and self docking operation, to an old wooden dock out in the river, you can imagine the fun we had getting alongside with the tide that runs in that place

Pedro I might have mentioned this before the skipper of the Lancasterbrook made a battery driven scale model of his ship, I do not know his name. It would have been c1957 when he gave it to my Dad. You can imagine the fun me and my brother had sailing it in the park ponds.

Geoff the skipper of the Lancasterbrook (i previously mentioned)
was Harold Lawson of Riversdale Drive Goole.The mate was Monty Rhodes of Goole.Captain Lawson piloted himself up and down the Ouse.His son also a pilot on the river (wife a school teacher)Captain Lawson also had the Sanfry he was decorated in WW11.Truly a gentlman that I had the Honour to sail with in the 1950s.

Geoff/Corby Go to canal page on the right see A romance of Export the story of a journey overseas with coal to Belgium from Goole.Captain Lawson on the Sanfry

Thankyou Pedro and Hamish for your input. I will have to rethink persuing my wifes ancestry considering the very large ammount of companies and ships involved in the movement of coal around our coasts. The annoying thing for us is that Ted Halls wife attended our wedding in '57 and knew we were going to live in Southampton where they were married and still had relatives here then. She could have told us so much. The only relative remaining in Goole now is Doreen Hall(nee Thorpe) widow of Bob Hall my wifes uncle. But she knows nothing of Bob's ancestry. Thankyou also Pedro for the "Sanfry" story. Very interesting

Corby you mentioned Ted Hall ending up in the shipyard.Do you mean Goole shipyard?if so my elder brother may know something
about him my brother now in his 83rd year went into the yard age 14yrs untill his retirement at 65.

Pedro, It was Goole shipyard. According to his daughter,Marion he ended his working life in the rigging shop

Corby got pic ok printed it will show it to my bro later in the week

Pedro. I have just thought of a solution to my Ted Hall problem. He had a son Ted who could have been born as early as 1910. On the death of his mother he lived at Pinfold St. Howden. That is as much as I know.But he may be the one your bro knew.

I wonder if anyone has information on a lady ship builder called Charlotte Atkinson. She was living at James St Goole (Snaith Parish) on the 1841 census. She had sons Robert, 25 and Ralph, 20. I cannot find her on any other censuses after that. The sons seem to disappear too. Does anyone have info on any ships she built at Goole (or elsewhere?).
Regards,
Pauline Scott.

Geoff

I have inadvertently lost your email address.

Could you email me your latest version of the family tree please.

Regards.

Paul

Paul sorry I have also lost your address, mine is geoffdepledge@hotmail.com Let me have your address and I will send info to you.

Any one remeber M.V.FRIARGATE HULL GATE SHIPPING CO

Hello Malcolm Gillam
Funny coincidence. I was loooking for the sunk ship Ricardo Manuel in which my father was in 1971 and which corresponds as far as I could find to your ship:

1945 MARNA, South Georgia Co (Chr.Salvesen), Leith.
1960 HARCLIFF, Hargreaves Coal & Shipping Co, London.
1963 RICARDO MANUEL, Comp.Cia. Portuguesa de Nav, Panama.
4.9.71 Sank after collision with m/v ZAGORA off Casablanca Harbour.

My father was a mechanic there and told me from the event was that he had just left his cabin when Zagora struck where he had been just minutes before. They all abandoned the ship and were later recovered by the Zagora crew.

I remember visiting the ship when I was a little boy before the sinking in a harbour called Olho de Boi in Almada, Portugal. It was in poor condition, very rusty but it still impressed me, maybe because I was so young.

It is very little but that is the little piece of history I can add up and unfortunatelly my father left us in 2005.
Best regards and good luc in your search and if you find any pictures please let me know.

Re-Friargate remember her well if you follow Riversea link top right.You will find her in Goole built link.Also Northgate-Royalgate- and foxtongate along with her history

RICARDO MANUEL

Delio, she was Goole built as EMPIRE CLIFF, some photos of her as MARNA and HARCLIFF on

http://www.riverseaships.co.uk/goole/empirecliff.htm

or use the Goole Shipbuilding link at top right and look under 1941 for EMPIRE CLIFF.

If there is anyone about that is interested in Marine Engines then put SULZER into google and then click on "The Most Powerful Diesel Engine in the World". 108,920 horsepower at 102 rpm. Another site which is interesting is Doxford then Doxford Engine Friends, then click on gallery. See how you go. Regards to all.

Hello Wilf. I was interested to read your input on the Doxford engines. My work on marine diesel installation was limited to little over 3,000 horse. Proteus, Deltic and Mtu But I have known about the Doxford range since I worked for Mike Doxford, a decendant of that family.He and his twin were given "X" amount to make their way in the world. His brother Robin went into banking and Mike had a commodoty brokerage in London. I worked for Mke in his Limit Up race team (Powerboats worldwide) To continue his racing he finally had sponsorship but by that time it was too late and he went bankrupt to the tune of £13M. Not long after he died, Cirrhosis of the liver. Email me for more.

Thanks for the info Corby another site you may find of interest is http:presidentschoice.imeche.org.uk Regards to all Wilf

Corby another good site for "Doxford"chat is -ships nostalgia

Hello,

I would be very grateful for any information on
THOMAS ETHELBERT JOHNSTON. Ship owner of HULL.
To help with family history research.

Thankyou very much.

Thanks for the Ships nostalgia site Hamish. Lots of info there.

Can anyone help? I am seeking information on Cook's buildings. George Street. Around late 1800's. Where exactly was it

Dave LJ
SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN REPLYING I would be interested in reading the article in the Goole Times
Chris Barker

Hi Chris. If you email me on bill@bunting.me.uk I can return the story of The Golden Wedding which was given to me by David.

to George Robinson. Hi George, have you anything on SS Annie She appears on 1881 Ships in port. Goole 2.She must be quite large to carry the crew involved.

ANNIE for Corby

The likely one would be the Goole SS vessel, have only scanty details, see

http://www.riverseainternational.co.uk/hill/annie1864.htm

Thanks George . Sounds lke she was similar to Rosa.

Hi.. I'm just wondering if anybody may be able to help. I am trying to find out any information about an old painting that has recently come into my son's possession. It look's like an oil painting,( colour ) of a boat, in what appear's to be a river or lake of some sort..On the side of the boat,a name has been painted on. The first name we can tell has 5 letters,but we cannot tell the initial letter,.. The second part of the name is
definately Goole.. so, it read's something like ?arle Goole...
At the bottom of the painting is a name and a date... The name appear's to be either J.Presset , or, it could be J. Prosset...and the date look's like 1957 ... This particular painting was behind another, this being a black and white portrait , of a striking looking gentleman, in what appear's to be a Captain's uniform of the British Royal Navy.. Sadly, there are no names or dates upon that picture.. We are extremely intrigued, and would love to be able to put a name to the face, and , to know perhaps wether or not there may have been some kind of connection between the two .. If there is anybody who may be able to help in any way, please could you contact me via this site..
Thankyou so much..
Karen

Karen how did you establish the gent in the "front "picture as being in the "Royal navy"? Sleeve rings, cap badge,?

Karen, that name is quite a puzzler, I presume that the name you are reading is on the stern so that 'Goole' will be the port of registry ... there have been no ships to my knowledge with Goole as the second part of a two-word name.
The nearest I can get with a Goole ship would be the WHARFE, an old steamer built in 1890 ... does it look like that sort of age, if not what does it look like?

Intrigued Karen You say a picture of a boat is it a small sailing vessel or a large cargo ship if the latter does it have funnel markings if so this may help.1957 not so long ago for us oldies.

Hello & Thankyou to Hamish, George & Pedro for taking the time to reply to my message. I appreciate it.. As for the Questions you have raised regarding the painting's, I'm afraid I have no knowledge of boats at all, so I'm unable to say wether or not it look's as if it may be from the 1800's .. Sorry ....
From what I can see, there are definately mast's of some sort, but no visible sails...and the name is at the rear of the boat...
As for the Gentleman in the other painting, yes, he does have a cap badge, and there are two '' ring's'' at the bottom of his jacket sleeve, with some sort of '' crest'' inbetween ? The jacket appears to be double breasted, with 8 buttons.. I have a feeling that the trousers & shirt would be white, with the jacket perhaps navy or black ? He also has a tie on..
I'm afraid it's not alot to go on, unfortunately, is it ! ( laughs )
If possible, would anybody be willing to pass on their email address for me ? If so, I will take some photographs of the two painting's, and then I will be able to email them through. Hopefully, that way I may be able to find out more about them ..
Also, are there any other web sites that may be of some use ?
Thank's again for any help given or offered..
Karen

Karen - you can send a photo to feedback@goole-on-the-web.org.uk and I'll link to it from the website

Hello again.. Thankyou for that , Stuart.. I will ask my son to take some photographs, and will email them forward as soon as possible.
Regards,
Karen

Greetings Karen! Try www.shipsnostalgia.com

Karen, have a look at photos of the WHARFE on this link, does it look like her?

http://www.riverseainternational.co.uk/hill/wharfe1890.htm

I alighted on this excellent website via a Google enquiry on the MV Whitby Abbey. The reason for my interest in the ship is that she was one of the ships in the Associated Humber Lines fleet which sailed out of Goole and Hull. In fact, I am pretty sure, but I could be wrong, that AHL (then part of the British Transport Commission) was established following its acquisition of the old Goole Steam Shipping Company.

My late father, George Hill, was a marine engineer with AHL and "came ashore" as Assistant Marine Superindent Engineer with an office in Goole before moving later to AHL's office in Hull as Marine Superintendent Engineer. He was heavily involved in the renewal of the AHL fleet in the 50's. The Whitby Abbey was among the new fleet (she was built either on the Wear or on the Clyde which one I cannot now recall).

During one voyage she caught fire in the North Sea and I believe that she was salvaged although she sustained serious damage. Her master was a Captain Wooller who I think lived in Goole. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who recalls the ship, the fire - in particular a reference to the Board of Trade inquiry - and was on board at the time or perhaps had a relative who was a member of her crew.

In anticipation

Peter H

Ref my post of yesterday I have now done some further research. The memory must be going! It was the Fountains Abbey which caught fire in the North Sea not, as I mistakenly thought, the Whitby Abbey. However, if anyone can throw light on the circumstances of the fire and in particular, how I might be able to locate the Board of Trade enquiry report I would be most grateful.

WHITBY ABBEY and FOUNTAINS ABBEY were both from the Hall Russell yard at Aberdeen in 1954.

FOUNTAINS ABBEY fire was on 12/2/1962 and broken up at Bruges the following month.
WHITBY ABBEY sold out of the fleet in 1968.

I sailed with Fred Wooler on the SS.Alt 1953 he came from Hull.
At this time was living in Hessle we knew him as mad Freddy when the steamers were anchored off Hull awaiting fog to clear before travelling up to Goole he would steam thro them arriving in some cases hours earlier and other company masters having to explain what kept them.

George and Pedro,

Very many thanks for your helpful and illuminating responses to my query ( I had quite forgotten that Hall Russell had built some of the new fleet). Now that I have the date of the fire I'll check back on the newspaper coverage of the event.

Incidentally, in addition to the " butter boats" - the Byland and Kirkham Abbey which sailed out of Goole - some of the other 'new' AHL ships sailing from Goole were named after west Yorkshire cities and towns. The Wakefield was certainly among them but the names of the others I cannot remember.

Both my friend John Appleyard and my Uncle Billy Ash sailed on the Fountains Abbey. John recently gave an account of an incident which happened to my Uncle when after returning from a trip he had to do maintainance work within the funnel and was unlucky to fall down onto the machinery below. John was unable to expand on the story. How badly injured he was . I would love to hear any comments if anyone can remember it happening.

Corby Bunting's story about his uncle's accident inside the funnel of the Fountains Abbey prompts the thought that if a similar accident occurred today the ship would not have been allowed to sail again until a full 'elf'n safety' inquiry had been completed. Seriously, I do hope that he recovered from any injury he may have sustained.Like Corby, any other stories and recollections from people who sailed aboard the vessel will be most welcome.

other motor ships Leeds n Harrogate

Losing my marbles forgot the York.Altho I sailed on the Macclesfield but then thats in Cheshire:)

John you struck a nerve with the comment "Butter Boats" I sailed on the"Don" which along with the "Dearne"(spelling?) were the "Butter Boats" in my era, altho' I was there when the "New" ones came on line, but had smartened up a tad and moved to Colliers

Corby I see you recently mentioned a John Appleyard if he served his time at Goole Shipyard when you see him please pass him my regards Wilf

Many thanks pedro.As I remember, the AHL ships like the York and Harrogate had the bridge and accommodation aft rather than amidships?

Hi Wilf. Will do. Although we now live 280 miles apart. I have met up with John more in the last 4 years than I have in the last 50. That's life.

Hamishs way of smartening up :) Like a lot of us would be financial on the lanky steamers we had to sell our bond cigs and baccy to make a few bob ;more overtime and better accomodation on the colliers.The old lankys would roll in a grass field(as the saying went)Living forward on the Alt we had a body and soul lashing consisted with a wire strung from the focsle to amidships a rope around the waist fastened to it and run like hell after she ship a wave over the top.OH Happy days

With you there Pedro! my first trip to sea, out of Goole was on the "Blisworth" (later the "Holdernidd, and built in 1902 as the Kathleen)lived forrad, and the same system to get aft, wait till she was coming up for air, take your life in your hands ,and leg it for the midships, many times stood my trick at the wheel wet!But by the same token one could get awful wet even living aft on one of Steve Clarkes east coast submarines The very forward AB's cabin on the "Blisworth" the top bunk,only had half a pillow, the rest off the space was taken up by the hawes pipe,imagine being "watch below"when some silly mate let the anchor go

I took a nostalgic walk along the river bank today (between showers) Noticed a pleasure craft high and dry on the sandbank
while I was watching the RNLI arrived they must have had a long trip as the nearest station is at Spurn Point.Other commitmets prevented me from seeing the outcome of the rescue,Hopefully the boat would refloat as the tide came in.Still aware how treacherous this river can be to weekend sailors.And of course the debt of gratitude we owe the RNLI.

re alan andersons query on the tenacity.My dad Frank Huntington served on the Tenacity during the war ,and he told me another 'Goolie' shipmate was Slippy Marshal,no doubt your wifes father.They spent some time in Halifax Nova Scotia where the rescue tug was based to tow any damaged ships running the North Atlantic convoys back into port.Somewhere I have some photographs but it may take some time to find them.I will keep you posted.

To Frank Huntington. My uncle Billy Ash was also on the tug Tenacity. He died in 1973. I have read your families write up in Mike Marshes Goole at War 2. I was intrigued. First of all my father lived at no. 10 Mason Terrace from the age of 11 When his father died. Could you tell me what lot your grandfather George was in in the Great War?My father, and grandfather were coal trimmers working for Kettlewells.and later checkers I know my brothers and sisters spoke of your family. all being of similar ages. My brother, Jim served on the Royal Oak, Revenge,Orion & Montclare

Search starlight publishing go to ships there are numerous Goole oldies along with some crews photos inc Tenacity.

Hello Stuart,Reference the posting on your Web'(Ships) from Frank Huntington, 24.4.'08.Frank is quite right that 'SlippyMarshall' was my wifes father and a crew member of HMRT TENACITY.You can give Frank my e-mail add. as I have some Archive material from St.Johns in Canada to do with TENACITY where the Tug and crew are still honoured to this day in a yearly 'Toast' and tribute to them in a harbourside club.Pedro mentions Starlight publishing as a source of photo's,I will have another look there.An old friend of mine that some of you will know in the 'Ship world',Dennis Farrar is also helping me to find a decent photo of TENACITY.Pedro and I have been in contact on this research and we know she was in Canada for a lot of years towing 'Logs' when she was the 'RIVTOW VIKING' Keep up the chatter and 'Info' "It's good to talk!"

Alan, email sent to Frank with your contact details.

There seems to be a photo of the tug on http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1113940

I have the same photo sent it to Alan

To Wilf. Hi Wilf John sends his regards and remembers you well as being one of the older apprentices when he started at the shipyard. John and I have long conversationed on Marine engines. He relives the trips when he went deep sea. Punching the ebb going up the St. Lawrence. You need a good engine under you at times like that. My experience was being involved with smaller craft. But one in particular craft had 3 -20 cylinder 3,000 horse Merc. engines which propelled it at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The need for this craft was to carry 20 tons of cigarettes! Happy days.

Hi Corby I would think ear defenders would be the order of the day on that craft. Re John A, many thanks for the contact with him, I'm sure I've heard him mentioned by my brother in law John H from Ripon and we wondered if he knew John had died in Dec 05. Regards Wilf. (wilfredbrown@tiscali.co.uk )

fishing vessel--SUPERB

AM tracing my family tree and from info provided from my grand-mother it seems her grandfather FREDERICK BUCK was drowned whilst at sea aboard this vessel---how can i find records re ships crew to confirm this story and is there anywhere i can see a picture of the boat itself??
fleetwood museum website has forwarded a posting from this site dated 09/11/07 which mentions the vessel but how do i investigate further?
thanks

for Rachel if you go to feedback archive ships on left of the page.You can see the original posting by George.Unless he has more info it shows her as a ketch built at howdendyke 1871 by banks

Rachel you would be hard pressed to find an actual photo of her
But to give you some idea look at humber working craft top right of page you will sketches of Ketch rigged fishing craft etc.

Greetings Pedro!!
Any news on my old friend Billy the Guy?

For the moment, comments on this page are moderated due to the large amount of automated spam that is appearing. I'm sure none of you contributors need Viagra, so I'll keep the page moderated until the spam dies down - hopefully in the next few weeks

Hamish I hear Billys ok at the moment I will keep you informed But Barbados beckons leaving on the 19th may see you all in 5 weeks time and catch up on posting .

Thanks for that Pedro,You have a safe and happy trip, rumour has it the have good rum there

Hamish yes these old ex sailors orders in my book Captain Morgan and Mountgay

Does anyone remember a visit to Goole by the Royal Navy in 1953? It was to celebrate the Coronation and I am pretty sure that one of the ships was a submarine. Would like to know what the other ship/ ships were.

I remember HMS Tresspasser T class submarine in goole docks
can't exactly remember dates but next time I saw her was in the Indian ocean and that was definately 1954 after her visit.
I seem to recall other RN ships visiting and believe photos can be found in the library museum at Goole.

Thanks for that information Pedro. I will certainly look in the library museum when next visiting Goole.

Pedro,
Stay safe and enjoy your trip.
David L-J

HMS TRESPASSER, yes she did visit but a bit earlier than you mention, a fine photo of her in Ocean Lock on 16 July 1949 is in the archives at the Waterways Museum. I have a copy here if anyone interested.

has any one photoes of the elizabeth lysaght one of stephenson&clarks and the old steam ship selby,not the new mv selby.i was on them both in 1957 as an a.b

Ken ,Good picture on WWW.Ships nostalgia.com of the "Elizabeth Lysaght" You know I sailed on a few Stevie Clark ships, but never heard of this one before

hamish. thanks for the mv elizabeth lysaght and how to find the picture.out of 27 ships i sailed on , deepsea and coastal ,i now have 24 pictures out of the 27.all i need now to complet the set,are
the old ss selby
the whitby abby
the mv maple dell one of canadian pacific steam ships
thanks for your help ken

Ken I was surprised that the "Selby" was not on this site see Rversea top right hand corner this page. But I did find her on shipsnostalgia.com, click on gallery, then in the search panel put in Selby, you will have to wade through three or four pages of tugs etc, but she is there ,and looks like a cracker of a photo cheers H ps Did you sail out of Goole?

SELBY 1922-1958
She is not on Riversea under 'Shipowners of Goole' section because ... she was a Hull registered ship!
Built for Wilson's and North Eastern Railway Co.'s joint venture into shipping, later of course under the AHL Hull fleet.

MAPLEDELL
Small postcard views of her as BEAVERDELL and as MAPLEDELL on this page ...

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CP4.html#anchor224857

WHITBY ABBEY
Have several photos, e-mail me
shipshull@shipshull.karoo.co.uk

Thanks for the info George, always thought she was one of AHL's.And Ken there is also a photo of Beaverdell-Mapledell on shipsnostalgia with a little history, I was looking for her as "Maple Dell "untill georges post pointed out it was all one word cheers H

hamish
thanks for s.s. selby sight, a good picture. i sailed out of goole from 1957-1961, that is when i married a hull girl and whent home trade out of goole. before that i sailed out of london .ships i signed on in goole were,amity, fredrick t everard,authenticity, amitiy , s.s. selby,aire ,i was on the wheel when she sank at saltmarsh,elizabeth lysaght,whitby abbey,selectivity,byland abbey, and the new then
m.v selby
thanks again ken

george
thank you for the mapeldell sight , i am now putting them in an album whith a few words as to where i went on them. i think i can remember that far back. thank you again for your help. ken

AIRE
Ken I have a set of the AIRE wreck from Charlie Hill, e-mail me if you are interested. Charlie is always happy to share his photos!

Greetings Ken! I was on the "Aire" for three months in May 1956, a happy little ship ,Capt Collier was master and Dennis Tute was mate, also a good friend of mine George Cannon was an AB,ran to Ghent ,Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, week about.The pictures by Charlie Hill that george mentions ,about the wreck are very good(I have them someplace)bring back a lot of memories, Take care H

hamish, may 56 i was on the mv polamhall,newcastle steam ship co. heading for canada,montreal,for a cargo of grain back to avenmouth.jack collier was still captain when i was on the aire.he was a gentelman.i cannot remember if i sailed with george cannon or met him around goole but i did know him. george moody ,and brian ellertson, come to mind allso.

KEN

I have recently found my GGG grandfather Richard Robinsons Voyages for 1854. His departure was on a vessle called Fullerton from Goole. I wonder if anyone has any information, it looks like the vessle went to London. In the 1861 census he was a master on a vessle called Active this was in the grimby Keel. I have not been able to find any seamans ticket number for Richard if anyone can give me an idea or help I would be very greatful
Regards
Dawn

Greetings Ken!
If you were deep sea then you must have still been shipping out of Hull? I lived in Leeds so most of my postings were to coastal boats( more OT, better grub and cabin a man)when the Goole Pool sent one afield ,it was Usually when they ,at the pool,where one was sent, were out of "victims" for some dog they could not man,had a couple of those ,till I smartened up and stayed on the coast, the AHL were not the best, time off for OT earned etc, but one did get more home time, and the colliers were great for OT take care H

Hi Hamish
Being from the south i sailed out of the London docks, my pool office was on Conought road.If i remember rightly it was just out side the King George dock.I only moved to Hull In 1957 when i got married,hence shipping out of Goole i was home more often.George R. has been very help full and found the last of the ships for me.I now have photos of every ship i sailed on.
Cheers Ken

For Dawn try digest magazine a knottingley website shows two sloops named Active built at Knottingley registered at Goole
Active No1 15th april1829
Active No2 1st sept 1846

Hi Pedro,
My diving friends believe that a sister ship of my dads ship the Rye is lying on a sand bank a bit further out to sea. The Rye is in a shipping channel approx 6 miles of Sea Palling, Norfolk, sunk by Herman Buchting in e/boat S27. I know it can't be the Ouse as that was sunk of Newhaven in convoy CW9 on the 8/8/1940 by the same officer that sank the Rye in e/boat S20. That means if it is a sister ship it must be a WW1 wreck, meaning either the Dearne which was lost in 1915 I believe, or the first Rye which lasted to 1918 I understand. I have looked on the imternet but can't find any information, I am hoping you can fill in the gaps for me.
Regards,
F.Gray

Well the Rye built 1914 and sunk by U boat 1918 by torpedo is listed as lying off Cap D'Antifer
The Dearne seized by germany 1914 and sunk in the North Sea 1915 on the 22dec was I guess still in german hands and sunk by the British navy Im afraid I cant find her exact position.

The Mersey was sunk 1940 by a mine off the Kent coast

Can anyone help? I am looking for a SSDione. On the 1881 census place for this ship was Flamborough.The ship had a crew of 19 men.So I believe it was quite large. What I would like to know is did it visit Goole? The steward's name was James Wright of Northallerton.My grandmother's father was James Wright who was at sea when the census took place. I am currently going through the Ships in port register to find this man

s.s. DIONE for Corby.

I am a bit puzzled by her being 'at Flamborough' in the 1881 census, perhaps they covered vessels sheltering there?
Anyway, while I cannot be definitive about the ship, this seems to be a likely candidate ...

Built 1868, 693grt, 191.1 feet x 29 feet, iron hull
Compound 2 cyl steam engine by Blair & Co., Stockton
Built by Richardson, Duck & Co. at Thornaby-on-Tees
launched as NORTH EASTERN but completed as DIONE for Richardson & Co., Hull
In LR 1905 she is owned by Tyne-Tees Steam Shipping Co., Stockton
Sold 1908 as PARAYAS
Sold 1909 as AURORA ... which name she retained for an extremely long life under the Spanish flag, being owned at Bilbao as late as 1964 when broken up, still with her original engine!
The Spanish were certainly expert at keeping old steamers going.

Thankyou George for that. It's a sign of the times. Nothing is made to last anymore

I'm ttrying to find/locate any possible info-blueprint-pictures on the ss ralph creyke 2, i allready tried many museums,archives,without succes...can anyone help?

Does anyone out there have a photo etc of the SS Alt, I understand it was used to evacuate troops from St. Malo during the Dunkirk evacuation. One group was the 106 Army Troop Company Royal Engineers from Doncaster any info please

Re SS Alt. Left Click on "The Ships" on right hand side towards top of "Goole on the Web" page. Left click on "Riversea" towards the top on RHSide. Scroll down to "Shipowners of Goole". Left click on "Part One The Railway Steamers" Scroll down, find, and left click on Alt 1911, its three quarters down the page.

RALPH CREYKE
Hi Stefan, I have only the details and photo which I think I sent to you, this page also has your photo of the wreck being guarded ...

http://www.riverseainternational.co.uk/hill/ralphcreyke1879.htm

Surfing the web came across this site brought back lots of memories I sailed out of Goole from 1950 -1955, mainly on the railway boats. ie ss Hodder Capt Collier, and Capt Allan (12 month in her) ss Alt can't remember the skipper, Fountains Abbey, I was motorman on her.

The last ship was the Aire Capt H Boyes I also sailed on the Lancasterbrook 1951-52 Capt H Lawson, good ship and good skipper. Any one out there remember the Dona Flora a real rust bucket a bad ship all round? I lost an old mate off her "Harry Martin". Any one know him he was a Goole man? I lived in Thorne.

Other names I remember are, Ginger Skinner He was Boson big lad had some good times ashore with him ,Old Vandatac, he spoke a few languages ,Bit of a loner

I was a fireman known as Tashy Campbell. I was also ex Royal Navy. Hope to get some response from some old ship mates. All the best

Hi George! Indeed you sent that info to me! we'll be diving her thursday or friday if conditions are ok,i'll keep u informed!

Stefan I hope you post your dive results here. I'm sure we are all interested in the outcome.

I have no idea where to start looking for information on my uncle whoes name is John (Jack) Johnson born in Widnes was a Gunner on a Merchant navy ship (started the war in the army passed out with my grandad (unbeknown) then mn was asking for volunteers to go in to mn which he did) he was a very tall man signed the forms him self as he was under age. can anyone give me a clue on any cargo ships sunk under attack in irish sea around 1940-1942. His Mother was called Mary Jane Johnson and his Dad was called Charlie Johnson. He had alot of brothers and sisters of which there's only 1 sister left alive somewhere in Canada. if any one has any ideas please e-mail me.

For Peter Roach, Winnipeg, Canada - re your comments on this Messenger Board 28/10/2007:
My grandfather, Even Evensen, born 1867, was captain onboard the Norwegian iron barque "Coimbatore", foundered after collision with "Zinita" on 25th December 1905 off Cape Leeuwin, W. Australia. 17 men from "Coimbatore" including my Grandfather, were lost. I have a number of Norwegian newspaper pages from 1906, with many details of the incident, including a letter, sent from Wallarroo, from the only survivor of "Coimbatore", junior seaman Klaus Olsen (18 years old. He succeeded in jumping on to the "Zinita" at the moment of impact.

I understand that you have come across a written diary of your Grandfather, W.D. Roach of "Zinita", devoting several pages of the day 25th December 1905. I would of course very much like to come into contact with you so that we could exchange information from that sad day.

I know that here is a large painting and a model of "Coimbatore" in the halls of the Seamen's Club of Porsgrunn, (100 miles from here) where the ship was registered. I am going to visit the club this fall together with my children.

For Keith Johnson

Keith, are you saying he was lost due to a sinking in the Irish Sea?
A quick look at Cheshire births/deaths on internet shows a John Johnson born 1925 and died 1940, both registered in the Runcorn sub-district of Halton .... could that be him?
If you can pin down the death date then that could lead to a ship from the War Loss records.

Just a Reminder
Every year Goole and District Mariners Association remembers seamen who sailed from Goole and did not return.This years service will take place at the Seamans Memorial on Lock Hill Hook Road,on Sunday,September 7th at 1pm.

I wonder if anyone can tell me the whereabouts of Clive Middleton.

Thanks Wilf for location of the picture of SS Alt it looks bigger than it felt with 2000 troops on board. Thank you again

Jn,
Your thread dated 30/07/08 concerning the Coinbatorie refers. Last year, using this informative site I made mention of the fact that I had my G/Fathers discharge papers from the above ship dated 1895. What I was seeking was info on the ship and any prints,photo's or paintings in existance.

I picked up on the history but hav'nt had much success with the latter.

By the way the Coinbatorie was my G/F's first ship and I think he joined her at about 12years of age.
Regards,
David L-J

I found your site by accident when looking up info on Goole as I am doing my family tree, I am looking for info on Thomas Watson, who I think was the Master of the" Cupro" out of Albert dock Hull early 1900's, he died in 1914, I am also looking for John (Jack ) Morris who died as the result of an accident in the dockyards (although he was on the railways) in about 1932. I'm also interested in getting in touch with Christine Rickards about a John Townsley as I may have photo of him and the SS Colne + crew. I'd be very grateful for any info anyone can help with. Brenda

Hello Brenda. If you have any more detail on John Morris. For instance was he 47 at date of death? This man could be my wifes grandfather's brother.One of a large family of railway workers living at Nego house Rawcliffe in the 1901 census. for more details email me at bill@bunting.me.uk

MATTHEW (aka JACK) GOFTON
1884-1956. My Grandfather was berthing master at Goole Docks after a long career at sea. I believe he and his family lived in East Parade which I know has now been demolished. I am looking for information about the ships he sailed on. Does anyone have any recollection of Matthew, I understand he was quite a character. Thanks

Does anyone recall the Sandringham Queen from back in the late 1950's, early 1960's? I sailed on her for a couple of months at that time but cannot for the life of me remember what company she belonged to or the funnel colours. Also, the Richmond Queen. Were they the same company?
Gary Worton

Gary same company Queenship Navigation Co 35 Crutchard Friars London.Buff funnel black top

Gary sorry Buff funnel red band black top Sandringham Queen was built at Goole Right of page click on Goole shipyard info see pic and info.

Gary ... Queens

Yes Gary, they belonged to Queenship Navigation which was part of the Coast Lines group, similar vessels, funnel was buff with red band below black top. Mainly in the coal trades.

SANDRINGHAM QUEEN built at Goole 1955, see details and photos on ...

http://www.riverseainternational.co.uk/goole/sandringhamqueen.htm

RICHMOND QUEEN by Clelands in 1958, renamed from SOMERSET COAST in 1959 on transfer within the group.

Re-Queenships spent many happy :( hours painting funnels of Roman-Windsor-Tudor-Celtic and Sandringham Queens.Gary regards to all in Canada.

Messaage for Brenda Tunnicliffe
I would love to hear from you and to receive any information or photographs of my grandfather John Townsley. My e-mail address is chris.townsley@tiscali.co.uk

can anyone remember ss humbergate?or mytongate?

My father, capt thomas william westerdale, sailed out of Goole on the Hodder and then on the butterboats Don and relieving skipper on the Dearn. His first diesel ship was Byland Abbey also of the Copenhagen run. Has anyone got a photo of either the don or dearn (not sure of spelling of dearn) or Byland Abbey. He also relieved on Fountains Abbey.

Hi Gordon If you left click on RIVERSEA in the top right hand of this THE SHIPS page RIVERSEA INTERNATIONAL appears. Scroll down to SHIP OWNERS OF GOOLE and left click onto PART ONE : The RAILWAY STEAMERS and down very near the bottom of the page you should find Don & Dearne built 1924, Bylands Abbey built 1956. You should also find the Hodder in the same area.

Hi Gordon. Regarding your request for details on AHL vessels, if you look back through this site you will see a few postings on sites regarding ship searches.
Hope you are well and still enjoying life in the Dales. Should you need to get in touch I am on johndepledge@hotmail.com

Has anyone any information about the SS Cottingham? I read today that she rammed a German submarine in 1815 which later sank. The submarine was raised by the British as a trophy and I wondered if she was a Goole registered ship. I know that my great grandfather served on her around 1911 which suggests that she was.

Christine click on Goole Shipyard info top right all info here plus photo

Hi Gord;
Regarding your submission about your dad, Capt. Westerdale, I had the pleasure of sailing under his command on the 'Byland Abbey' for quite a few trips between 1959 and 1961. He was quite a guy. Firm but fair. I also have photos of the Byland. If I can figure out a way to send you copies, I will. I am not a computer nerd yet, but I'm trying.

Does anyone have any information on the SS Aldinga (EX GLENSTAL). In service 1939-1945. My brother served on this vessel and I would like any information please. After leaving this vessel he joined the American small ships Rufus King. Any info greatfully accepted thanks.

Does anyone in the Goole area know of Gilbert Barley who wrote some interesting booklets in the 90's on the old Associated Humber Lines aka the Lanky's to Goole folk - my father sailed on most of them - Whitby Abbey, Kirkham Abbey (butter boat) Rother, Don, Selby, Wakefield, Leeds, York and Darlington -as well as the Melrose Abbey and the Bolton Abbey out of Hull Riversid Quay

ref Martin Smith's recent post seeking information about Gilbert Barley and the publications he produced on the AHL fleet, I too would be very interested in obtaining copies.Wonder if Goole Library or the Waterways Museum can assist?

FAO of Peter - I have both booklets - one titled The Lanky's 36 pages-1990 and the other is titled A.H.L 40 pages with no date of printing - full of information and photo's - the author Gilbert Barley once worked in the AHL offices and refers to my father in the AHL book - both are described as books in the Marshland Local History series and a contact address for ordering as follows -bear in mind this from 18 or so years ago.

Mr L Turner
Westfield
Crowle Road
EASTOFFT
Scunthorpe

I attended the goole seamans memorial service today,although I am from leeds, i sailed out of goole in the early fifties for nearly five years ,so I consider my self a goole seaman! this was the first time to attend the service, the garden was most impressive ,and well kept ,(I understand by volunteers), quite a good turn out,but not like the old days of steam ,the river and docks so quiet, thats progress??

Paul campbell

Just perusing the Goole Shipyard info took another look at the Darwin built1957.I went onboard her in 1959 when she was running from the Falklands to Montevideo.Note she was arrested
in Bermuda and scutttled 1983 I would love to know the rest of this story i/e WHY?

Ahoy Paul!
I too Lived in Leeds and sailed out of Goole in the early fifties, sailed with Jimmmy Cooper, Arther Mason,Peter Olley to name a few more Leeds lads. AHL.Stevie Clarke, BEA. Kettlewells.all regular Goole callers Wish we were back in them days!!Hailed from Crossgates along with Peter Olley, Arther and Jimmy were from Halton, take care H

I enjoyed reading your site. Perhaps you could help me find my great grandfather. He was listed as living in Goole in the 1901 Census. Living in a boarding house. married but no family listed with him. Age 52, born in North Frodingham; an "X AB seaman". That is the last I have of him. I don't know what ship he might have been on; or when; or how long a seaman. In 1886 his wife left him and went to the United States. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

DARWIN

Pedro, all I can trace is that she arrived as DANIA at Bermuda 'under escort' on 21/3/1979, was arrested in 2/1980 then scuttled 15/8/1983.
Presume she had been up to no good (drug running maybe)?

Yes George she was kept by the authorities quite a few years before the decision to make a reef of her.I was on the Highland Brigade (royal mail)In Montevideo she came alongside us to transfer mail from Falklands I recognised the Goole Shipbuilding plaque on her bridge went aboard and met the skipper a dour scot at that time.Yes she had a colourful career indeed.She also brought passengers from the Islands came back with us to the UK mostly blokes to serve an appenticeship in Joinery.

I wonder how many watched,as I did the other night the BBc programme Who do think you are,the subject or victim on this occasion being David Suchet.
I happened to pick up,whilst he was researching his GG/father that when checking the Lloyds Reg for 1860 odd there was an entry above the ship he was looking for that being "THE THREE BROTHERS"Reg at Goole,foundered on the Suffolk coast near to Southwold.
Now I ask.Do the sages of Goole have an answer for me?
Regards
David L-J.

I am looking for info on Thomas Watson, bargeman, on 1881 census he was master of the Frederick Wm out of Albert Dock Hull, and on 1901 census he was master of the Cupro also Albert Dock Hull. Would also appreciate info on both vessels many thanks .Brenda

re "fountains abbey", i went with other crew members to aberdeen take delivery of her for ahl late 54, on arrival at aberdeen we found she broken down on trials and was still at sea. this meant we had to stay overnight at the seamans mission. on arriving at goole we were berthing at west dock south to load for amsterdam,to bring her up to ease alongside the rang down for slow astern but we went slow ahead instead thereby clouting the quay pretty smartly.on passage to amsterdam somewhere south of the wash the fuel pump(engine) packed in and the watch on deck when not at the wheel was down in the engine room hand pumping the fuel (i know because i did it) till we put it to yarmouth,pretty eventful start for new ship eh! if you want to know anything about the fire my mate mike spence is a survivor from it

Hi David I watched the same programme with interest.Most surprised that David Suchet was unaware he had a master mariner in his family tho.I have also visited the same lifeboat museum at Southwold found lots of Goole related Mariners here.
from GOOLE and MARSHLAND GAZETTE
1st December 1855 sloop THREE BROTHERS
The vessel Three Brothers of Goole foundered off Sherringham
Norfolk,with the loss of all hands including her master Joseph Howard.
My own research shows her as built 1828 by Joseph Teal of WAKEFIELD owners at the time George and Benjamin Howard of Knottingley probably the captains family (this is only my guess)

ref Martin Smith's query ( and my own on the same topic) on the publication about the AHL fleet by Gilbert Barley, I have confirmed with the Yorkshire Waterways Museum at Goole that copies can be consulted in the reference library. The publication(s) was co authored by Ted Wild.

See also Martin Smith's message on 07/09/2008. Sorry for not approving his message straightaway, but I was trying dig out my copy of the booklet to confirm the details.

i remember humbergate i was galley/messroom boy around 52, by the way are you manfred reich?

re tom lofthouse, i sailed with a "poppy" lofthouse in the rother, why poppy i didn't know but he was a card and a good shipmate, one thing i remember too he had with him a helicrafter radio and could receive anything from almost anywhere in the world, sorry to hear he's not with you any more

Does anyone remember AHL Captain's Joe Blackburn, Bill Laverack and Captain Collier as my father rated them as the best he sailed with - I know that first two were Goole men - my dad used to say any Master who could sail to to Goole without a pilot were called "Goolies" !!

Martin - Use the left-hand Movers & Shakers link in the Feedback Archive section for some memories of Captain Laverack 25/03/2006 and 01/11/2006

For Martin Smith, re Joe Blackburn
Sea Breezes v45 no308 August 1971, pages 600-603, had an article about Joe Blackburn, title A Master and his Ship. Capt. Joe Blackburn and the "Melrose Abbey". It has an account of his career, and also his photograph. He was born in Goole in 1911. I kept a copy because I thought he might belong to the family of my own Blackburn ancestors, but I am now fairly sure there were two Blackburn lines in the Swinefleet/Old Goole area, and he belonged to the other one.

Also, re Capt Laverack, I seem to remember an article about him in the Goole Times around 3-6 months ago.

I sailed with Captain Collier on the "Aire" back in the fifties,and I concur with your Dad , He was a gentleman and a scholar and a great mariner, the Mate at the time was a Dennis Tute who went to become a Goole pilot, whom I suspect got most of his river "schooling" from Jack Collier

Goole Times Article: http://www.gooletimes.net/news/5942/life_of_former_goole_captain_remembered

The Joe Blackburn article is in the files of Goole-Gen on Yahoo Groups - see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goole-Gen/files/Sea%20Breezes%20-%20Joe%20Blackburn/

Hamish
there were as you probably know two Captain Colliers, my dad served as 1st mate and relief captain with Tom Collier who was captain on the Marlwood.
I knew Denis Tute he was a colleague of my dads and as recorded previously he died quite some time ago, I think it would have been in the 80's not long after my dad.

Ahoy Geoff.
Yes I was aware of the two Captain Colliers, but as Martin made reference to the "AHL" ships ,I assumed he meant Jack Collier. The Marlwood(and excuse the pun) was a collier

Geoff
Mention of the Marlwood reminded me of the discussion we (and Brian Sheppard) had about this vessel in 2006. My interest is that my dad (Joe Stewart)was ship's cook between 1951- 53 and I visited the ship as a young child. I would be interested if any of the more recent visitors of this site have any further memories of the Marlwood.

Marlwood I last went onboard her to see a shipmate from Goole
in 1954 she was discharging coal in Deptford Creek Woolwich.
She was built in 1924 named Fellside owners Connell and Grace
sold to Atkinson and Prickett in 1930 renamed Swandale
W France Fenwick bought her in 1938 renamed Marlwood
Broken up at Dunston 1957

My dad left the Marlwood in 1951 and was discharged from the Merchant Navy at his own request to become a Goole Pilot (Hull to Goole). He first joined the Marlwood on 12 March 1946 and served as 1st mate continuously till 9 June 1950. At this time the Marlwood went into dry dock at Sunderland. Dad sailed on the Bestwood for one trip before rejoining the Marlwood while she was in dry dock. At that time my mum brother and I spent a week on board in Sunderland. She sailed on 14 August 1950.
I have my fathers "Continuous Certificate of Discharge" which records all of his voyages from the Empire Leopard which he joined on 25 June 1941 to him leaving the Marlwood. I also have a record of his previous ships including Temple Pier joined May 35, the Yokefleet and the Thomas Walton in which he was torpedoed in Dec 1939, he then joined the Frances Dawson for 3 trips before the Empire Leopard. He later served on the Trevarian, the Winona, Seafisher and Helmwood.
If anyone has recollections or photographs of these boats I would be pleased to hear from them (I have photos of the Marlwood and the dry dock at Sunderland) .
I am particularly interested to find out what voyages these boats did in the war, he appears to have made one trip on the Trevorian from May 42 to Oct 43 and I know he was in Suez during this trip ( I have his original mShore Leave Pass dated 27 April 1943, I think she went to the far east but I have no proof.

Re Pedro account of the Marlwood and her previous name the Swandale. I have just been reading a press cutting re my great grandfather Captain Thompson Flower Depledge from the Goole Times at the occasion of his death in 1946. It recalls his career and remarkably the fact that he later in his career joined Messrs Atkinson & Prickett his last command being the Swandale. He was 68 when he retired in 1935, he died in March 1946 the month my father started on the then Marlwood.

Hamish

You are right I was referring to Jack Collier who was also a Captian in the Wavy Navy - hence his commands flew a blue ensign - when the

Geoff. It is possible to find out what voyages these ships did in the war using the details in the Continuous Certificate of Discharge to access the relevant Ships Log Books and Crew Agreements. These are now kept at the National Archives (former Public Records Office) at Kew. It costs nothing to consult them now. When I researched my Dad's war history they were kept by a different department in Cardiff and they charged me a lot of money (more than £60) just to look at them.I think one of the reasons they are preserving these documents is so that they can verify any remaining requests for medals which former merchant seament are entitled to, my Dad did not claim his until 1984.

Jack Collier was commodore of AHL he was RNR and in possession of the government warrant and as such could fly the blue ensign.I sailed with him many times his uniform quite distinct from other officers with gold chain link braid around the hat and epelets.(and quite smart he looked)I myself was RNVR in the early 1950s but must admit thiis was mainly for the extra money a couple of weeks traning at Pompy a year with trawler men from Hull was just a jolley for a single guy.I had a lot of respect for captain Collier truly a gentlman.

Bill thanks for the info I am going to London next month and may be able to visit Kew

Geoff, ok good hunting. If you want me to check anything give me a shout. I live quite close to the National Archives and have a reader's ticket.
Bill

re Jack Collier RNVR - my father sailed around the Med in 1968 with Jack Collier when Ellerman's chartered the York - he recalled the inordinate interest the Russian/Israeli spy ships took in the York due to her Blue Ensign - my dad said Captain Collier was heavily involved in Operation Torch (invasion of North Africa) and planned much of the landings.

Pedro,Thanks for the info ref "The Three Brothers".No disrespects to your self Pedro because I feel I can give you a few years but it is heartening to occasionally find a like mind.One thing I can't stand is when talking to someone I'm suddenly aware that they are looking over my shoulder with a glazed look in their eye,surely I'm not that boring.
It is reassuring that the Binnacle Light still shines despite the occasional "Sea Fret" wafting accross.
Take care,
David L-J.

I notice David Lea -Jackson refers to sea fret in his last post - but my dad and grandad always referred to a "sea rauk" - always thought a sea fret was a Brid word whilst sea rauk was a Humber word?

Sea Fret= damp sea mist cloudy us old timers :)

In Hull and out toward With/Spurn we say Sea Rauk - old Norse for the spume/mist thrown up by the sea - a classic Rauk is where is can be blue skies and sunny inland -yet at sea and up to a mile or so inland it is cold and misty. The point is I thought fret was a Bridlington/Scarborough/West Riding word as we certainly don't use it on the humber.

I've just been going over some of the old submissions and comments from earlier on in the year. Of particular interest to me were the ones concerning the latter day AHL ships, e.g. the Abbey (butter) boats and the other "newer" deisel fuelled ones.
Regarding the Fountains Abbey incident when she caught fire in the North Sea; I was on the Kirkham Abbey, homeward bound from Copenhagen, and although we picked up the ... _ _ _ ... we were too far away to be of any use. We were, I recall, kept up to date from the bridge, via various AB`s, of which I was one, coming and going to the wheel-house at hourly intervals. Consequently, we were aware of the "Abandon Ship" order by Captain Wooler. There were a couple of things that have not been mentioned in the postings so far: One was that two crew members unfortunately lost their lives whilst in the lifeboat; it being drawn under the stern rubbing band due to the heavy seas and crushed. Fortunately the rest of the crew were able to pull clear before further damage occurred. Too late, however, for the Bo's'n, who's nickname was 'Spike', and Gordon(?) Gillmartin, a Motorman, who both sustained fatal injuries. Also not mentioned was the fact that Captain Wooler was in the lifeboat urging the Second Mate to jump! He was still up on the bridge. Whatever happened to the Captain being the last to leave? He was then hailed as a hero when they were later picked up! Lose a ship, win a medal, go figure!
Finally, about the other AHL ships at the time that were named for Yorkshire towns. I sailed on the Darlington and Wakefield, (1959); York and Leeds, (1961/62). The others were the Wakefield, Selby and Harrogate. The latter being (re)named the Harrogati Maru by my old shipmate Nev (Spats) Suttcliffe, who I believe was on the Fountains Abbey on its last fateful trip. (Is he still kicking around?) These ships were all identifiable by the bridge and superstructure aft, and tripod mast between the two hatches. They were almost identical except for the York, which had 'goal-post' masts just forward of the bridge, and an extra pair of derricks. That's all for now folks, hope I didn't bore you too much.

Hi Gary sorry but Neville (the devil) Sutclffe crossed the bar some 8-10 years ago along with a few you may remember Pete Bulmer-Hughie Hughes-Harry Skinner-Bomber Robinson-Tommy Leighton-Lol Woolass and many more now remembered on the Lock Hill memorial.
Fred Wooler never commanded the respect paid to other old time skippers.

Regarding my posting of 26 Oct. I made a slight error in describing the AHL ships, Darlington; Leeds etc. They had 'bipod' masts and not 'tripod' as stated. Silly me!
On a more serious note, thanks Pedro for the general update. Sorry to hear about all the guys who have crossed the bar over the last few years. It seems like only yesterday that we were all doing the rounds on 'full-board day'.

GOOLE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPOWNING

The sections previously on my 'Riversea' website are now installed on a new independent site at

http://www.gooleships.co.uk/index.htm

Please bookmark this in your favourites!

All additional photos and information about Goole ships is very welcome.

Hi, I wonder if anyone has any ships that had a seaman or captain/master by the name of John Pool/Poole. John was born around 1835 England but we are not sure of the area. Captain John Pool was reported to have fallen over board from 'FLOWN' and was feared drowned by his employers Freear & Dix of Sunderland. I have a copy of the telegram sent to my great great grandmother dated 21st April 1898 of the coast of Bridport. Anyone having any information can contact me at mightyminx49@hotmail.com Many Thanks in anticipation.

Joan Williamson

All you ex AHL blokes out their - can you tell me the name of the Chief Steward of the Wakefield in 1968/69 - I sailed as young kid on the Melrose Abbey, Leeds, Wakefield, Whitby Abbey and Darlington in the late 60's early 70's - I am eternaly grateful as he cured me of sea sickness - bacon banjo and brown source - was he called Hawksworth I think and was the spitting image of Charlie Drake.

Has anyone got any information about S.S. Gwynwood which was sunk by Parachute Mine on 4.2.41 whilst at anchorage on the Humber? Any information much appreciated. My father-in-law's brother was killed in the incident.

GWYNWOOD

Built 1937, 1177grt by S.P.Austin, Sunderland (344) for Wm. France, Fenwick. Damaged by bombing in the Barrow Deep 26/1/1941. Sunk by a mine in the Humber anchorage on 4/2/1941

Photos will be rare but have a partial view of her loading coal at Goole, e-mail me for a copy shipshull@shipshull.karoo.co.uk

Hi George,
Many thanks for the reply. I am very interested in Gwynwood. My wife's uncle who came from Sunderland was killed when it was struck by Parachute Mine in the Humber. Details however appear to be limited. A picture would be fabulous as the family doesn't possess one. I'm also wondering if it is possible to get co-ordinates of where she was sunk? We we would love to visit with my father in law who has always wanted to visit the site where his brother was killed. Are there any other sources that you are aware of where I may be able to ascertain any other further details? I am so grateful for your reply and assistance. Thank you very much.
Shaun.

looking for information on a ship called MV Dundee from Dundee Scotland around years 1960/ 1963 looking a crew member for family records anyone that sailed on that ship please contact me roxanne mcdonald

Hi Shaun,Go to http:www.photoship.co.uk Click on browse the oldship picture galleries with thumb nails there is a picture of the Gwynwood at anchor if you cant get send me an e-m and i'll forward it on to you Ed

Does anyine remember Harker's barge the "Margery H"?
In the 1950s it was often moored in Barge dock near Laing's sugar refinery. It had a brass plate on its stern rail saying that it had taken part in the Dunkirk evacuation, found at the end of the war in a damaged condition, repaired and restored to its owners. Often wondered what happened to it, or if it was scrapped, was the brass plate saved?

I've inquired at the Waterways museum and they knew nothing of it.

Also what happened to the 4 masted barque "Archibald Russell" which was moored in West dock throughout the war?

Glynne - Click on the Archive link at the top of the page and scroll down to 26/08/2007 for some comments about the ARCHIBALD RUSSELL

My Great Uncle, Mr Alex Flett was the master of the Sandringham Queen cargo ship for many years, has anyone out there got any photos information etc on this ship.

Sandringham Queen go to Goole shipyard info top right of page
Goole Built all the info you need

I am trying to trace a photo of the SS Edlington that was sunk of 70 miles off Sicily on the 23rd September 1918. She was torpedoed by a German submarine UC54 - Captain Otto Loycke. Fortunately the crew were all saved including my Grandfather Alexander McLoram from Hull, who died before I was born.

Welcome Home Pedro!! Hope you had a good holiday cheers H

Thanks Hamish good to be back but not enjoying Goole weather.
Altho some of the old salts here now enjoying the rum of Barbados.Regards to all in Canada

Ref,FAXFLEET,1951.My wifes dad,Herbert Christie Marshall,A.K.A. "Slippy Marshall" sailed on the FAXFLEET and whilst moored at Terneuzen he fell from the gang plank and was killed.We think he was buried in Flushing.Could there be any more information or memories out there?

Hi Alan I remember the accident I had just joined the Irwell.I have no real info at present but put out a few feelers.Hopefully will come up with something.Altho my brother and I seem to think the grave is actually in Terneuzen village.I have your E-Mail will be in touch.

Does anyone remember Frank Schultz sailing out of Goole he was an AB on the Monkwood, Tudor Queen, Cold Harbour, Corglen, Fawdon, Dona Flora, Irwell, Dearne, Don, Hebble, Fountains Abbey, SS Selby, Whitby Abbey, Macclesfield, Poole Sound and Poole River before going to Port Line in 1962 then Esso in 1967

This is a very interesting site!
Has anyone got, or can point me to, information concerning a relative - John Drury - captain of the Mark Phar of Goole in 1871. Any information of the vessel itself would also be most welcome. She had a crew of 4 or 5.
thanks, Paul

Greetings Transportman! Your buddy Frank didn't miss too many of the "Lanky" boats, but it is a pity you don't have any dates for his time on them, I was on three, the "Don' included, a great little ship even if the company left a little to be desired, the only Schultz I sailed with was either a bosun or on the dock crew for AHL

For Paul Scott

I have a note of a sailing vessel MARK THAT built at Goole in 1853, 119 tons, owned in 1862 by Drury & Co.
This is I think from an extract of the Goole Register held at the Waterways Museum.
Could be the vessel you seek?

Hi Hamish, The "Lanky" boats Frank sailed on were:- Irwell 8.8.1949 to 6.8.1953; Dearne 7.8.1953 to 18.8 1953; Don 11.9.1953 to 23.9.1953;Hebble 25.9.1953 to 4.10.1954; Fountains Abbey 13.10.1954 to 13.1.1955; SS Selby 13.1.1955 to 17.6.1955; Aire 2.8.1955 to 8.8.1955; back on the Selby 15.8.1955 to 24.4 1956; Whitby Abbey 24.4 1956 to 18.10.1956; Selby again 24.10.1956 to 15.1.1957; Don Goole to Hull 16.1.1957;back on the Selby 28.1.1957 to 9.7.1957; Macclesfield 10.7.1957 to 18.7.1957 and Hebble 25.7.1957 to 6.8.1957.

Transportman, missed your buddy by about a month on the "Don" I was on her for the month of July 53 and the "Aire"I missed by about a year I was on her from Feb till July 56, in fact she was my next to last ship before emegrating to Canada, I sailed on the "Polden" for about a year after the "Aire". The other AHL I was on was the "Blyth" for Sept Oct 52

Back in 2008 Hamish mentioned MV Blisworth, previously Kathleen, subsequently Holdernidd and we have now found another MV Blisworth built Aberdeen 1957/8 for Grand Union [Shipping] Ltd. London.
Can anyone tell us their fate,are there more Blisworth's and why name a ship after Blisworth, a small Northamptonshire village miles from the sea whose only water connection is the Grand Union canal.

Hi Hamish, I see from one of your postings that you relocated to Canada sometime in the late fifties. Albeit a bit before I did. I didn`t emigrate until 1981, thanks to Maggie Thatcher, but that`s another story.
Where abouts did you finish up? I have lived in Cambridge, Ontario since moving here. If you have a mind to, drop me an e-mail (wortong@yahoo.com) as long as you don't try to sell me anything, or tell me I am the lucky winner of 50,000,000 British pounds in the Nigerian State Lottery or something! Only kidding of course.
Same goes for anyone else who happens to read this submission. Always glad to hear from any of the old Goole crowd from that era.

With the economic situation being what it is I can only say that once again those who lead our country whilst they may have studied history they hav'nt learned from it.A classic case was my father.According to what my mother told me,during the 30's my dad who by that time had obtained his M/Cert,deep sea was laid off by Andrew Weir(Bank Line) and in order to earn a living took a job on Goole docks heaving coal as to how long he did it for I have no idea sufficient to say it was fortunate that his father in law Joseph Lea was able to offer him a posting as his 1st Mate on the LOWLAND. I know he did several trips to Holland,Delfzijl and Harlingen but eventually my dad left the LOWLAND to take command of the COMLIEBANK.
This is history but those of us who are "FOSSILS" this is repetition at its worst.

I have a discharge book R259227 Thomas Gibbons ( my maternal grandfather) first entry "Ouse" Goole 8.8.1940, vessel sunk by enemy action. Further info would be interesting, thanks

There's a entry for the OUSE on the Riversea Website http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/lancs/ouse1911.htm

Looks Like the "Comliebank" survived the war at least, built 1924 and in the Bankline fleet till 1959

I'm looking for info on the Fountains Abbey It was one of my dad's (also called Bill Ligg) old ships. Dad's now in his early 70s. He sailed out of Goole where he still lives

Hamish,Looks like my dad drew the short straw,on leaving the Comliebank he went to the Cederbank and within a few months of the war starting she went down.I for one am a great fatalist.

Bill,I noted your thread ref your dad.It was the surname that interested me.My maternal grandmother was a Ligg,she came from a small village in north Lincs called Garthorpe on the Isle of Axholme.

Hi David . My grans maden name was ligg when dad was born she later married harold cawthorne [winky] and the rest i dont know

Bill Ligg scroll down the page all the info posted previously on Fountains Abbey

Dave been in touch with dad .his granys madern name was Cook she married a BILL SAXLBY FROM SAXLBY in lincs .He was a boat man .But dosnt know where ligg came in to it . I hope this is of help THANKS

Please can anyone tell me what happened to the SS Rother in 1943. A cousin of my grandmothers called George Arthur Osburn was lost at sea on April 28th 1943. There is a memorial to him on the site of the Commonwealth War Graves yet the Rother still seemed to be around in 1956.

Ahoy Pedro!! Any updates on "the Cannon" or the"Guy"regards H

Hi Hamish nothing heard from George believe hes still under his wifes thumb she wont let him interact with us common seamen lol.The Guy still hanging in there but housebound and not to well.Regards to all in Canada

SS Rother built 1914 scrapped 1956

Thanks for that Pedro!! What ails the "Guy" his past catching up, or just old age?Never sailed with him, but I bet he would have been a great shipmate!!Give him my regards if you do run into him,and if he is vague as to who I am, tell him to look at his fingers regards H

Any information please on Elmit Cook 1st. officer SS Frankfort 1901 Later Master. Also his father John. Ships and shipping lines sailed on. Thankyou.

to pedro .read the piece on fountains abby ,but it does not say what happened to her or were she ended up. all i have found out is she caught fire some time in the 1950s , and thats all thanks

Billy Ligg Fountains Abbey caught fire at sea 12th Feb 1962.Ships master F.Wooler from Hull ship abondend total loss.
Broken up at Bruges the following month March.

to pedro thanks for the info. will pass on to dad

Regarding Billy Ligg`s query about the MV Fountains Abbey and her subsequent fate: As previously stated, she was abandoned in the North Sea after fire broke out in the forward hold, starboard side. I believe it was due to a combination of bad loading and negligence. Apparently barrels of gun cotton broke free and mixed with other cargo components, causing a chemical reaction which resulted in the ensuing inferno.
After she was abandoned, she floated freely until the fire eventually burned itself out. She was then boarded by a crew of Dutch salvage experts who towed her into Rotterdam, and spent the next few days whooping it up on the spoils. Meanwhile, fearless Fred (Wooler), having lost a ship and two crew members, revelled in his new found glory, whilst his wife Flo polished his medal for him. I do not recall any heads rolling over this incident, although it was quite an issue at the time. it Kinda makes you wonder, does it not?
Hope this clears up a few points for you Billy, I`m sure that there are still a few folks in town who could elaborate further if they were asked, but maybe they would just as soon let sleeping dogs lie!

to gw that helps me loads . it closes a gap ive been trying to close for some time now.Thanks alot

Can anyone give any information (crew lists or anything) about 2 ships my grandfather John William Hughes sailed on from Goole

1) SS Berlin (Off. No. 98383) joined 6/1/1905.
2)SS Douglas (Off. No. 122958) joined 9/4/1907.

Also anyone familiar with Certificate of Discharge books. JWH's address is given on the last page of the book (Page heading Notice to Seamen). Would this be the address he had when he first signed on? And is it possible to find where the discarge book was issued?

Grateful for any help.

Glynne Hughes

Hi, just been looking at site with my dad Eric Hill. He worked at the shipyard and sailed on the Don(1949), Elizabeth Lysard, Sylvia Beale, William Cash and the Barford. He recalls some of the names that have been putting messages on site, including Pedro, (is this a nickname?) and Corby Bunting. Does anyone know my dad? Would like to hear. Please put any info on this site.

Glynn,

There's info on the BERLIN and DOUGLAS on the Goole Ships site:

http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/yorkshire/berlin1891.htm
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/lancs/douglas1907.htm

Hi Kerry. I don't know where your dad knew me from. I didn't work at the shipyard and also did not go to sea. He'll probably know Pedro from his days at sea. I went to the Alex and Modern School. Left school in 1949. I lived in Stanley St. and Malvern Rd. Ask him. Bye

Great page I like the web site on Cragg's / Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Company Limited.

I have some interest in Goole:

My Father worked for the British Channel Island Shipping Company Limited (BCIS) and he was many times to Goole (for survey and repair).
I would like to ask where the dry dock was? I remember (1961/1962) it had a river flowing past it and there was a lock alongside, a Guernsey registers steamship was in the lock, (that's from memory).
I know that Cragg had shares in the London and Channel Island Shipping Company, so the link might be historic.
I'm writing a history on BCIS so any info would be good news.

I also was in the Royal Naval Reserve and HMS Sandpiper was built in Goole (1976 ish).

One question I would like to ask about is the war activities of the Estonian steamship Kodumaa. When did she start to trade coal from Goole?
Lloyds has her 'seen' sailing from Goole to London with coal. (I only recorded September 1941 to December 1941 from the Lloyd's record cards - I must, one day, look into the earlier cards), till sunk on the 26th September 1942 outside Goole.
My father was serving on her till March 1942, but I do not know when he joined her.

One of the BCIS Senior Master was Captain George Colverson, born must of left his mark here at Goole?
George was born at Knottingley 1885, following his Father's footsteps in a career at sea. Passing his Master's ticket in 1910.
He joined BCIS in 1925 and retired in 1953. Soon after he moving back from Sidcup, London to Hull. He died in Hull on the 21st September 1963, at the age of 81.

cheers

Michael

hi corby,my dad tells me everybody knew everybody in goole.he was born in goole,1934,lived at alexander street, then broadway.he also lived above booth's cobblers.he went to same schools and left at same time as you, he mentioned george dales,colin hudson and gordon perrett.some other memories of the area he lived in are alan,audrey and jack bedford,a shop on stanley street,wally hill who had burlington pub.he also recalls taking money to mrs sandersons savings club,annie sherburns shop,a man with one leg nickname hooker giles,also a shop that sold mussels near alexander st. school.his uncles were reg,percy,helier,herbert and des darragh,mums name ida hill.my dads nickname to his mates was ginks or ginksy.he asks do you know pedro and is this his full name.if you recall any of this just post more if you would.thanks .

Michael,

There were several dry docks at Goole but it seems the one you remember is the graving dock shown on this map and postcard:

http://www.web-exhibition.net/details.aspx?id=1103
http://www.web-exhibition.net/details.aspx?id=598

Hi Kerry. Youv'e certainly opened the deep corners of my brain with that little lot.Your dad and I trod the same ground and probably the same friends. My main friends being Alan Bedford and Alan Fielder but never at the same time for it would have been a major clash of personalities. Alan Fielder was always so laid back whilst the other was not.Alan fielder , Des and Eddie Binnington all went to sea on leaving school. Sadly they have now all passed on. A few more memories for your Dad. Behind the Burlington where Barnard's Stables and Peachy Gott's pig styes We were told to give the pigs coal to eat for it was good foe them. Which we did.I kept my pigeons in Alan Fielders loft which gave me a chance to see is lovely sister Nancy. I also think Mrs. Girling lived near you. she was the lady who laid people out and made them look nice prior to burial. Pedro is a pen name so I cannot give his identity . But your dad will know him

Hi Kerry why not visit the Goole Action Group website/social history maybe your dad could put names to a few faces on the Burlington pub trip.I do know your dad and hope he and all your family are bearing up after losing your mum.She was a very good friend to my late wife who originated from poets corner.Byron St to be exact.
Corby Alan the Ace Fielder modelled himself on Clark Gable we bought our black barathea suits at Burtons after returning(big time from deep sea.Alas Alan Bedfords demise was a shock to us all also Cliff Andrews from Old Goole killed and buried out in the caribbean also comes to mind.

Ahoy Pedro! Had Cliff Andrews demise anything to do with a palm tree, and was he AB on the "Don" prior to sailing to the Caribbean?

Glynne, try www.nationalarchives.gov.uk if you have his discharge book # it would help, good luck

Hi Hamish yes same guy I can't remember the ship methinks it was a banana boat. Times of change the Islands are now importing fruit from South America (by air of course)

Pedro.I knew Alan Fielder many years .But the thought that lingers the most was the day my mother passed away. I went round and told him. His reply in all innocence was." you'll be able to come to my Christmas Party now" Meaning the Christmas parties put on by the Rotary Club for Orphans and one parent children. We were 8 at the time. Another thought, who would have forseen all those years ago that my two best friends would become related by the marriages of an uncle of one to the niece of the other. Also,Jack Bedford taken for granted for he was always around. I have learned things recently that he never never got the recognition he deserved

Pedro! I took his berth in the "Don" and also some other welcome "surprises" my first trip to Copenhagen!!

Hi corby, hamish, pedro& gang. My dad was born in byron street,and sailed out of goole for many years,sadly he died 20 years ago. He was known as poppy lofthouse. He had two brothers alan & harry who were both at sea too.

Tom you will have to give a little more detail on your Dad, ships,rank(position), and time frame of seatime, I did sail with a Lofthouse but my memory tells me he came from Hull and was an ex trawlerman, I was sailing out of Goole in the early fifties, about the same time as your dad?

Hi Corby and Pedro, I've been getting my dad to rack his brains and reminisce about his past - he came up with the following, He left school in 1949 and joined the SS Don in July with Alan Fielder. He has also mentioned some other mutual friends you may remember Jackie Kennedy(Good friends of my dads uncle Des Darragh),Darky Pratt, Stan Ford, Ken Thomson, Alan Wheldrake, Carl Bestwick (better known as the Beast!)Luke Cain - who liked a good fight when drunk!., Percy Cross, Dick Cawthhorne and Wiggy Porter(SS Don). He knew a lot of them from either at Sea or working on the docks. He remebers Alan Fielders loft well.

Pedro he has had a look at the photo you suggested and remembers some of the faces - Somebody Ward, Middle with no hat - related to Alan Dixon, Top Right - Jeff Vinces dad He is racking is brains regarding your late wife and my mum - were they school friends - my mum was born in wetherill street. Do any of you ever get together in Goole to talk about old times?

Corby - just one last thing - Does the name Fred Cooper ring a bell? Hope to hear from you all. Thanks

Hi Hamish - My dad seems to think Cliff Andrews fell out of a tree and broke his neck. My dad Eric Hill also sailed on the Don (in 1949) - did you know him? cheers.

I sailed with most of the names you posted Kerry. Sadly I think Stan Ford is the only one who is with us. Ken Thompson sadly finished with engines (passed away last week). We converse mostly on this website as Hamish for instance now lives in Canada. When I'm in town I drink with Stan on occassions in the Crescent Club. Billy Guy used to visit but I hear he's now unwell.
Knobby Clark is a regular your dad knows him.

Kerry, that is the story I heard about Cliff Andrews, I only met him once, had a beer with him, and a host of others, in Melodies, and shortly after that I heard of his "accident" My sojourn on the "Don" was in June -July of 1953, so if your Dad was on her then? The trouble with most MN sites, and looking for old shipmates, is we never did get to know any one's full names (if we did we soon forgot it) we were "labelled" with a Nickname soon after joining, mine was "Mac" (for obvious reasons) when I sailed out of Goole, but if I joined a London crewed ship then I became "Yorkie" and I am sure others on this site will agree with me, and the lack of recall to "Full" names.

On your post you mention a "Darky" Pratt, was his first name Fred and was he a football enthusiast? I recall a fellow on the "Don" who badgered us into joining the ships soccer team, and arranging all kinds of matches in Copenhagen, against local teams (way out of our league) but that's another story.

Cheers "Mac"

Hi Kerry. Here we go again. I hope this is not taxing dads brain too much. I well remember Alan joing The Don and I know his starting wage was £1/10s a week. I started my apprenticeship for 17/6 a week So Alan instantly became a rich man in my books. Alan and Ron Wheldrake out of Estcourt St. were also good friends of ours. Freddie Cooper the boy I thought I had killed! I was bought a "Daisy" air rifle but my dad would not let me use pellets. So I used to go out with shooting matchsticks. I called on Freddie three doors down. Knocked on the door. Instead of opening the door. Freddie decided to peep through the letter box. Directly in line with my loaded rifle. You've guessed it. I pulled the trigger. You can imagine the confusion. The matchstick impaled between the lid and the brow of his eye. The matchstick was pulled Although it bled it soon healed. My rifle was confiscated. Another lesson learned. I knew Les Pratt from Limetree

Hamish, my dad thinks it was Freddy Bennison who you are thinking of, who liked to play football. He can't remeber Darky's first name but is sure it's not Fred. My dad also asks if you lived in old goole at one time and did you use to shout "don ginnings" when you had had a few drinks! as he knew a Hamish who did. He tells me that he was on the port frederique in 1953 so you may not have sailed together
cheers kerry

Les Pratt (darkie) his first ship he joined the Yokefleet as Galley boy. His younger brother Brian also went to sea along with (a few more names) Maurice Taun - Denis Mccone - Ray West - Tommy Leighton - Ron Snead the list goes on. Fred Benison was fireman along with Eli Taun - Tommy Hoyle - Tommy Halselquist - Jack Smithson. Bumper Woodhead Bumper Callaghan - Most of the firemen came out of the Royal Navy after the war along with a few ABs And boy did they cause some battles on the Hamburg Bremen run ashore pointless telling these guys the war is over.
Happy days

Ahoy Kerry and Pedro, boy you sure have a good memory for names Pedro, I have trouble remembering my own at times (depends on the single malt) And Kerry ,yes it was Fred Bennison I was thinking of, he was as Pedro states a fireman on the "Don". Seems to me he ran into trouble with the opposite sex, too many "wifes"(and kids) I believe. And no your Dad has the "wrong" Hamish,I lived in Leeds for most of my life, moved to England from Scotland in the late 30's then to Canada in 57, but I will admit I am guilty of some crazy things ashore in Goole, take care H

Just reading some of the latest postings and loving them! Let's start with Kerry Hill's,starting with her reference to her dad, Eric.
Is he perchance the father of brothers Tim and Eric (jr). Nice guys both, but if memory serves, Tim went all "Junior Chamber" on us, while Eric stayed with the regular guys. I do recall that he worked in the shipyard.
Kerry's reference to her uncles Reg and Percy brings back happy memories. Percy had the Burlington Hotel for the longest time, and upon his retirement, Reg took it over if memory serves.
Other names also bring back happy memories. Alan (Ace) Fielder
was a steward on the Byland Abbey when I first joined her in 1959, which is when I got to know most of the other guys mentioned on this site. Me being an import from the other side of Donny. Eddie Binnington and Darkie Pratt are among my most memorable, although by this time they were both dockers. Darkie's brother, Ginner, was still at sea at this time, but both he and Darkie were among my list of good guys.
That's not to say that they were the only ones. There were so many!
Also mentioned were Stan Ford who, if I recall correctly, married Molly Ellis. Funny how these names come to mind after so long. Ken Thomson is another one. I did my last deep sea trip with Ken on the RMS Escalante, with another wannabe Goolie, Larry Crowley, originally from Manchester. Good guys.
Sorry to hear about Ken's passing by the way!
Other names mentioned were Maurice Taun, who was also a steward on the Byland Abbey, but also a workmate at Drax Power Station before Maggie Thatcher screwed things up.
Dennis McCone is another former shipmate from the Kirkham Abbey (anybody remember Billy Carr, the bo's'n?). Tommy Leighton is another former shipmate who has crossed the bar. My, how time flies.

hi transportman, i sailed with frankie shultz in the irwell(i was deck lad at the time) he was a good seaman and friend, other deck crew i remember were fred raddings billy holmes harry skinner and steve longhorn, crabbie was skipper and i remember him sending me up the funnel to chip the wartime paint then polish it, he said it sounded better ? can also tell peter hill the old harrogate was similar to the old selby and used to run with macclesfield from riverside quay. bye for now

hi transportman, i think i made it look as if i'd had to chip the funnel though i suppose you'd realised i meant the whistle, cheers

Hi Barry:
Although I realise that your submission was not intended for me, I feel I must respond, as I crossed paths with some of the guys you mentioned, albeit not in the same time period. Fred Raddings I remember well, although when I knew him, he was on the AHL shore gang, me being a new and not yet tested Goolie.
The Byland Abbey was my initiation. I was a friend of Fred`s sons, Cliff, unfortunately deceased, and Eric, who I understand is still kicking arse in political circles locally. Harry Skinner is another of my former shipmates who have since crossed the bar.
The Steyning comes to mind.
The other names you quoted seem familiar, but I can`t be certain. I do recall, however, one of the Krebbs clan making an inroad into showbiz, Les, I believe his name was, and he used to do a lot of Hank Williams stuff. He was good. Whatever became of him? Hope to hear from you soon.

Greetings Barry!
You mention a Steve Longhorn, would you know if he made the dizzy heights of Bosun on the "Blyth"?or do I have the wrong Steve, the one I remember was a very dour gent who would not crack a smile even if his grannies ass was on fire, and I believe he finished his days on the AHL shore gang, take care H

Hi Barrie,
I thought you meant whistle. Are you any relation to Mac, Rex, Paula etc?

hi transportman, yeah you got the right family, i am the eldest, going back to the whistle, if i remeber rightly when soogeing the funnel we sort of rigged ourselves up with a bosons chair with length of rope knotted in it, a butchers meat hook and abseilled down the funnel with a bucket soapy lashed to chair, speak with you again (by the way do i know you seeing as you know us?) transportman

hi hamish, you got the right steve longhorn, i don't think i've ever met a man as miserable as he was, i do know he had a step brother who was a mate perhaps he didn't get on very well with the mix.speak with you again hamish,cheers

When I sailed with Harry Skinner, he was bosun of the Hodder in the late 40s. I think Goole Steam Shipping managed AHL. The butter boats Don Dearne Rother did not have AHL on the funnels and did not fly an AHL houseflag. They flew British Waterways flag. So to me that part of AHL must have been state owned. I think the rest was owned by Ellermans

hi ,before i start i would just like to say what a brilliant site this is.i wonder if anyone can help me,im doing the usual rounds of tracing family members and ive discovered that im related to a ships captain by the name of george may who sailed on the dearne,also my grandmother was a steward (esther e cragg)on the dearne too,they were married until ive been informed he died of cancer,she then married my grandfather who was the ships cook(thomas pursglove) i am looking for photos etc and if its possible would i be able to get crew lists from 1900 to 1915,i have a photo of the crew with all three people ive mentioned but havent got a clue from what year , thank you

There's a picture of the Dearne on the Goole Ships website http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/lancs/dearne1909.htm

cheers for the web address mate pointing to the dearne picture. is it possible to get crew lists from somewhere from 1909 to 1914

Hi Barry, I remember Paula from school, she was in the year above me. Rex`s back gate and ours were opposite each other he used to have a maroon Mk II Zephyr or Zodiac and Mac lived across the road from us in the next block. A genius with electronics, I remember he made a radiogram with lights that flashed in time with the beat, something unheard of in those days and Frank was my uncle.

My Grandfather worked on vessels out of Grimsby and I believe
Goole where he was born in 1880. I am trying to trace any
record of him. He was called John William Handford and had
brother Isaac and sister Eliza. I have traced him to Middlesbrough Workhouse until he was 11 and for next 10 years
can find nothing. Would like to know if he stayed in Goole and where.

Hi Gary, sorry I've been a while getting back to you, yes Les was into the music stuff he did quite a bit of skiffle as well as c&w, I'm wondering if you've maybe heard of our Rex he's into C&W in big way in fact he still plays at the Bentley club among other places. Its a long time since I saw Eric Raddings but I see their sister quite regularly in Tesco's. All though I've been ashore for over fifty years I still have an affinity with the sea and ships particularly those that were there when I was, I'm afraid I was only coasting though. speak to you again sometime Gary.

Stuart,Pedro and George,
One of the few benefits of AGE is the fact that you can surf all day long without getting wet.It was on such a day some little time ago that I pumped in my grandfathers name,adding Horncastle,Lincolnshire.What came up really took the wind out of my sails,for a short time at least.Set out is what came up.
Joseph Lea Snr was the master of SS ROBIN and Joseph Lea Jnr was a 14yrs old rating on the same ship in 1890.The ROBIN is still afloat after all these years and is owned by a preservation society who now need help.The ROBIN was for some time berthed at West India Dock but is now in dry dock at Felixstowe undergoing restoration and this why I thought I would let you know of my discovery.The society are in need of a rivitter(spelling way out) and I thought of Goole and its history but am also too aware that welding took over and as such the likelyhood of there being someone around and active is extremely remote but I thaught I'd give it a shot.
As my ancestors are part of the ships history you will appreciate that I have got my self involved,but not out of my depth and hope to be in a position in the not too distant future to be come totally immersed in what has become very close to my heart.Therefore,if you know of anybody out there"andy wiv an ammer" please let me know.
Regards,
David L-J.

Hi David
well I do know for a fact (in the Goole area)with the demise of riveters and caulkers losing out to welding,most of the younger guys in this trade did in fact take up welding and after the closure of Goole Shipyard were mostly employed on the local power stations.Sadly most are no longer with us.Having said that though the Water ways Museum at Goole carried out a lot of refurbishment work by volunteers so maybe there are still some around.

Pedro my friend,
Just a line to bring you upto speed.I made contact as you suggested with the Waterways Museum and last week they came back to me and lo and behold they have the same problem,ie;sorting a Tom Pudding out.It has been suggested that a blacksmith might be the answer,we will see.
Once again many thanks,
David L-J.

Good evening. My father, Roy Bond, served on a number of ships during WWII and I have been trying to assemble a list of the ships including the ships badges. I am having a great deal of difficulty in finding the badge for the HMCS Long Branch as the badge was apparently an unofficial one. If anyone would happen to have any pertinent information it would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

Longbranch had quite a chequered career I can only suggest you contact Arnold Hague website he has in the past helped me and I feel sure he can answer all your questions. http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hague/index.html

Pedro,Stuart and all those with an interest in the sea and shipping.
I was recently reading the book review section in our local rag and I came accross a book that interested me so much that I ordered a copy straight away.On receiving it I've hardly been able to put it down.
The book is titled Coastal Convoys 1939-1945 (The indestructable highway) the author is Nick Hewitt,publisher Pen&Sword Maritime,priced at about £20.not bad as prices go for what I found to be a most enthralling read. In describing some of the Masters and the men who manned the coasters during a particular dark period of the last war I recognised certain traits that my Grand Father Joseph Lea had,for example he never wore a uniform,always a navy blue three piece suit complete with watch and fob and the ever present trilby hat.When it came to seamanship they were and still are in a class of their own,for example whilst charts were readily available many preferred to rely on their expearience and the sixth sense developed over many years.I well remember my G/F telling me of how with his eye he was able to judge depths,currents and anticipated weather conditions,this was not a gift but something that had been honed over many years at sea.
Before closing this epistle I would mention that the reason for this book being included for review in our local paper is that we are only some twelve miles or so from Southend which as you know,positioned in the Estuary played an important part in the routing of convoys leaving for destinations North and South.
Take caremy friends,
David L-J.

David read the review online whet the appetite ordered it on amazon £13.99 postage free.
I sailed with a few skippers whose standard uniform was a three piece suit not all coasting.Captain Fisher from Yarmouth master of the Merchant Prince a tramp steamer suit trilby and turtle kneck sweater was his favourite garb.

hi kerry, i knew your dad but only as ginksy, i'm '34 person too but i was born in hull, we were bombed out four or five times before we came to goole in 41, when i was 11 i went from old goole school to modern school and thats where i knew your dad,tell me does he still have all that long wavy hair or has it waved cheerio like mine ho ho

Hi Barry Krebs. I can definately put a face to that name. I believe you, like me, Alan Gledhill and Kenny Elliot we all were followers of the jazz scene which came to the baths. Ken Colyer was my favourite with his line up which included Chris Barber, Monty Sunshine and Lonny Donegan. who all went on to better things. I still have a few 78's but daren't play them anymore. Good times

Anyone with the sea in their blood would have thrilled to the sight which I witnessed yesterday. My wife had gone across to to Southamptonon via the ferry to meet up for a days shopping. Because it was Derby day, I opted out. She rang at 5pm to say she was leaving so I could meet her in. On arriving at the pier in Hythe I was met with this amazing sight. The Aurora, the Independance of the Seas and the Queen Mary 2 had chosen at that moment to leave en bloc, in line astern. What a sight. The diminutive little ferry of which I was waiting chose it's moment to dash across between the last two. It's just a thought, but in the midst of a recession , for some, life goes on

Hi to Jeff Bond;
I read your submission regarding HMCS Long Branch.
As a member of the Royal Candian Legion and the South Waterloo Naval Association, I would like to offer whatever help I can regarding your quest.
What type of vessel was Long Branch?
Is this the proper name, or is it a nickname given, for whatever reason?
I will ask around: Many of my associates are WWII vets. Many of them ex-pats.
Hope to hear from you guys soon.

Ahoy to Jeff Bond again. More on HMCS Long Branch:-
Flower-class corvette.
Formerly HMS Candytuff.
Did convoy escort duty during the war, between Halifax, NS and Ireland.
Lots more details on Wikipedia. Just Google or Yahoo 'HMCS Long Branch'.
All the best.

Ahoy Pedro!! You are not paying "due diligence"to the health of my buddy Billy "the" Guy, not had any updates lately, I take it you have not seen him on your rounds. Take care H

Hi Hamish asked about him today hes still hanging in there.But doesnt get out.As for me leaving for warmer climes next month take care P

Pedro! Wot ?Run out of rum already? You should not be so generous with those Goolies! Take care and have a safe tripH

Ahoy Pedro ! Forgot to mention I am leaving for Minnesota on Monday,(driving) I have an aunt I visit in Virginia(just north of Duluth)and I just might, if the gas gods are generous, carry on to Toronto and visit the daughter and son in law, but again that depends on the "petrol"bill.Minnesota is not known for its "good" rum ,maybe cheaper beer tho,take care H

Have fun Hamish safe driving prices could be worse you could be paying uk prices £1.15 per litre expected rise next week

For many years I have had a a framed photograph of the S.S.Don. Only today I have discovered it was one of the Goole Steam Shipping Company's boats.
The Youtube vid of it leaving Goole was fascinating. I was always told my paternal grandfather - Capt.W.M. Dixon, a Lincoln man, b. 1870, d. 1934 - was skipper of this vessel.
He also sailed with the Anchor Line and the White Star Line, but I don't have any dates.
Does anyone have info. on crews?

Hi can any one tell me the crew list of SS COTTINGHAM when she sank in 1915 off lundy

Ahoy John! Just so you don't get the feeling you are being ignored, I did a short sojourn on the"Don" about four trips in the early fifties, she and her "Buddy" ship the "Dearne" were known as the "Butter Boats" running to Copenhagen week about from Goole, one weekend in Denmark and the next weekend back home, thats why I left her, too much strain on the budget, not enough time at sea, and the nightlife (in them days) was just too hard to keep up with, and I was a young guy then! They also had a football team which had a few scheduled matches in Copenhagen, can you imagine trying to put an honest 90 minutes in running around a football pitch ,after a visit to Tuborg brewery?

Can any one help please,my grandfather HENRY JAMES FELTHAM went to sea around 1890 to 1930 but I cant find out anything about him.he said he went on a rescue mission to one of the poles when an expedition got trapped and Ithink he finished up in Hull.where can I find any records about him

Pedro,George,
Ref my thread dated 20/04/09.I recently spent a dday in Lowestoft where I was able to have a look at the ROBIN and meet some of the people involved in her restoration.
During the time spent with them I learned from them that they were having trouble locating crew lists for the ship which started life in 1890.Have you,or anyone looking in,any idea's as to who to contact.
One other query.She was a coal burner yet there does'nt appear tobe any provision for coal bunkerage.I'll accept she's very small,just over 300tn but the fuel must have been stored somewhere.
Have a think and come back to me sometime.
Regards,
David L-J.

Hello out there..........Can anyone help me with my "Memory Trip"
I sailed from Goole on board the "Gwynwood" France Fenwick CO
coaster.under Capt Collier.in 1957/58. Is there anyone who has any photos of the "Gwynwood" that will help me make a scale model of the ship. and present it to the Heritage Museum when finished. I would be gratefull for any help.and can meet any costs involved. Thanking you in anticipation Baz

Hi Barry - look on www.shipspotting.com for a picture of the Gwynwood. The captain Collier would be Tom collier my Great uncle, his father ( my great grandfather ) Capt Joseph William Collier was the captain of the first Gwynwood

For David
Crew lists are now kept in Canada enquiries to Tanya McDonald
Email tanyas@mun.ca
when asking for crew lists give ships name and official No
dates start to finish. payment in Canadian Dollars are converted into pounds sterling by credit card.
Regarding coal bunkerage I guess by now this area is completely gutted but bearing in mind her size access for coal was little more than (similar) a manhole cover either side of the open bridge forward of the funnel not unlike the Clyde Puffers.

hi Hamish l understand you sailed with Jimmy cooper. l sailed with a Jimmy cooper on the mv amenity 1948 he came from leeds l wonder if it was the same man gordon

Greetings Gordon! Yes Jimmy was from Leeds, Halton, as I was, we sailed together on the "Aire" and again on the"Seaford" We also did a stint down the Coalmines, at Waterhaig, I returned to sea and he became a Leeds city bus driver, I lost contact with him when I came to Canada in 1957, He was originally from around London, and had quite a London accent, if he is still above the grass he would be about eighty eight now, Cheers hamish

Pedro,
Yet again my friend you have an answer,many thanks,I am now starting to dig!
Take care,
David L-J.

Anyone like to see the Robin on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=dqtdnXplYTk
Im leaving for warmer climes so till Oct ttfn

I am trying to trace my grandfathers brother, Ned / Edward Walton who disappeared of the face of the earth in the late 1930's early 1940's. My grandfather, John Walton, last saw him during the war at Kings Cross railway station. He sailed on the Gripfast and was married to a lady called Stella. I beleive they may have lived in London Does anyone know what became of him or his family.

For anyone still interested in the M.V. Fountains Abbey and Whitby Abbey, I have a letter written by F. Wooler which reads:-
A disaster indeed it was, the loss of two lives and a fine ship, she holds happy memories for many of us. During her seven years of life she carried numerous fine folk as passengers and weathered storm after storm. No other vessel will ever replace her in my affection. My next command is to be the sister ship of the ill fated Fountains Abbey namely the M.V. Whitby Abbey and in the German Service. Signed F.W.Wooler

I saw Bernard Hough's posting about the letter signed by Fred Wooler, one time master of the MV Fountains Abbey. I would be most interested to receive details as to whom the letter was addressed and of the date of the letter. Similarly, if there are any survivors of the loss of the ship ( or relatives of former crew members) who would like to share their recollections of that event I would love to hear from them via the webmaster.

Peter and Bernard! Troll back on this site to around 13/02 and you will find some interesting comments re the "Illustrious" Captain Wooler

My dad sailed for AHL for 25 years and knew Captain Wooler who ended up as Marine Superintendant for AHL - i still have my dad's reference signed by Captian Wooler in 1971 when AHL folded and he was made redundant. We used to live up the road from the motorman who died when the Fountains Abbey caught fire - he lived in Northolme Road Hessle but I cannot remember his name. My dad recalled he was crushed in a lifeboat when a swell drew the the lifeboat under the hull - he always said Captain Wooler felt guilty about what happened

Hi Martin Smith:
Re: Your submission regarding the demise of the Fountains Abbey. I posted a comment on this back in Feb. of this year if you'd care to scroll back. I was an AB on the Byland Abbey at the time. The motorman who lost his life, along with the bo's'n,
was Gordon Gillmartin.
Apart from that, the only other guy I can think of who was a crew member at the time was Mike Spence, who was an assistant steward. He later became a Goole docker,care of his dad. Nepotism being the hiring practice of the day.
Can't blame mike for that though, that's the way it was.
As far as I know, Mike still lives in Goole or thereabouts.
Perhaps some of the old salts who frequent Witherspoons may be able to shed some light on it.
Good luck on your search.

Hi Gary. Neprotism. A strong word for these pages, for is not this site supposed to be a light hearted look into the past? My father and his father were dockers. Involved in the hardest part which was coal trimming. These men had to respect their workmates as equals.With no evidence of shirking or dodging issues to do with work.When I left school it was on the cards for me to go to sea. Like lots of my mates. some of these went to escape Callup. That was escapism. The worst case of nephrotism that I witnessed in Goole was after the war when my brother in law Sargeant Charlie Wilkinson was demobed. After time spent in Burma fighting for his countryHe did a crash course in Joinery like 1000's of others and was employed by Platt and Featherstones. When one day I went to see him at work. It was teabreak .All the workers (brothers, trade unioists)were in a canteen .But not Charlie. He sat alone . Branded a "Diluty" That was Nephrotism

Hi Corby: Sorry if you took offense to my little dig at nepotism, a-la Goole dockers. I also empathize with the plight of folks who fought for King and Country, only to come home to an ungrateful reception. That was 'reverse' nepotism.
Incidentally, why couldn't your bro.-in-law find work "ont' dock wall?" Stevedore's wouldn't allow it eh? And that was even before they were unionized!
Anyway, as you rightly say, this is supposed to be a light hearted forum so have a nice day and keep 'em coming.

Hi Gary.If you have read my piece in the main pages dated 26/4/08. You will understand how passionate I feel about the plight of the old coal trimmers. These much maligned men in my mind never recieved the recognition they deserved. For they were responsible for keeping the many colliers that left Goole upright and safe.That has been forgotten by many mariners which crewed these vessels. Regarding Charlies refusal to work on the docks. He was a proud man who wanted to make his own way in life with a trade behind him.to ask my dad for help would not be considered . Also we are back to nepotism arent we. It was Charlie who talked me into taking a trade and not "running off to sea" Most of my maternal side were mariners sailing out of Hull and Goole so my blood is quite salty. On a final note. Charley took his family of four boys out of school and went to live at Scunthorpe where he spent his life working in the steelworks .With best regards and hopefuly no hard feelings

Hi, Hamish (5/8/09)
The framed photo I have of the S.S.Don also has a note on the back of the frame saying - "Torpedoed by German U-boat off Blyth, Northumberland on March 8th 1914. Sank in ten minutes - W.M.Dixon and others injured."
I don't know where my 'Don' was built, but yours must have been a reincarnation. Am I right?
He served his time under sail - I have some records of his vessels (many Clyde-built sailing ships) and destinations etc. It would be nice to have any info., technical or otherwise just to put into family tree stuff.

Carelessness ! 13.10.2009 I said the info. on my photograph of the S.S.Don gave the torpedoed date as 8th March 1914 - I should have said 1915.
Nevertheless, www,gooleships.co.uk gives two pics, but the date of the attack as MAY 1915.
(One of the reasons for Capt. W.M.Dixon's death in 1934 was "war injuries".)

John! The SS "Don" I sailed on was built in 1924 by Vickers in Barrow in Furnace, she was managed by AHL untill she was towed to Holland for break up, in 1958, hope this clears up any confusion as to "which" Don

Hi John re- Don
A bit of info for you. The Don was built for Goole Steam Shipping Co (later to become part of Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways). and launched 14th July 1892 by W. Dobson & Co at Low Walker, Register number 98389 and was registered at Goole 8th August 1892. it had a speed of 12.5 knots and the first Master was E.D.Duncan-Redford (ticket number 90941).
On May 8th 1915 at 4.40am, while on a voyage from Cromarty, Scotland to Blyth in ballast she was sunk by U9 7 miles East of Coquet Island. U9 was launched 22nd February 1910, commissioned 8th April 1910. at the time of sinking it was commanded by Johannes Spiel born 25th July 1888, who joined the German Navy 1n 1907. U9 sank 14 merchant ships with a total tonnage of 9,715 tons, and 4 warships with a total tonnage of 43,350 tons. (3 of these were British cruisers HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressey which were all sunk 22nd September 1914 within 1 hour). U9 surrendered 26th November 1918 and was broken up at Morecambe in 1919.

To John Dixon.Was WM your grandfather? A very interesting account.but I am also interested in the sailing ships he sailed in. Would any of these vessels have been built at Howdendyke by Banks or Caiseley? There being very little on record about these ships. By the way, I went to the Alex with an Alan Dixon. Any relation? If so give him my regards

Have just been scrolling this site and seen a lot of ships names I remember. I started work in 1959 for J Wharton(shipping)Limited at their office in Aire Street. The "Gladonia" "Jackonia" "Lizzonia" "Stevonia" "Brendonia" were all named after Wharton family members. Later came the "Burtonia", Jack Wharton lived at Burton on Stather, and the "Trentonia" named after the river of course. I recall all these ships were registered at Goole. Later I moved across to East Parade and worked for L.V. Gunnill/Renwick Wilton and Dobson. There I was Agent for a lot of ships loading coals to the South Coast power stations and the Channel Islands. Kevin Garden 11.12.08 mentions a Capt. Flett on the "Sandringham Queen". I remember this gentleman, if it is the same one, as being one of the better Captains to deal with. Incidentally, my brother Roger, sailed out of Goole, certainly on the "Blyth" and possibily on some of the other ships mentioned.

Ahoy Gerald Brooksbank; It's great that you have found your way onto this excellent website. Welcome aboard.
Regarding your comment about the Sandringham Queen and her master, Capt. Alec Flett, let me be the first to agree with you that he was indeed one of the better skippers. I was an AB on Sandringham for a couple of months (31 Oct to 22 Dec 1962) and would have given him at least 9 out of 10 had I been asked. Needless to say, I wasn't! C'est la vie.
Did you perchance happen to go in the Peacock Hotel during your tenure on East Parade? If so, our paths may have crossed, as by that time I was getting my feet under the table as it were, with Sid and Rosie's youngest daughter Shirley. We will have been married 46 years come Nov 28th. and have three sons, three daughters-in-law and seven grandkids.
We are all Canadians now but still miss Goole, which may seem strange, as none of us speak Polish! Only kidding.

Gary! That proves that the "Goolies", like the Scots, are very good at populating other peoples countries,take care H

Gary Worton.
You ask if I went in the Peacock during my time at East Parade.
The answer is a resounding yes. I used the pub before that, starting sometime during 1960 I think but really went in a lot when at East Parade. I would leave the office some nights and walk to the Peacock for 6pm opening. Often, if I was early or Side was late, the keys would be thrown down to me so I could open the door and go in. Used the lounge mainly. Ship Agent you see position to think of. I have racked my brain trying to place you, as I am sure we must have met, but cannot. I remember Enid and Wally and was the other sister Mavis? The pub was also handy for Victoria Lock so when I had ships arriving/sailing I
could look out for them from the lounge. I am called Ged by my friends so this may, or may not, ring a bell with you. I moved back on to Aire Street to work for Limb & Co. but went in the Peacock regularly until leaving Goole 1979 to come to work and live in Boston, Lincs. On the shipping side some of the ships I looked after in Goole were the "Havelet" and "Portelet" owned by Onesimus Dorey of Guernsey. The "Odra" and "Glitra"", Chr. Salvesen, any number of F.T.Everard and Crescent Shipping vessels. As a sub agent for Cutting & Co. I looked after Russian timber ships too. One particular ship I remember was the "Marco Polo", a timber built ship from Torshavn. It took two tides to get her up to Goole in ballast as the Pilot at Hull couldn't get her to swing in the Humber. Happy days.

Gary I know your only joking about Poles in Goole.Because the 2001 census of Canada shows 9380 poles in Renfrew county alone.But today scattered across Canada 800.000 can claim polish descent

I have many happy memories of Goole in the 50s I was chief officer on the Roman Queen.These were the old steamships with local firemen/stokers who were replace by west african immigrants residing in Hull but mostly from the Cardiff area known as Tiger Bay.We had a regular trade from Goole with coal
to Plymouth then load stone at Newlyn Cornwall for Deptford Creek London.Then it was back to either Goole or Blyth for yet more coal.

Zygmund I remember you as mate on the Roman Queen.The captain was a welshman named Williams.If my memory serves you were about to sit your masters cert.We also had a polish AB on board named Jan who lived in Blyth he on occassions acted as translater for the trawlermen who absconded from Russian trawlers and were kept in the seamans mission or the hospital in Blyth. Small world

Transportman 17/10/2009
Thanks for the info. on the SS Don - all I had was the photograph. Unfortunately that is where the trail ends at the moment. Perhaps WM's 'ticket number' will reveal more later. Photographs show he was later with the White Star and Anchor Lines, but as what and where I don't yet know.
I'm still at an early stage of research, plus the maritime world is uncharted territory for me. (I was in the RAF!)
Thanks to Hamish 15/10/2009 too, regarding which Don.

To Corby Bunting 21/10/2009
WM Dixon was my paternal grandfather. He served his time under sail - 1891-1892, on the (handwriting not clear) Hosfrodon/Hosprodon? of Liverpool.
Later sailing ships : Erin's Isle 73111: Mairi Bhan 68537: Loch Long 76726: Loch Lomond 63741: Beeswing 96144 (steam?): Thistle 98308: Bay of Bengal 73562 (of which I have a picture under sail): River Nith 58999 (steam?).
The River Nith and the Erin's Isle I have yet to pinpoint, but all the others were Clyde-built. See www.clydesite.co.uk
His trail ends so far at the sinking of the SS Don in 1915.
Sorry - don't know of any Alan Dixon.

Hi again my old boss Ged Brooksbank, I too remember the Peacock as a watering hole for agents working down East Parade, they were Kettlewell's, Oughtred & Harrison, RW&D/Gunnills and Cross's as well as Stevedores of Goole and we all used to pack the Peacock out on Thursday/Friday (payday). Remember fondly Sid and Rose who took me a little under their wing when I started going into the Peacock at 16 or 17 in 1968-69. Was a regular haunt for us agents for a number of years. Also your mention of "Havelet" and "Portelet" brings back memories of a particular Christmas Eve circa 1969/70 when you sent me to one of these vessels (can't remember which one) to get the Bills of Lading signed about 1600 hrs, she was berthed at Tannit Hoist in Railway Dock and had loaded coal for the Channel Isles, you called onboard yourself around 1800 hrs and the master, a portly, jolly Irishman with a shock of grey hair (for my sins I cannot recall his name) invited us to partake in small noggin of Christmas cheer, many noggins later we were certainly cheerful and finally disembarked around midnight when the pilot came onboard, staggering down Bridge street on a icy night back to our respective domains.

happy memories indeed!! my regards also to Chris hope you are both well.

John Try http://shipsnostalgia.com/forum.php, there are some great historians on that site and I am sure you will get help with your queries, regards Hamish

Malcolm Bristow. It was the "Havelet" and the Captain was called McGonnell. The other Captains on the "Havelet" and "Portelet" were McQuillan and McCoullogh. Capt. McQuillan was the one who would turn up at the office around 9.30 in the morning armed with bottles of pale ale for us for breakfast. I noticed you have mentioned on one of the other sites about the Coalite ships we loaded for Norway. I was trying to remember the names of the Jebsen ships we had. They sometimes called in at Goole on their way back from Canada to Norway and loaded up to 4000 tonnes but I can't remember any apart from the "Leknes".
As you say the Peacock was a watering hole for Agents from East Parade and remember getting in there with Eddy Cross from the stevedores among others. I recall that Saphir Shipping were in the office next to us, on the corner, but their entrance was not on East Parade. The Peacock was also handy for when we had ships up to Selby, again you could watch and wait in the lounge. Will try and remember more for next time.

Hi John. Glad the info on the Don was of use. The crew list at the time of sinking was:- W.Arron Master, G.E.Middleton 1st mate, W.M.Dixon 2nd mate, T.Lindsley Chief Engineer, F. Mundy 2nd Engineer, C.E. Broughton steward, AB`s K. Campbell, J.Smith, A.E. Hulse?, W.Thomas, H, Shave. Firemen H. Harrison, T.Walsh, G.H. Ellis, G. Longhorn and A. Aldis. Sailed 1 deck hand short. W.M. Dixon and A. Aldis were injured by falling wreakage and spent 3 days in hospital at North Shields.

Nice to see postings from folks who used to frequent the Peacock Hotel in the sixties and beyond. Ged Brooksbank and Malc Bristow, notably. It makes me all weepy here in my private litle alcove where no one can see me. Especially the wife, as I have a two/four of Old Miwaukee Ice on hand.
Cheep stuff but still palatable, but I digress.
I'm led to believe that East Parade is now history, although the Peacock building still remains, albeit boarded up.
The rest, Cross's, Kettlewell's, the Pool office and Union office etc., all gone. Sad!
I have fond (?) recollections of Shea and Smithy in the Pool, and "Jock" Grant and Doug Hammond in the Union office next door. That's how I first discovered the Peacock, Yadda yadda yadda!
I'm also told that the Peacock is to become a new Charlie Oldridge project. I certainly recall that Charlie's dad, Joe, used to be a regular there when Sid and Rosie had it and probably before, so keep us informed.
Anyway, that's enough nostalgia for now. Hope I didn't offend anyone.
Are you listening Zygmund?
Incidentally, Chicago has the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw. Canada's Polish tally is about 3%.

Hey up Gary go easy on that old milwaukee Charlie Oldriges dad was Charlie Snr Joe is his younger brother.Jock Grant Union Rep
Did you mean Jock McCauly.
Carry on weeping in your beer.

Hi Pedro, thanks for the correction regarding Jock McCauly, the union rep. Jock Grant was one of the river pilots who used to frequent the Peacock around the same time.
You're right about Joe Oldridge Sr. also. Joe Jr. was an 'iron fighter' with whom I worked on a couple of jobs when I came ashore. Notably Yarrows at Drax 'A'.
Memory tends to get a bit blurry; could be the age thing or perhaps the Milwaukee Ice.
Pshffft! cheers.

Just stumbled across this site, due to a childhood obsession with ships!
I'd just like to say how much i have enjoyed reading everyones posts and how bizarre it is how we live in such a small world!
I'm a child of the eighties so unfortunatly was not lucky enough to live through this era! but it still fills me with pride everytime i research anything to do with the industrial heritage of Yorkshire!
Not your typical hoodie wearing chav am i lol, so say sad! I say proud!

Gary! You have a peculiar taste in beer, as I remember the "Yanky" brand of Milwaukee was like sex in a canoe cheers H

Hi Hamish, nice one about the old 'Old Milwaukee', but you know how it is; it was on special down at the Liquor Store and I just couldn't resist, being a Goolie and all.
Anyway, it is brewed in Canada and boasts the 5.5% alc/vol on the label. And believe it or not, it gives me a nice little buzz after a half doz. (@473 mL) or so. Without the hangover, non the less.
Much better than aftershave or Brasso! LOL
Pshffft! Cheers.

To anyone who may be able to help. I have only just found this site & noticed my Dads name (Monty Rhodes) in an earlier email.
Has anyone come across the term "Convoy of Cripples"? He came back to Liverpool as part of this Convoy of damaged ships from North Africa in late 42/early43. He was on the Novelist which was bombed alongside the Cruiser Ajax in Bone Harbour. But I dont know if this is the ship involved in the above mentioned Convoy.

Gary I must admit I don't have a loyalty to any one brand, living out here on the lake, we are inundated with Albertans coming and going to their lakeside cabins in the summertime, so I take full advantage of the means of transportation, and get a goodly supply of "Cheap" beer,( ten bucks a dozen,from the superstore) brought out, things get a bit slim in the winter tho' so I bight the bullet and have to frequent the local liquor, but that hurts a Scot, take care H

Harold Rhodes the cargo ship Novelist 6.133 gross tonage
(Charante SS Co Ltd T&J Harrison Mngrs) had been discharging her cargo of government stores at Bone harbour (Algeria).On the 1st Jan 1943 she was damaged by German aircraft and further damaged by near misses on the 17th Jan.After temporary repairs she sailed on the 25th Jan to Gibraltar. On the 7thFeb the ship joined up with the 93 ship convoy for Liverpool MKS-7.Which had departed Algiers on the 5th and arrived Liverpool on the 17th.
The ship survived the war and was renamed Phoenix in 1961 and was scrapped the same year in Hong Kong.
P.S. If you're Montys eldest son you and your mum sailed with us on the Lancasterbrook your Grandad Thompson was Engineer.Harold Lawson captain and your dad 1st mate.

Hello, just found this brilliant site whilst trying to trace my family tree/history. My maiden name was Lawson and I was so pleased to see the nice comments about my Uncle Harold who was a lovely man and true gent. He got me my first job in HOH offices in East Parade in 1966. My dad, Harry was in the merchant navy as was Uncle Joe. I have not lived in Goole now for 30 years but have had the Goole Times sent almost every week since I left.
Would anyone know how I can trace the ships my grandad Lawson (Harold's dad) sailed on please, I believe he was a Master Mariner but there are so few of us Lawsons left and I dont know where to start. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Reference Pedro and Harold Rhodes - We will soon have a complete set of postings from the sons of those that served on the Lancasterbrook. My father, Leslie Depledge steward on the above, often referred to Monty Rhodes and I may have sailed with him myself as during the summer holidays I would accompany my father for a couple of trips. My favourite was a voyage to the south coast with coal, calling at Newlyn for stone then on to Deptford Creek for discharge. On this trip the ship had some boiler trouble and we had to put into Falmouth for repairs! I was late back to school hence my favourite trip!

Monty (and others, obviously fed up of school boys) would send me to the engine room for 'a long stand' then I had to find a 'left handed spanner'. Eventually I got the message.

Happy Days.

Hi. Posted a inquiry on 3/8/09 about S.S.COTTINGHAM which sank off Lundy in 1915 wanted a crew list to see if SIDNEY HENRY CLEMENT was on it,its the only sinking that ties up with his death DEC 1919.can you help

Hello Dawn Binns. A bit late perhaps, but I've just noticed your message dated 4/6/08 Regarding your relative sailing on the"Fullerton" She was a brigantine built by John Banks at Howdendyke. In 1854 possibly the first one built by him and it sounds like its maiden voyage.I would be very interested to read his account if possible.

Tricia what was your grandad Lawsons christian name?

first what a great site . been reading it with interest, cannot lay claim to goole. Just looked because of my uncle Fred Walton age 93 still lives there.
My interest in the ships. do not think any-one can help. is in the 1881 census.looked for hobmans of selby.and up came ships in goole. puzzled by this clicked on . ships in port in goole 1881.
rolled down list. spotted hobman.
henry hobman age 28.master
ambroise hobman age 26 masters wife
wm ince. age 40 mate lambeth surrey
john w hobman age 2 masters son
ellen hobman age 2 months. masters daughter
all of selby.yorkshire.
name of vessel .kate.
these are my hobmans sure enough.apart from ellen did not have.
how can i check up.why it was in goole. was it a house boat .
did family live in it.
mike

For Michael Smith The Kate was a sailing sloop / barge. The master and his family living in the stern (back) accomodation.The mate Ince would live in the forward accomodation in this case alone She was built in Knottingley 1868 reg tonnage 33 the first registered owner was John Branford of Knottingley

For Richard Re-Cottingham the log books and crew agreements
are held at the Natonal Maritime Museum Greenwich.This will show if he was on the ship when it was torpedoed.
Tel 020 8858 4422
Fax 020 8312 6632
Website www.nmm.ac.uk
Lost at the time of sinking Benoke Lawrence Seaman
Cook Fredrick 2nd Eng
Grant Neil 2nd Mate
Lewis John Fireman
McPhael Alexander 1st Mate
Pearson George Henry 1st Engineer
Roberts Richard Fireman
many escaped including the Master but if he were indeed on board the National Maritime Museum would know.
All the deaths listed are taken from the Tower Hill WW1 section

Hi Pedro

No one actually knew as he was always called "Pa" in the family (and Grandma was "Ma" and woe betide anyone who called her anything else!!) However since original posting think may I have found him through 1901 census and it appears he could be John Robert - one of his sons was called that name but died I believe in infancy - There was a John Robert Robert Lawson from Goole registered on 1901 Census in Halling, Kent working on "Bertha" which was I believe a dredger and there was also a P Penn from Goole working with him who was 66 (John R Lawson was 33). The address given on census was Formby Chalk Works Lighter Bertha. Am now going to try 1911 census now that I appear to have a name. Does any of this mean anything to you?? Am getting quite excited to, hopefully, be getting things tied up would be grateful for any info anyone can give me.

Hello Pedro.
thank you for the excellent response to my query.it helps me a great deal.none the wiser when henry became a master. but you may like to know on the 1911 census was a
waterman living on a river barge.lock hill selby.
henry age 55. ambroise 51.john sandrson age 5.grandson.
seems liked being on the water.
cannot thank you and this site enough
mike

Hi everybody great site.

We are researching my wife's family history and her uncle Norman James Turney who was a naval gunner on the SS RIO DORADO sunk in 1941. His life was lost with 38 other crew We have the details of the sinking and by whom.What we would like info on if possible would be the crew and any photographs of the SS RIO DORADO if possible.

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards

Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones try http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthreads.php?t=30212
some info here also pic of the Rio Dorado.As a dems gunner your relative will be commemorated on the royal navy memorial at Portsmouth.All the Merchant Seamen lost are on the Towerhill memorial.

This is just for information remind people know that the Crew Lists and Log Books for the Second World War are kept at the National Archives in Kew, not at the National Maritime Museum. I was there this morning and I have to say the staff were excellent in helping me find the records I was seeking. Also the retrieval and copying systems are superb. If you go there it's useful to have the official number of the ship. But it's not essential as you can get it from the Lloyds Register which they also have. As I say the staff are very helpful, a key file is from the Board of Trade, ref BT381. Good hunting.

Richard re Cottingham
You could try any archives in Glasgow. it was sold to J. Little & Co , Glasgow in April 1914 or 1915. Captain Mitchell from Glasgow survived, the seven lost were all in the same boat who lost touch with the others around midnight. All the other crew members made it safely to Swansea. Chief engineer and 2nd engineer were from Hull, 1st & 2nd mates were from Gourock all of which were among those lost.

Hi Pedro
Thanks for the info on S.S.COTTINGHAM,still no better off this is the only ship I can find for Dec 1915 in Bristol Channel,he was washed up at Morethoe Devon in Jan 1916 but were told boxing day 1915

For Richard I seem to be missing something can you clarify in your previous posting you have is death 1919 and washed up in Devon 1916 was he a survivor

Further to my last comment about my late grandfather, John Robert Lawson, I have just noticed that as well as the P Penn, Mate, serving with him on the Bertha there was also a G Fletcher from Goole who was 20 years old in 1901 and was the ship's cook. Does this mean anything to anyone please?

Tricia.
I think a possible source of information about your Grandfathers career would be Trinity House in Hull. They did & still do provide pensions for Merchant Navy Officers. They provided me with a copy of the application letter for a pension from my Gt Grnd Father Richard Rhodes together with a list of the Sloops he was on as Master in the late 1800s
I also remember as a child overhearing my dad (Monty), who always refered to your Uncle Harold as "Cappy Lawson" telling someone, I dont remember who, that" Cappy Lawson had in his Boyhood years been lashed to the Mast by his father during a particulaly bad storm" The inference being that it was a sailing vessel. Hope this helps.

Pedro/John Depledge
Thanks for the information it is a big help & yes I am Montys eldest son, known to all in my youth and to the amusment of my Grandchildren as "Little Monty" I also remember the trips to Deptford/Newlyn/Poole/Ipswich/Shoreham/Rotterdam etc with great affection.
I have a small painting of the Lancaterbrook 1947 which was given to me by "Cappy Lawson" a man whom my dad held in great regard. I am trying to track down an Aerial (from a costal command plane I think) photograph of the Lancasterbrook, which shows my Grandfather Harold Thompson and Grandmother waving to the plane from the stern. It is possible it might be another ship as I am unsure of all the ships he was on. Can anybody help?

Sorry Pedro slipped up there.he was reported missing Dec 26 1915 and his body was washed up at Mortehoe Devon Jan 6 1916,still cant find which boat he was on

Thank you Harold for the information I will contact Trinity House as soon as possible. Loved the tale about Uncle Harold being lashed to the mast by Grandad - bet health and Safety would have something to say about that these days!! I wish I had done the family tree 30 years ago when he and Dad and Uncle Joe were alive it saddens me to think of all the good stories I have missed, a lesson for all young readers - do it now get all the info you can, you might think it boring now but you won't in years to come and it might be too late then. Thanks again.

For Harold/Pedro - re my ongoing search for Grandad Lawson. I contacted Halling Parish Council in Kent where Grandad and the other Goole Crew were registered during the 1901 Census as I mentioned earlier and found out that the Bertha, which was a sailing barge, was actually built in Halling in 1866. They have been very helpful as well as you two and are researching further for me. Do you think Bertha would have come up to Goole at some stage which was how the crew joined, or was it common practice for seamen to travel so far to get a vessel to work on and how would they have known?

Tricia the Bertha would (could) have sailed out of Goole. Halling on the Medway was no great distance for these sloops some even sailing as far afield as France.To get a better idea of this type of vessel click on top right of page Humber working craft.And see Sloops

I am trying to find out about The Collier side of my family, many of who were involved with ships. West Collier born c 1868 who was a shipping manager. I found the abbreviations Nav Shore manager Shipping Co, which don't mean a lot to me! Also my maternal grandfather, Robert Roy Collier born 1891 who I believe was an engineer and stevedore. I have a great-great grandfather who was a Thomas but he married in 1867 so clearly isn't the Tom Collier that is mentioned in one of the posts. Any feedback would be gratefully received.

For Jane Mosse
There are still descendants of Collier families in Goole.Those mentioned earlier i/e Jack and Tom were I believe cousins I would suggest at letter to the Goole Times may come up with a reply.

Many thanks for your post Pedro. Hopefully I'll be able to trace the connection and thanks for the suggestion of a letter to the press.

i have a merchant seaman's certificate of service and discharge book for john acaster b1909 of 11, elsie st, goole, served on s.s. rother no 12888 of 986 tons, don, justin woane?(no 169618), hodden. he was discharged after war duty 2-6-46. sailed from grimbsy, hull, heysham. there is a lot of info and a picture. nat. union seaman no 84189. certificate issued goole 1926 discharged goole '46.
email any queries

Jane I sailed with Jack Collier on the "Aire" a gentleman and a scholar, he was fleet commodore of the AHL at the time I believe

Just thought I'd wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Glad to see that this forum is successful in reuniting old acquaintances and filling in gaps in various peoples' research.

Thank you Gary !And likewise to everyone else on site!! "Lang May Yer Lums Reek"

Canadian Girl. In 1968 I was a photographer on board the old Queen Elizabeth. One of the passengers was a beatiful girl returning to Canada. Her mother was a famous artist who was known for painting Geese at Hudson Bay. I phoned her daughter from Boston in the 1970's. I don't know her name but I threw her a rose during dinner during a Transatlantic crossing to New York.
She has remained an unswered question throughout the last 40 years.
Anyone know a famous Canadian lady painter of Geese and wildlife in Hudson Bay in the 1970's Hey life's a challenge - nickmurray1@aol.com

For Hamish. Many thanks for this. I still haven't worked out where Jack fits in to the family tree. Could you enlighten me as to what AHL stands for? Many thanks.

Jane

I stand to be corrected but I am pretty sure that the initials, AHL stood for Associated Humber Lines, a one time subsidiary of the long gone British Transport Commission (BTC).

Confirmation that AHL was Associated Humber Lines, a.k.a. the Railway Boats. (If you are a Goolie, Railway Booats).
Whilst serving on these vessels we, the crew, were considered employees of British Railways and,as such, were entitled to travel warrants for rail travel.
My AHL ships were Byland Abbey; Kirkham Abbey; York; Darlington; Leeds; Wakefield and Whitby Abbey. All between 1959 and 1963. Happy days indeed!

A.K.A."Lanky" boats,Your recollection of them must be better than mine Gary! All I found them good for was time off, no money, they were very good at "Bending" the union agreement, time off in lieu of overtime, Sundays at sea etc, at their discretion only. I used them between colliers if nothing was going thru the Pool, and I had been as shore awhile. Only did three the "Aire" "Blyth" "Don" circa 52 to 57, and only stayed a couple of trips on each,had to sell the Bond bottle to make a living wage

hi there what a great site, can anyone give me any information on a ship called swinefleet please, my wifes great grandad was the captain on her,his name was commander white

Hi Hamish, I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks for your comments on my 'career' on the Railway Boats, a.k.a. the Lanky Boats, as you call them.
I agree with you on some points. However, I was never on any of the older ships that you mentioned. e.g. Ayre; Blyth; Don, etc., so can't comment on conditions at the time.
My first was the Darlington in 1959 - I had been deep sea prior to that so I was new to H/T articles - didn't like it!
My next AHLer was the Byland Abbey (Frg), where I fell in love with Copenhagen from day one! I did not stay on this ship to get rich, just for the run. I loved the place. Good accom., good shipmates and not too many arseholes on the bridge. (There were some, no names, no pack drill)!
Same applies to other AHLers.
Hamburg/Bremen; Antwerp/Ghent; Rotterdam/Amsterdam. At least one night ashore in each place. All on the company buck!
That's what I meant by 'happy days'! What else?
To do what we did then would cost megabucks thesedays!
Forget about the bad times, everybody has them!
Cheers to the next time!

Hi John,
re Swynfleet. Register number 136734 Launched 2 November 1914 by Osbourne, Graham & Co at Sunderland. for Constantine Doresa, London as the Belge. Bought by Ouse SS. Co., Goole in 1919 and renamed Swynfleet.
1,168 grt. 240.3ft in length, 36.5ft beam 15ft 4ins draught. Triple expansion 3 cylinder engine. Cylinder diameter 17ins; 28ins and 46ins with a stroke of 33ins producing 148 NHP giving a speed of 10 knots.
Signal code letters M F R B. Last voyage was from Goole to Ipswich with a load of coal when she hit a mine off Harwich 25 January 1942 position 51.56.3N 1.19.3E

John,

There's a picture of the Swynfleet at http://www.web-exhibition.net/details.aspx?id=692

Gary I agree great runs, and runs ashore, The "Don" for example spent one weekend in Goole then the next weekend in Copenhagen, every weekend in port, well what with Tivoli Gardens and the Brewery tours, the girls that came aboard, hells bells one needed the constitution of a horse, I can recall one time having to borrow the bus fare (till I sold my bond bottle)to get me home to Leeds from Goole. But I do admit they were great times

For Tricia & John Depledge

John you may have seen this. In going through some of my accumulated things I have found a photocopy (poor) of the Goole Times report (11 Oct 1940) of the attack by German Planes on the Sanfry. It mentions L Depledge & a J Lawson (Brother of Cptn) who manned the guns after the gunner was wounded. There is further info in the article.
If you cannot get this from the Library at Goole contact me & I will forward you a copy.
Harold. I think in the future I will use "Little Monty" as my ID.

Harold,thank you so much, I would love a copy of the article on my Uncle Joe on the Sangfry. How do I contact you please?

SWYNFLEET photo also on my site at
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Private/ouse/swynfleet1914.htm

"Little Monty"

Thanks for the kind thought regarding the Sanfry incident. I have quite a lot of information already including letters from the government agencies refering to the awards, also Lloyds List reports, and copies of the BBC broadcasts.

I have a photograph of some of the "Lancasterbrook" crew,unfortunately I cannot just put my hands on it. It will turn up. I know my Dad is on it and I am certain there is a dog on the photograph. I remember the dog when I took my trips on the ship. Regards John

For John Depledge

Thanks for checking, please bear me in mind when you come across it.
For the Swynfleet fans I have a Photo Copy which I think was of the Swynfleets crew including my Dad & maternal Grandad which I would guess would have been taken in the mid 30s, if anyone is interested. I think? the Captain was an Arnold.

LM.

Tricia,
Ref previous posting and your interest in the papers that Harold Rhodes referred to. I have a photograph of the Sanfry crew taken by the Goole photographer J.G. Powles. I presume it was taken around the time of the incident. Both Joe and Harold Lawson are on the photograph. I think we should continue this discussion by e mail - johndepledge@hotmail.com. Perhaps I can send you a copy.

For Tricia

Tricia, maybe as with John the best way to make contact is by e-mail. Mine is
haroldrhodes@btinternet.com.

The copy I have is some years old and does not scan well its an old type photostat and the page is distorted but just readable.
Harold (Little Monty)

hello corby bunting. I have recently been introduced to this great website in the hope that I can trace my dad ron"s brother alan wheldrake. you said that you were great friends with them both and hope you can help me. all i have to go on is that I know alan met and maybe married a girl from hull named pat whose family had some wet fish shops in hull . I think then they emigrated to new zealand and lost contact with alan many years ago.I dont know whether he is still there or whether he is back in this country but I would love to be able to find him, as my dad ron has often said he wonders where alan is .could you help me with any info or know anyone who knows. thankyou

hi pedro being reading your messages and you seem to know alot about the shipmates. please could you help me. I am trying to trace my dads brother alan wheldrake. after working on the ships I think he emigrated to new zealand. my dad ron has often wondered what happened to him, so i would love to try and find out for my dad.any info would be very much appreciated.

I worked for the transport docks board in the main offices in the mid 70s and remember issuing the shipping lists to the papers each week. I always remember the dredger Anglezark and wonder what became of her. I remember seeing her keeping the docks and the dock gates clear presumably dropping the dredgings out at sea.
Does anybody know what happened to her, she looked a lot like the Goole Bight pictured on this site ?

Sorry jdr remember Alan well but never heard of him for years.I asked around in the club Ron (nobby) Clark who lived near your family in Escourt St was surprised to hear your dad was still around and sends his regards.I will keep asking around tho.

STEVE there is a photo of the Angelzarke on eastcoastersfotopic website if this is of help.There might be a link telling you were to look next

pedro thanks for replying to my message also thankyou for trying to find whereabouts of my dads brother alan. if you ever do find anything i would very much appreciate if you let me know. i will tell dad nobby clark sends his regards.thanks

Ahoy Pedro!! Happy new year to you and yours! And many more of them.Any updates on my good buddy "The Guy" and have you heard anything on the "Cannon"or have they truly gone to ground, cheers H

Happy new year Hamish Guy must be picking up I heard he went to Spain for a jolly.Nothing on George possibly still going to church with her indoors.Myself awaiting a flight to Mount gay rum country keep well

To Alan Anderson: With regards to the RivTow Viking and her history here in Canada. She was captained for many years by my uncle Bob Mollison and was for a time the largest tug on the west coast of North America (or so I was told). Bob died quite a few years ago sadly. I decided to look him and the ship up on the web and came across your mention of her in a post above. I understood she had been sent to China to be scrapped, are you saying that the ship is still in existence and in Goole (wherever that is)? I would be very happy to hear she still floated and wasn't scrapped.
Warren Grant, Victoria, BC, Canada

Hey Warren!! You don't know where Goole is? You have never lived (just Kidding) regards from a fellow BC'r

Warren the tug was built here locally may I suggest you read Pedros input above re-her history.He probably knows her eventual fate

Re: Warren Grant's posting on 26/1/'10.
Hey Warren, go easy on the veiled insults about Goole, (wherever that is)... indeed.
If you go to the home page on Goole-on-the-web, which you must have done to post your enquiry, you will see in the top left corner, under Introduction, second from top, 'Where is it?
Give it a whirl and satisfy your curiosity. Meanwhile, your appology is accepted!
Hope you find what your looking for.
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Actually no insult was meant. I came directly to this page from google having done a search for "Rivtow Viking". I have not heard of Goole, although admittedly I didn't read the menu on the left side to find out more :)
Thanks for clearing things up folks, its not that she ended up in Goole but rather that she started there. I will read through the posts above when I get some time.

for Warren the Tenacity was built by Cochrane shipyard at Selby
Yorkshire in 1940 as the Diligent
Renamed Adherent 1947
Renamed Hermes 1962
Renamed Rivton Viking 1970
Renamed Canadian Viking 1985
scrapped around 86 or 1987
She was 700 tons some tug.

Thanks Pedro, much appreciated. Just FYI, if its of interest, Rivtow has a scale model of the Rivtow Viking. I saw it at a conference I attended about a decade ago. I talked to the guys at the display and they remembered my uncle very fondly.
I found this picture: http://www.kleamanmarine.com/Rivtow_Viking.bmp
Although I am sure you have come across it already :)

The Tenacitys sister ship was the Prudent exact same dimensions.She became the Rivertow Lion deliberately sunk recently off Vancouver Island to make an artificial reef.

There you have it Warren, there is a little bit of Goole(Selby)in BC

Can anyone help me. My great Uncle was a seaman who lived in Goole and who was captured by the Germans during World War 1 while at sea, as was his son Leslie, a minor. He was interned in Ruhleben prisoner of war camp in Germany in 1914 or 1915 and was there throughout the duration of the war. Does anyone have any information on this or his family. Thank you

Pete Johnson
peterjohnson4@talk21.com

Names would help. Are we talking Johnsons? Also do you have a ships name as Goole library archives must have this story. Especially about someone so young.

Ref-Ruhleben pow camp
James Askew born Ipswich but residing at 26Wesley Square Goole was a seaman on the SS Edwin Hunter interned 1914 was eventually repatriated thro neutral Holland on March22 1918. Only Goole man I found at the moment.

I knew Fred Porter ( wiggy ) was interned In Germany 1914 but don't know what camp

A total of 40 Goole men are listed as prisoners.The ships involved are the Equity-Winterton-Edwin Hunter-and the Dearne.
I found only one Johnson GW AB of 69 Marlborugh Ave on the Dearne.No info as yet to a son Leslie Although only 4 boys age 14yrs interred at various camps and only 1 at Ruhleben A Holmes
of Deeplish Rochdale was an aprentice.all repatriated due to their age.One unlucky chap was due to be freed unfortunately his 16 birthday fell on his day of freedom he was sent back and held for the duration.
Wiggy Porter of 10 Richard Cooper St listed as AB on the Dearne
altho when I sailed with him he was Chief Steward.

Incidentally the youngest casualty of WW2 in the Merchant Navy was 14year old Reginald Earnshaw killed under enemy fire on board the SS Devon.He had lied about his age claiming he was 15 so he could join the war effort.He was born in Dewsbury 1927 moved to Edinburgh 1939 and buried in Comely Bank Cemetery

Hello to Warren Grant,Ref.posting 29.1.2010.The Rivtow Viking as Tenacity had quite a time during WW11 working out of St.Johns with a crew of Goole men and Canadians and was instrumental in some 'Famous rescues'.I will ask the Webmaster to give you my E-mail Add. if you wish to see some of the details I have to date.Cheers,Alan .

Researching my family tree has revealed that my roots are deeply entrenched in Knottingley with generations of mariners. My great grandfather Sam Johnson was a master mariner and is shown on the 1881 census aboard the John Pickard, and on the 1891 census aboard the Aquila of Goole. The latter ship I understand was wrecked in Sept 1902 off Spurn Point. Is it possible to find out any further info on these ships? Also any one who might know anything about the family of Johnson, my g.grandmother's name was Zignoria, maybe that will help.

Maureen I dont know if you are aware of the Knottingley Family History Data base website.I found this site invaluable in my search for info on Knottingley Mariners.
The John Pickard was built at Burton Stather 1870 for John Pickard of Wakefield. There was two Aquilas Schooners
No1 Aquila built 1861 at Knottingley by Cliffes for William Morrill and Nathaniel Dickinson.
Aquila 2 built 1864 by Cliffes at Knottingley for William Taylor and
John Arnold she was broken up in 1920.
Not come accross Sam Johnson as yet.But in 1834 John Johnson
of Knottingley was master of the sloop Active he was age 21
In 1839 the Sloop BEE was captained by Thomas Johnson age 35
his brother Richard was the mate age28.
and in 1844 William Johnson was mate on the Sloop Horrocks.

My great grandfather John Townsley and my great uncle Charlie Melrose were both interned in Ruhleben during WW1 and in researching their time there I managed to buy a CD on the internet which I am sure you would find interesting. It is a compilation of a magazine published by the prisoners of war.If you get in touch with me via my e-mail address I will try to make it available to you.
chris.townsley1@googlemail.com

Clearly my message was really directed at Pete Johnson. I tried to e-mail Peter but the message was thrown back at me??
My grandfather was serving on the Edwin Hunter. It was I believe her chief engineer who started the camp magazine.

I think that I misssed the 1 from my e-mail adddress.
I have found a George W Johnson an Ab on the Dearne and a Johnstone on the Winterton.He was a donkeyman.
The originals of the Ruhleben magazines are deposited in the British Library having been donated by the family of Mr Hunter.

John Townsley was the chief officer i/e 1st mate
Charlie Melrose second officer 2nd mate

Just to complete my mention of my uncle who was captain of the Rivtow Viking for so many years, I will add a few details at least.
His name was Robert Mollison, although everyone called him Bob. He was born on Pender Island in the Gulf Islands, where my grandparents had a family farm (140 acres when I was born) but larger in my mother's time when Bob was growing up. He was in the Merchant Marine in WWII because he had polio as a child and couldn't get into the Canadian Navy. I believe he was on (one of, if not the) last boat out of Singapore before it fell to the Japanese. I know he mentioned being in Cape Town or Durban when there was a huge riot with Australian sailors.

My great grandfather John Townsley seems not to have been the luckiest of men. His father William was lost at sea off Treport France in 1872 when John was 13, John himself was the captain the the SS Colne which sank in 1907, he then spent WW1 in a prisoner of war camp and then in 1923 lost his life when the Merville sank off Holland.

Warren the ship could have been the SS.Duke of Bedford left Singapore 31st Jan for England (Canadian Pacific). I dont think the riots were sailors in Durban but troops some 400 revolted about the conditions on board the SS City of Canterbury she was infested with bugs and they refused to board her, (this is well documented) The only other unrest in Durban at that time
was locals were upset when Aussie troops marched thro singing waltzing matilda But lets not forget South Africa at this time had many pro germans

On February 10th I responded to a comment made by Peter Johnson re the Ruhleben prisoner of war camp. I also sent Peter an e-mail with the Ruhleben magazine attached. No reply has been received from Peter and I wonder if through your pages he might let me know if in fact he received by messages. I did have difficulty with his e-mail address and had a message sent back to me.

hello again pedro, hope you dont mind but I was wondering if you have managed to find out anymore info on my dads brother alan wheldrake,as you said in your message to me on the 19th jan you will keep asking around.I was told maybe guy who has gone on a jolly to spain might be able to help, and also hamish who you have contact with is a friend of guy, could hamish know anything about alan. I await your reply thanks

Greetings JDR, sorry but I have never heard of your family name at anytime during my sea going career, but Billy the Guy might as he was lifelong "Goolie" I on the other hand hailed from Leeds and only got to know the few"Goolies" I shipped with

i am trying to fill in some missing years in the life of my grandfather - Albert George (Jack ) Fitch.
He did time on S S Alt, M V Darlington and M V Fountains Abbey.
I would be interested if any one could fill in the years between Alt and Darlington. A big ask perhaps?

Hi.I am Ken Thompson born in Goole,my father sailed alot of years on the ships known as the Railway boats,also my brother.I am after a picture of the Alt which my father sailed on for I believe (memory not too good these days) for a lot of years.also others in the company,the Selby and the Irwell.My first time on this site.Be grateful news where I can obtain the picture of the Alt and the Selby.

Try top corner this page, click on Riversea, scroll down till you find "Selby"1922 version cheers H

Hi
You can find a picture of the SS Alt here.
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/lancs/alt1911.htm

Hello Ken, I sailed on the Irwell July 52 -Aug 53 as galley boy and our Asst stewards name was Thompson,in fact when he left I got his job. would that be the same person?I can't remember his christian name. Ed.

To transportman, Ref yr mail of 1.11.2009. I don't appear to have said thanks for the crewlist of the SS.Don! Still no luck with the later career of Walter Maude Dixon. Maybe Kew could help.

Hi John,
Try Southampton Archives, Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton SO14 7LY. Email city.archives@southampton.gov.uk They do a postal search which used to be £10 for up to 3 seamen with the same surname. They had a clear out of records in I think 1921 and all seamens records who were no longer sailing were destroyed.

I recently found an item about the letter I have relating to the `Fountains Abbey` but I am unable to find out who queried it.
If you can Email me I shall respond. Cheers

Hi Peter the letter is addressed to a Mrs. ClarK and dated 6th March 1962 but there is no address for her.
However there is a "Crossing The Line" certificate with it for a David Clark of the Royal Air Force.

I am trying to track down any photos of Derek (Curly) Cunningham who died about 1973. I know he was on the Melrose Abbey for a while. I am trying to compile a history for his ex wife who is now married to me. Mant thanks.

Greetings. Wonder if Pedro, Hamish, Corby or anyone else is able to help. I am keen to find images of the old " Lanky"/ AHL ship, the SS Don which sailed out of Goole/ Hull in the Thirties and through to the Fifties. I am also keen to find out more about her service during WW2. She had some narrow escapes, I know, and sailed in convoys to Iceland and later in the war, in the Med to north Africa, Italy and Sicily.Grateful for any pointers as to where I might locate images/ and or info on her war service.

Peter! Top right this page, Goole shipyard info ,railway boats, scroll down to LMS, three good pictures of SS Don, I was on her in the early 50s, four or five trips to Copenhagen, happy ship but poor pay, sorry I dont know any of her wartime history altho a couple of the Railway Boats did see sevice in the war as convoy rescue ships, and a fine record they achieved,cheers H

Hamish

Many thanks for pointing me to the LMS ships archive and much appreciate your speedy response.Regards.
Peter H

Hamish is right -the Melrose Abbey , Bury and Stockport gave gallant service as rescue ships - the Stockport was lost with 300 plus on board and the Bury was famous for her rescue of the survivors of the American ship SS St Angelo

Peter

Re the SS Don's war record try this site

http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/index.html

Traced all my dads ships on here broken down to individual convoys - he was ex AHL as well mainly Whitby Abbey and Melrose Abbey but also the Don in the early 50's

Can anyone provide information on any of the Earnshaw men that where ship owners in Goole and Knottingley. All men were born Knottingley.

John Earnshaw aged 70 on 1881 cen Knottingley on board "Welcome Home" with his wife Amy.

Septimus Earnshaw aged 36 on 1881 cen Guernsey on board as Master of "Vigo". Son of John Earnshaw above.

George Thomas Earnshaw c 1868 found as Master of "The Three Brothers" a Sloop built by West of Knottingley on the Humber Packets Boats website. Son of Septimus Earnshaw above.

Septimus's wife and children lived at 33 Vermuyden Terrace, Goole on 1881 cen.

Any information regarding the men and any of their boats/ships would be most gratefully appreciated. If anyone would like to reply to me personally here is my email intelligentwend@hotmail.com
Thank you.

Martin,

Very many thanks for your helpful reference to the hugely informative warsailor site. I have had a quick look and made a note of the website address. It is quite amazing to find just how much information is now available on the web and those of us looking for info owe a real debt of gratitude to the people who have assembled it.I look forward to starting my own " voyage " imminently.

Hi I am looking for information on William Denby D.O.B 1855 born in Wisbech Cambs, married to Mary Moody D.O.B 1856 born in Goole. William Denby in the 1881 census was second mate aboard the S S China, Goole. 1891 census William was mate aboard S S Navarra, Rotherhithe, London. 1901 census William Denby and wife Mary Moody were living at 30, SOTHERTON St, Goole with their marreid daughterFrancis Bell age 21, son William Denby age 19, dock labourer, daughter Millie Denby. Sunday March 11, 1906, SS Africa (Captain Denby) Bennett Steamship Co Ltd, arrived at Goole docks, Boulogne. SS Africa was charted by the Admiralty at the beginning of the WW1 and sank after striking a mine on 15 September 1915. This information came form Goole A Port in Green Fields by Joyce Mankowska 1973. Mary Moody was the daughter of George Moody D.O.B 1829 and Eliza Drewery D.O.B 1830 both born in Goole. If anyone has any information on either families and any history of William in his sailing days and the ships he sailed I would be very grateful.
I can be contacted on email address veronica.doveholes@tiscali.co.uk
I would jusy like to say what a wonderful site you in Goole

I have received this information from the Sobriety Waterways Museum re EARNSHAW.
I thought it would be most useful to post the information on here.
intelligentwend@hotmail.com


I’ve had a look through our Goole records, and what we have of any Knottingley records and have found the following:


George Earnshaw had the following vessels:
· LISSIE built in 1859 at Stanley Ferry and operating from Knottingley. Partners were George Jackson and William Sayner
· KALODYNE built in 1859 at Goole and operating from Knottingley. Partner was Benji Tupman

Septimus Earnshaw:
· VIGO built in 1859 at Goole and operating out of Knottingley. Partners were Jeremiah Bentley of Goole, Thomas Ramsey of Goole, and Joseph Arnold of Knottingley.

I’ve no trace of John Earnshaw, but in the Knottingley lists there is a Thomas Earnshaw who had a sloop called THREE BROTHERS built in 1803.

In Goole, slightly later, there is a Richard Earnshaw:
· OSPREY, a schooner owned by Richard in 1880
· MANNE DU CIEL, a ketch owned by Richard in 1885

I was wondering if this might be the same family that later had Earnshaws Chandlers shop on Bridge Street, Goole, as I believe they had their own boats as well?

rachel@waterwaysmuseum.org.uk

There is a FAMILY HISTORY day to be held at the
Sobriety Waterways Museum, Goole.

A Family History day is to be held on Sunday 9th of May at the Museum – all the local history groups are coming.

This will be the ideal opportunity for anyone with Shipping Families as well as Family History in general.

Wendy

I have heard on the radio this am that there is a new book on sale at Amazon and all local bookshops.

Local Heroes: An Epic WW2 Shipwreck and Survival Story - Paperback (26 Mar 2010) by Neil Carlsen
Buy new: £9.99 @ Amazon

This book contains information re a ship that was torpedoed and the ship had 18 men on board from Hull.
Sorry I cannot give name of ship as I did not hear the full report from the beginning.

Wendy the book's about 15 year old James Nicholson Meek's first voyage. He joined the SS Peterton bound for Buenos Aires. The Peterton was sunk by U109. The crews struggle for survival drifting in two lifeboats off the coast of West Africa.
A Great Read.

Re:- Local Heroes: An Epic WW2 Shipwreck and Survival Story (Paperback)
by Neil Carlsen (Author)

Here are the ISBN No's for ordering and publishers details:-

Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Futures Publications (26 Mar 2010)
ISBN-10: 1871131197
ISBN-13: 978-1871131192
Product Dimensions: 21 x 14.8 x 1.1 cm

On Amazon website. This review is from: Local Heroes: An Epic WW2 Shipwreck and Survival Story (Paperback)
Working on the editing of this book provided real insight into surviving forty-nine days in an open lifeboat in the mid-Atlantic. Carlsen has done some excellent research and produced a well-written account of a boy who leaves home, goes to sea and comes back a man.
Vincent Bartley

Hi Pedro
As I understood from the Radio interview with the author, this is a newly released book of March 2010. Maybe it has been re-printed again with more information added. It was certainly mentioning the ship and crew from Hull.
Also the author Carlsen is from South Shields and is donating all his profits from this book to a football charity up there. He himself lives in Norway.
It would be worthwhile Pedro for you to take a look at this "new" book and then let folk know if it is a different book or just a re-print with added information.

I have been busy finding information re Earnshaw and their vessels. I have found a great deal and thought it worthwhile posting the information on here. If anyone can add to or correct anything, please feel free to do so, I am new to Shipping, but learning slowly.

Manne Du Ciel: St Ninian's Bay, Atlantic
________________________________________
Organisation The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Alternative Name(s) G 197; ST NINIAN'S ISLE
Canmore ID 240276
Site Type LUGGER (19TH CENTURY)
County MARITIME
Parish MARITIME - SHETLAND ISLANDS
Council SHETLAND ISLANDS
NGR HU 365 210
Latitude, Longitude 59.972296N, 1.347969W
Images 0
Archaeological Notes
HU32SE 8009 c. 365 210
N59 58.4 W1 20.8

NLO: St Ninian's Bay [name centred HU 371 203]
Bigton Wick [name centred HU 372 210]
St Ninian's Isle [name centred HU 365 210].

Manne du Ciel: [max. date] 1892
72 tons [gross]. Built Gravelines 1878. Crew saved.
Archive Ref: RSB
Source: Shetland Archive Service [undated]
MS/3025, no. 798.

27 June 1892. MANNE DU CIEL. 12 years of France. Wood lugger. 24 ton. 7 men. Master C. Joseph. Owner B. Adof, Gravelines, France. Gravelines to fishing. Ballast. Wind SW10. St. Ninian's, Shetland.
Source: PP Abstracts of Shipping Casualties on Coasts, or in Rivers and Harbours of the UK July 1891-92 (1893-94 [C.7069] LXXX.711).
NMRS, MS/829/68 (no. 1400).

(Classified as three-masted lugger: no cargo specified, but registration number cited as G 197, and date of loss as 20 June 1892). Manne du Ciel: this vessel was wrecked in St Ninian's Bay. Capt. Copelle. (Capt. Joseph?)
Registration: Gravelines. Built 1880. 24 tons [unspecified].
(Location of loss cited as N59 58.33 W1 20.0).
I G Whittaker 1998.
The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 20 March 2003.
Related Material Information - Bibliographical References
Larn and Larn, R and B (1998) Shipwreck index of the British Isles: volume 4, Scotland, London. Held at RCAHMS: E.5.14.LAR
Whittaker, I G (1998) Off Scotland: a comprehensive record of maritime and aviation losses in Scottish waters, Edinburgh. Held at RCAHMS: E.5.14.WHI
Related Material Information - Description of Collections
________________________________________
MS829/68 (4/2001) Order this item
Tabulated information from Maritime Enhancement Project (conducted 1995-2001 with sponsorship from Historic Scotland), records 1001-2500. Ian Oxley (Scottish Institute of Maritime Studies, St Andrews University), April 2001. [Information derived from Lloyd's List (to end 1884), parliamentary papers and related sources: for further details of this project, see Final Report MS/829/166]. RCAHMS
MS3025 (17/5/2007) Order this item
Miscellaneous undated information relating to maritime wrecks and casualties, received from Shetland Archive Service. Shetland Archive Service.

I think this is the same vessel as owned by Richard Earnshaw of Goole 1880
~~~~~~~
Place: Yarmouth Registration District, 1881 Census Street Index S-T

Shipping Sloope Home Trade Manne Du Ciel RG 11/1915 87
Richard Earnshaw was the owner at the time of this census. Can anyone help with the census information please???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FIELD SYSTEMS AND PLACE NAMES
OF OLD KNOTTINGLEY
TERRY SPENCER B.A. (Hons), Ph D.
GAZETTEER OF PLACE NAMES

BEN KALODYNE TERRACE
Something of a misnomer as the property consisted of two dwelling houses located at the forefront of Tupmans Yard, Racca Green, one of which was occupied by Captain Benjamin Tupman. The origin of the name is not known but Mr. Ron Gosney has posited the theory that it may have been derived from the fusion of Tupman’s forename with that of his wife who was Belgian born. The theory is lent further substance by the fact that Captain Tupman named one of his sailing ships ‘Kalodyne’, presumably in honour of his wife.

NOTE: George Thomas Earnshaw also owned Kalodyne 1859 Goole with Benji Tupman
Capt B Tupman also brought over to same area a family from Belgium, thought to be his wife's rellies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Place: Plymouth Registration District, 1871 Census Street Index S-T

Shipping Schooner Kalodyne RG 10/2124 137-138
Would think by now George would have sold the vessel onto someone else ? Can anyone help with census details please??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Piece details FO 956/56
Context
FO Records created and inherited by the Foreign Office

Division within FO Records of Embassies, Legations, Consulates, etc

FO 956 Foreign Office: Consulate, Flushing, Netherlands: General Correspondence and Letter Books

Subseries within FO 956 CASE FILES

Record Summary
Scope and content Kalodyne of London: stranded on coast
Covering dates 1858
Availability Open Document, Open Description, Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years
Held by The National Archives, Kew

This could be same vessel Kalodyne as owned by George Earnshaw 1859 ??
~~~~~~
BRITISH MERCHANT VESSELS - OFFICIAL NUMBERS, &C.
BRITISH ENSIGN to be hoisted at some other Mast-Head
OFFICIAL NUMBER
25194 KALODYNE 113 TONS PORT:- GOOLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MERCHANT VESSELS
FIRST DISTINGUISHING PENDANT to be hoisted over the number, or at some other Mast-Head
KALODYNE 2609

NOTE:- George Earnshaw owned Kalodyne 1859.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ENGLISH MEN OF WAR
UNION JACK to be hoisted over the number
1260 OSPREY (4, sc. St.) sc = Schooner ? st = Schoot
~~~~~~~~~~~~
MERCHANT VESSELS
FIRST DISTINGUISHING PENDANT to be hoisted over the number, or at some other Mast-Head
9257 OSPREY
~~~~~
MERCHANT VESSELS
FIRST DISTINGUISHING PENDANT to be hoisted over the number, or at some other Mast-Head
9258 OSPREY, st. St = Schoot
NOTE:- Richard Earnshaw owned Osprey a schooner 1880, which could be any of the above, can anyone help??
~~~~~~~~~
The following can be viewed in the book and read on-line at
http://www.archive.org/stream/lloydsregisters05unkngoog#page/n6/mode/1up
Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping
1st July 1861 to 30th June 1862
I hope I have transcribed the info correctly ??

Page 259
No 7 Kaladoyne Sr I.B. Master B. Tupman 114 tons Built by Day of Goole 5mo 1859 Owner B. Tupman
Port belonging Goole. Destined voyage Goo. No of Year first assigned 10. Character for Hull & Store A 1. 59
NOTE:- George Earnshaw owned Kaladoyne 1859, partner was Benji Tupman.

I.B. = Iron Bolts, the method used for making this vessel, the following are also are I.B. Sr = Schooner

There is many listings for vessels named OSPREY, page 348/9. A bit more research is required to find the one that was owned by Richard Earnshaw. His Osprey was Schooner

Page 469
No 5 Vigo Sr. I.B. Master T. Ramsey. 95 tons. Built by Pearson of Goole. 10 mo 1859. Owners Bentley & Drp.60
Port belonging Goole. Destined voyage HulCoaster. No of Year first assigned 10. Character for Hull & Store A 1. 8,60

NOTE:- Septimus Earnshaw was Master of this vessel on 1881 census @ Port of Guernsey, but did he own her too?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is many listings for vessels named Three Brothers, page 448 no’s 3-6, any of these could have been the one George or Thomas Earnshaw were using. Their Three Brothers was a Sloop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cannot find Lissie as the page is unreadable ! or could be LiZZie ?? Page 278 No’s 5-7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now this entry could be “Welcome Home” as on 1881 census with John & Amy Earnshaw. A bit more research to find out. Part of L/H page is missing, so no number.
Page 479
Welcome Sr. I.B. Master G. Wright. 95 tons. Built at Goole. 1852. Owners Wright & Co. Destined voyage GooCoaster.
No of Year first assigned 10. Character for Hull & Store A 1. 57.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Benji/Benjamin Tupman had a brother Edward who part owned Sarah a Sloop, built at Knottingley by Cliffe. I wonder if Tupman and Earnshaw lived near to each other in Knottingley or were family members via marriage etc.

Thankyou, Wendy

Wendy sorry I havent read it as yet I meant to say it will be a good read . I have it ordered £9.99 at Amazon same price elswhere.

People might find this link very informative re the book by Neil Carlsen

http://www.futurespublications.co.uk/LH.html

Manne du Ciel translates to English as HAMPER OF THE SKY.

Question:-
What is a Hamper on a schooner????

I can now give a bit more info re the census for the
Manne du Ciel, 1881 Yarmouth.

Armand Le Gain unmarried 25 yrs Master Vannes, France
Charles Dessier unmarried 25 yrs Mate Honfleur, France
Alfred Cagaine married 50 yrs AB Seaman Honfleur France
Ernest Guellien 10 yrs Boy, Brittany, France

I can now give more info on 1871 Plymouth census for Kalodyne:-

1871 Census : Vessels (Kalodyne) Devon
RG 10/2124 f137

William Crook, married, 37, mate, Brixham Devon
Thomas Browne, unmarried, 33, AB seaman, Montreal Canadian
Peter Anderson, unmarried, 15, O Seaman, Saltcoate Scotland
Albert Elsden, unmarried, 16 [10?], boy, Deptford Kent

Ahoy Pedro!! Can you guys use "kindle" over there? One can get one from Amazon and download any book you wish for less than three pound,pays for its self very quickly(if you are an avid reader)

More Census info on the Earnshaw clan.

1861 Vessel "HOPE":
RG9/4490 33
James Earnshaw, unm, 22, Master, b. Knottingley
Septimus Earnshaw, unm, 19, Mate, b. do.(3 years over c 1845)
Joseph Ward, 18, Boy, b. Stockworth Lincs
Situation Portland ??? Dorset

Can anyone help with info for HOPE, was she a Humber Packet?
Or was she a vessel owned by Benji Tupman of Knottingley??
Or did Septimus own/part share her??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1871 cannot find the family anywhere ?????
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1881 Vessel "VIGO"
St Sampson, Guernsey, Channel Islands
RG11 5628 / 44

Septimus EARNSHAW M Male 36 Knottingley,York Eng Master
W.G. DANNEALSON M Male 46 Sweden Mate
George BOOTHBY U Male 19 Lincoln, Eng O Seaman
Edward ROBB U Male 17 Newark, Nottingham, Eng Cook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1881 Wife and Children of Septimus above
33 Vermuyden Terr. Goole, York, England
RG11 4701 / 69

Mary EARNSHAW Wife (Head) M Female 34 West Stockwith, Lincoln, England Marina's Wife
George T. EARNSHAW Son Male 13 Knottingley, Lincoln, England
Polly F. EARNSHAW Daur Female 8 Knottingley, Lincoln, England Scholar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1891 vessel "VIGO"
RG12/921 19 19

Septimus Earnshaw, master, mar, 46, b. Knottingley
on board with a mate, an able seaman and an ordinary seaman, at Southampton Docks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Confusion re this Septimus Earnshaw c 1845 Knottingley his father is said to be John Earnshaw.
There is another Septimus Earnshaw born Knottingley c 1845 and his father is also Septimus Earnshaw.
Can anyone shed any light on these two families and if there are connected please.

Thanks Wendy

Hi Hamish yes we can get kindle but as yet I havent used it.Will give it another coat of looking at tho.

Wendy I doubt that anything on the schooner was named a hamper. Sailing ship crews and (owners) where a supersticious and religous lot. And ships names reflected this I did read that the correct wording was La Manne Duciel and meant The Hand of Heaven

Wendy my family were the Cawthorns of Knottingley.I note the Question mark against the captain Joseph? of the Manne Du Ciel
This was Joseph Cawthorn he was also the master of Felicity-William & Sarah Ann also the Nancy. The book sailing ships and Mariners of Knottingley by Ron Gosney and Rosemary Bowyer M.A has lots of info including a nice picture of the Manne Du Ciel
and her Master Joseph Cawthorn in Aldam Dock 1893.

Hi Pedro
I see where you come from with the spelling for Manne Du Ciel, most likely this was the English way of writing it, yours is most likely the correct French way.
Will have to look up this book you mention, got some more info for this Earnshaw clan, will post in next couple of days.
I do believe I have found the connection with Robert Earnshaw, vessel owner/Chandler of Goole and John Earnshaw, looks like they were son and father.

I have found these documents held by Rhagorol On-line Catalogue (Wales) has Manne du Ciel and many many others, this site is searchable too.

http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/datrhagorolnet/Chwilio.aspx?iaith=en&geiriau_chwilio=william,hughes&chwilio_yn=0&chwilio_am=dau&math_chwiliad=unrhyw_gair&maint_testun=100&cyferbyniad=&rhif_tudalen=295

XM2418/382

BUNDLE of statements by the Maen-Offeren Slate Quarry Co. Ltd., Davies Brothers, Porthmadog, R. Bowton and Co., Bwlch-y-Slater, Porthmadog, and J.W. Greaves and Sons Ltd. to R.J. Morris, Harbour Office, Porthmadog, of the tonnage of shipments, for the previous quarter per Rebecca, Manne du Ciel, Mary Lloyd, Faith, Jane and Ann, Frau Mina Petersen, Aeron Belle, Trebiskin, Mary Stuart, Edith Eleanor, Harvest Home, Triumph, Lady Neave, Elizabeth, Cristal, Englebert, Millom Castle, Isallt, A.T., John Pritchard, Enigma, John Llewelyn, Ford Fisher, Lizzie, Elizabeth Eleanor, Sarah Evans, Morning Star and the Glanogwen. 5 items.

XM2418/385

STATEMENT by the Oakeley Slate Quarries Co. Ltd., Porthmadog, of the tonnage of slates shipped the previous quarter per the George Henry, S.S. Rebecca, Cariad, Rose of Torridge, Dora, John and Margaret, Robert Morris, Elizabeth Bennett, Tyne, Cordelia, Mary Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth Roberts, Manne du Ciel, Cadwalader Jones, A.T., Ellen Roberts, Frances, Thomas Gray, Lucy, Maria, Walter Ulric, Rosie and the Agricola.

XM2418/388

STATEMENT by the Maen-Offeren Slate Quarry Co. Ltd., Porthmadog, to R.J. Morris, esq., Harbour Dues Office, Porthmadog, of the tonnage of slates shipped the previous quarter per the Manne du ciel, Tecwyn, Unicorn, Agricola, Edith Eleanor, Kirstine, Waldemar, Rebecca, William Jones and for Davies Brothers and Richard Bowton. 2 sheets.

XM2418/396

BUNDLE of statements by the Manod Slate Quarries Ltd., Porthmadog, the Park and Croesor Slate Quarries Co. Ltd., Maen-Offeren Slate Quarry Co. Ltd., Porthmadog, J.W. Greaves and Sons Ltd., the Oakeley Slate Quarry Co. Ltd., Porthmadog ,to R.J. Morris, Harbour Office, Porthmadog, of the tonnage of shipments for the previous quarter per Wild Wave, John Prichard, Gracie, Antagonist, Mouse, John and Margaret, Edward Arthur, George Casson, Sidney Smith, Tecwyn, Lucy, Rebecca, R.J. Owen, Faith, Rose of Torridge, Aeron Belle, William Jones, W.D. Potts, Isallt, Elizabeth Pritchard, Cecil Brindley, Ellen Anne, Falcon, Sarah Evans, Mary Lloyd, Gracie, Lizzie, Isabella, Rebecca S.S., Unicorn, Marjorie, Chrystal, Winifred, Walter Ulric, Lady Agnes, Cadwalader Jones, Jessamine, Maggie Annie, Jane and Ann, William Pritchard, Harvest Home, British Queen, Marian, Anna, Agricola, Rosie, Dorothy, Manne du Ciel, Mary Stewart, Result, Robert Morris, Marwood, William Jones and the Madby Ann. 5 items.

More info on the Earnshaw's.

John Earnshaw had 2 wives.
Possible Marriage:-
John EARNSHAW & Hannah ASKHAM
16 May 1831, Pontefract, Yorkshire

his second wife was Amy Gill nee Maltus of Southwold, Suffolk
Marriage -
Amy Gill Sept 1859 Goole
John Earnshaw is listed as one of the possible grooms

Children to his first wife Hannah
Christenings;
Parents JOHN and HANNAH EARNSHAW
All on IGI, Extracted
East Knottingley, Yorkshire
SARAH JANE, 27 October 1850
SEPTIMUS, 27 October 1850 Mariner (born 1845)
ANN, 27 October 1850
RICHARD, 23 January 1842, Knottingley, Yorks (Mariner & Chandler - most likely the one at Goole ??)
the following are more possible children need 1841/51 to check?
WILLIAM, 13 September 1847)
JAMES ROBERT, 26 April 1840) Did any of these become
THOMAS, 04 February 1838 ) Mariners ?
GEORGE, 28 February 1836 )
WILLIAM, 09 June 1834 )
JOHN, 08 April 1832 )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John's second wife Amy Gill nee Maltus was the widow of Thomas Gill whose life was lost off the coast of Flamborough, no details for him or his vessel or his death -- can anyone help ?? He might have moved family from Suffolk to Goole ?

Thomas Gill Whitby Dec Q 1842 Possible Death ??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1861 RG9/3528 Folio 75 Page 32
Goole, Yorks
John Earnshaw 50 Mariner Yorks Knottingley
Amy 45 Suffolk Southwold
Thomas Gill son 19 Mariner Knottingley (Info required please ?)
Richard Earnshaw son 17 Mariner Knottingley (Most likely Mariner & Chandlers of Goole)
Sarah J dau 11 Scholar Knottingley
Mary E dau 9 Scholar Knottingley

It is believed this census was 2 Duffin Yard and/or Earnshaw's Yard, Goole, does anyone know where either of these two places were please?? Earnshaw's at both places on 1861 census.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth Mary Ann Gill (dau Amy Gill) married Joe Addy 15th Dec 1857 Knottingley, Pontefract. They lived Goole and had many children. Joe Addy was also a Mariner. This weblink contains info on the above family.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:rJc7A27i9zYJ:www.tinkersunited.co.uk/public_dbs/linezz/p506.htm+addy+of+goole&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a bit more info about the Earnshaw FH click on these weblinks.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,452759.15.html

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,452699.0.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also does anyone have details of a Thomas Earnshaw born Knottingley/Pontefract area about 1805??
He was also a Mariner lodging at Dock Tavern, South St, Goole, which is the same street as John & Amy Earnshaw and families lived. Wondering if these 2 might be brothers ??
intelligentwend@hotmail.com

Wendy if you visit www.goole-action-group.org.uk click on social history and Richard Cooper Street 1940. Maltus Gill was living here at No66 with his wife Rose Hilda (nee Cook) This seems like the same Gills
Maybe one of this family can help fill in some details.

Hi Pedro
Thanks very much for that info will take a look.
Do you know if the Earnshaw's Chandlers is still in business and where if it is???

Wendy Earnshaws on Bridge Street closed down in the 70s. I remember buying two brass ships oil lamps for mounting on a fireplace in my residence at the time. I believe the site was cleared for extending the docks. My brother informs me that one of the Earnshaws who actually ran this business is still alive in Goole aged about 85 but I myself don't know the family.

Wendy note your interest in the vessels Hope. In 1856 schooner
Hope was wrecked on her maiden voyage from Goole to Plymouth. Built for John Arnold
1841 sloop Hope built for John Frear at Knottingley
1837 sloop Hope built for Moorhouse Knottingley
1843 schooner Hope built for John Brayshaw Knottingley
1850 schooner Hope built for Thomas Cliffe Knottingley
In 1846 a schooner Hope built for John Hudson at Burton Stather
John Hudson was from Knottingley this is the only Hope built elsewhere but Knottingley owned.

Hi Pedro
Thanks for the info.
I have also looked at the picture in Gosney's book, wonderful.
Old Bill has also made contact with me re Maltus Gill, will let folks know what we find out, on here and Richard Cooper St.
I am awaiting a posting to appear on Richard Cooper St, see what comes from that.
Thanks.

For those who like looking through archives, here is a collection of photographs of ships etc., held at the Treasure House, Beverley, click on the link below for catalogue entries and brief descriptions.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=047-ddx882&cid=-1#-1

East Riding of Yorkshire Archives and Records Service
GRAYBURN PHOTOGRAPHS RELATING TO GOOLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA (COPIES)

Reference zDDX882
Former reference DDX882
Covering dates [nd. c.1882-1915]
Held by East Riding of Yorkshire Archives and Records Service
Extent 0.001 cu.m. (37 items)
Creators Grayburn, William Echlin, fl 1882-1915

Administrative history:
The original photographs were in an album assembled by William Echlin Grayburn after he moved to Goole in 1882 to become Docks Manager with the Aire and Calder Navigation Company. Grayburn retired in 1915 and left Goole. The order and numbering of the copy photographs reflects the arrangement of the original album.

Contents:
Contains 20th century copies of photographs relating to Goole and the surrounding area, the originals are dated c.1882-1915. Also includes background notes, made in 1991, from which information has been abstracted for use in entries in this database.

Re:- MARTINET Thames Barge owned by Richard Earnshaw, Mariner & Ships Chandlers, Goole.

Coasting Bargemaster has a lot of info about Martinet including a picture of her between pages 80/81. The text starts at page 87. Martinet was known by mariners/sailors to be haunted ! Some text is unavailable due to copyright, which is a great pity. Bob Roberts. This book can be read online at:-

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wkwOASZHRgUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=martinet&f=false
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Total Loss: A Collection of 45 First-Hand Accounts of Yacht Losses at Sea
Author(s): Coote, Jack
ISBN10: 1574091468
ISBN13: 9781574091465
The wicked old Martinet. Bob Roberts graphically describes the loss of Thames sailing barge Martinet through blocked bilge pumps. Bob Roberts manned the Martinet for some years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The Big Barges” by Hervey Benham and Roger Finch, Harrap ISBN 0 245-54003-2, 1983.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping that Goole Library will be able to order this on loan for me.

There is now a great deal of information regarding the Earnshaw and Gill families on Rootschat, here are the links to the threads.
If anyone would like to add further information please contact me
intelligentwend@hotmail.com

Thomas Gill and Amy Gill (nee Maltus) and Earnshaw
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=454412.msg3159057#msg3159057
more information is required for Thomas Gill.

John Earnshaw & Amy Gill and other Earnshaw
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,452759.15.html

Septimus & George Earnshaw
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,452699.0.html

Maltus Gill
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=455003.msg3163972#msg3163972

THE BALL BEARING BOATS ????

Does anyone know of these boats ?? or anyone from Goole that worked on them???
Dr Robb Robinson of Hull University is collating information on these boats, he asked via Radio Humberside today if anyone has any information, he can be contacted via:-

http://www.hull.ac.uk/mhsc/staff/robinsonrobb.html
Dr Robb Robinson
MHSC
Blaydes House
6 High Street
Hull
HU1 1HA

R.N.Robinson@hull.ac.uk

Tel. +44 (0)1482 305111
+44 (0)1482 305110

He works in the Maritime History @ Hull. Has written a few books on fishing/trawling/ships etc including the East Coast where some Goolies might have worked.

In 1861 my gr.gr.grandfather William Lamplough was living with his family in Ivy House, Old Goole. He was master of S.S.Deva, this belonged to HW&Co of Goole, Hull and Grimsby. There might be an L or I between the H and W. Any information about the ship or company would be appreciated.
Thankyou

doe anyone have any information on captain martin muller who travelled from Holland to Boston lincs. About 1966 he worked on grain ships and cargo ,I am trying to find him he is believed to be my dad.please email

For Sylvia Low The Coaster Deva built 1857 was first registered
at Liverpool to W.C Fosberry &Others
1859 Re-registered at Goole to H.T Watson of Hull
1866 aquired by Goole S.S Co
1870 sold to Peter Barr of Glasgow
1876 Broken up.

For Wendy Owen the ball bearing boats were royal navy fast gun boats. Which ran the gauntlet from Hull to Sweden during WW2 bringing much needed ball bearings for wartime Engineering manufacture. Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Gay_Viking to learn more.

Re: Wendy Owen's posting about the "Ball Bearing Boats" and Pedro's response.
There is a book, which I am sure could be accessed through the local library, called 'Secret War Heroes', by Marcus Binney.
It tells of several members of the Special Operations Executive
One of whom was George Binney (author's stepfather) who was charged with organising convoys of boats to bring cargoes of desperately needed ball bearings from Sweden to Britain in 1940, without compromising Sweden's neutrality.
Lots of other good stuff in it too.
Hope it helps.

If I may put my two bits in the pot, I don't think the "Gay Viking"class of boat is the one you are after, if my memory serves me right the Mosquito fleet were three all plywood construction flat bottomed boats powered by twin Rolls Royce "merlin" engines aka Spitfire engines, and their sole purpose was to get into the fiords in Sweden, pick up a few hundred pounds of "Ore"(used for the hardening process of steel)and get the hell out, they were flat bottomed so they could "jump" the anti submarine nets across the inlets, and were manned by a crew of three, they were so fast(and Loud) that the German E boats could not catch them, if you think about it the "Gay Viking " class of vessel was not big enough to bring enough bearings back to the UK to keep the wartime armament drive going, it was the " hardening" element we were after and it only took a handfull to harden a batch of steel.Again if my memory serves me right there was one of these "boats" in Hull well after the war around 1949 to be exact but what became of her I don't know cheers H

Hello

Does anyone have any information on my paternal family, name of Goodworth. They were all mariners from Goole.
Grandad Joe (Engineer) on the butter boats. Uncle John (Jack) from North Street, laterley driving the big crane in the shipyard. Grandad Joe's brother John, Master Mariner sailing to Boulogne. Great grandfather Richard also a Master Mariner. All sadly now in Goole cemetery.

I'm trying to put together a family tree if anyone has any memories.

I remember a british mtb laid up in hull for ages she was eventually stripped out and towed up river to Goole she became the headquarters of Goole Sea Cadets and moored opposite what is now the waterways museum.I believe she was eventually sold to a private buyer as a houseboat when Goole sea cadets aquired new premises down Dunhill Rd

Hi Hamish re- ball bearing ships Gay Viking was one of eight gunships built for the Turkish navy took over by the RN.Numbered from 502 to 509.After modification capable of carrying 40 tons she made 3 sucsessful trips with ball bearings.
To conform with swedens neutrality they flew the red ensign and crewed by merchant seamen and trawlermen from Hull Renamed MV Non Such- Hopewell- Master Standfast -Gay Viking-and Gay Corsair Commander Sir George Binney RNR was Commadore Officers mainly from Ellermans of Hull.The master of
The Mv Master Standfast was killed in this action he was George W Holdsworth of Hull and is buried at Fredrikshavn the rest of the crew were interned

Greetings Pedro! Yes I am aware of the "Gay Viking"and also the MTB docked in Hull, however the vessels to which I refer were nothing like an mtb, just a sheet of plywood with humoungus engines would be the best way to describe them.We were on our way back to the ship when we saw this "thing"lying in the dock , and my buddy who was Irish and never spoiled a good story by sticking too close to the truth waxed on about the purpose and history of the "Thing", which I promptly forgot, but an incident happened some months later (which exonerated my Irish friend). We were heading inbound from Newlyn to Depford Creek with a load of road stone, doing about four knots against an eight knot ebb,when all of a sudden the wheelhouse windows started to rattle like crazy(I was on the wheel, the mate and the master were in the wheel house)and this large flat craft shot past us also inbound, like the proverbial streak of sh-- the noise was akin to standing besides a jet engine when an airliner is taking off, but it only lasted for a few seconds(thats how fast this thing was moving)and he was long gone, well the old man Capt Pearce , said"that looks like the one of those "ore" boats out of Hull and he went on to tell the story of their purpose, but it is so long ago now I have forgotten most of the tale, I can only remember it being a very clandestine operation, nobody knew when they were going to Sweden, only sailing on moonless nights, etc, nor do I remember how long the operation lasted, I do remember him saying they had to strap drums of fuel to the deck in order to get there and back, and that they had to Jump the submarine nets.but that being said I remember very well the sight of this "speedboat" moored in Hull. Thats my tale and I'm sticking to it cheers H

DEVA
From my Goole Ships site ...

DEVA

1857, 247grt, 133ft. x 21.5ft.

Built by Rhoodee S. B. Co., Chester

ON.16283

1857 registered at Liverpool to W. C. Fosberry and others

Registered at Goole to H. T. Watson of Hull from 1859

Owned by John Moody, London from 1864

Acquired by GSS in 1866

Sold by GSS in 1870, to Glasgow registry 9/1/1877, registered to Peter Barr

(also reported broken up in 1876)

Robb has said thank you for the information re Ball Bearing Runs, he still needs information, especially if anyone knew of anyone who crewed these crafts to Sweden etc..
Tis fascinating reading too.
Wend

Re DEVA, Thank you Pedro and George Robinson

This is interesting....

GOOLE STEAM SHIPPING COMPANY
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/goole/aashiplist.htm
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/railway/aashiplist.htm
http://www.gooleships.co.uk/index.htm

Think many would like to read this, has interesting facts about Goole etc..

http://www.humberpilots.com/Humber_Historical_Chronology.pdf

Wendy

This is interesting too with vessels from Goole.. Cromer Lifeboat

http://www.cromerlifeboats.org.uk/home/component/search/goole.html?ordering=newest&searchphrase=all

you can also search for vessels by name in search bar.
Wendy

Hi everyone
Does anyone have information on a ketch, Grovehill owned by John Craven.
There is some info and an oil painting in Goole library but more info is required about her and the Craven family of Goole and Hull, also living at times in Newport and Eastrington.
If anyone has info can you please email me as well as posting on GOTW ships site please.
Wendy
intelligentwend@hotmail.com

I took just a passing interest in the Ball Bearing saga in your pages. I was surprised to come across the incident this week. My holiday reading was 'Black Diamonds' by Catherine Bailey, Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-141-01923-9. It is a history of the Fitzwilliam family of Wentworth. One of the family Peter a reserve officer in the Grenadier Guards was recruited by the SOE and took part in 'Operation Bridford'. There is an account of the operation regarding the MTBs and some crew members involved in the Swedish ball bearing missions on pages 325/330.

Message for Glynne Hughes re yours of Feb 2009 and your grandfather John William Hughes. I am trying to trace a Will Hughes and Ted Hughes who may have connections with Tuke/Holliday/Beighton families living in Goole in the early 1900s. Tom Tukes mother lived in Carlisle Street, but was called Beighton and Tom talks about a Will Hughes. Could this have been your grandfather, I am cluching at straws are you able to help at all. Kind Regards Angela Taylor

Thanks for posting that John! Interesting read, but still not the operation of which I speak, I am beginning to doubt my own memory now, as there is no info(non that I can dig up anyway)on the clandestine operation of which I mentioned, all I can put it down to, is that it was for the "other commodities"discussed,and that it went so far into left field, that now they are trying to forget it, and it is still in the info not yet declassified, and never will be, cheers H

Re:- CRAVEN family of Newport/Goole/Hull/Wakefield and vessel GROVEHILL 91397 along with other vessels they owned/mastered.

Information about these can be read on Rootschat via my thread

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,424437.0.html

from there you will find family history information and links to other information relating to both.

Feel free to add any further information either via Rootschat or myself....intelligentwend@hotmail.com

Wendy

Message for Sylvia Low. Was interested that William Lamplough was the Master on the S.S.DEVA in 1861.
I have William Lamplough in my family tree and would love to share information.
I can be contacted on romric@talktalk.net
Richard.

With reference to the Ball Bearing Runs Hull to Sweden, I have found the following at the National Archives.

New Document Releases Special Operations Executive...
facility at Troon, Ayrshire. HS 8/769 BRIDFORD: use of Motor Gunboats A Report by SOE organiser Cdr. Sir George Binney (1945) on the Bridford missions to pick up essential war materials (steel and ball bearings) from Sweden by running the German blockade
Source: The National Archives Website
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/new_releases_feb2002_SOE_recs.pdf
HS 8/769
BRIDFORD: use of Motor Gunboats A Report by SOE organiser Cdr. Sir George Binney (1945) on the Bridford missions to pick up essential war materials (steel and ball bearings) from Sweden by running the German blockade in converted Motor Gun Boats. Contains a narrative running from the inception of the scheme until the completion of the last mission as well as appendices with further details. HS 8/768 contains correspondence regarding uses of the Bridford boats at the end of their task. Also includes an account of a Bridford voyage to Sweden over the New Year of 1943-44.

and

HS8/784
Operation Moonshine: Report By Lt. Cdr. Bingham MBE DSC (1945) Account of an effort to supply the Danish resistance with munitions carried across the North Sea on three small merchant vessels. The ships also picked up Swedish industrial material for the Ministry of Supply. One vessel was lost in a collision on the return trip.

Operation Bridford is Master Standfast
Operation Moonshine is Gay Viking

further info can be read here
http://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/blockade.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anglo-American Differences Over Blockade Measures. CAB 66/49/6
of Spitfires. With obvious reluctance they turned this offerdown. It was then proposed that an approach should be made to SKF (theSwedish ball-bearing monopoly), who should be offered substantial orders in 1944and 1945 if they would discontinue or greatly
Former reference: WP (44) 206
Date: 1944
Source: DocumentsOnline (Cabinet Office papers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HULL HISTORY CENTRE

Level DocumentRef Title
Collection U DEW ARCHIVES OF ELLERMAN'S WILSON LINE (1825 - 1972)
SubCollection U DEW2 SECOND DEPOSIT
Series U DEW2/5 Correspondence and Other Files
RefNo U DEW/x2/5/77
Repository Hull University Archives
Title File. 'Sir George Binney'
Date 1958 - 1961
Description Correspondence with Sir G. Binney of United Steel Companies Ltd. regarding Swedish ball bearing traffic during World War Two
Extent 1 file
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wendy

Has anyone read this???? It is a MUST read..

http://www.secondworldwar.org.uk/standfast.html
Master Standfast (MGB 508)

In September 2007 I received an email from David Broadley. His late father was Reginald John Broadley, a member of the crew of the Master Standfast. He provided me with a letter which had been found in the Ellerman Wilson Shipping Offices in Hull. It is written by one Erich Matern and relates to the capture of the Master Standfast by the Germans in November 1943. It was written in 1950, with the help of a secret diary, so the authors memory was probably quite fresh and accurate. Only 7 years had passed. He starts off:

Seven years have gone .....During the stupid war the German soldiers were absolutely forbidden to have a diary. I have had one and it is lying before me. I was then the Captain of a German Minesweeper, with my boat in the Skager Rak. It was a long night that black night between the 1st and 2nd of November 1943. Steering along the well lighted Swedish coast we were going to a Danish harbour where we were to supply our depth charges. Suddenly "alarm"!

Gunfire in the east and a wireless message that in the grey dawn of the coming day one of our patrol boats had captured a big British motor launch. The morning came and we steamed to Fredrickhavn where the prize was taken in. She was "Master Standfast" one of the nice group (Under Captain Goodman?), SS Hopewell, Guy Corsair, Guy Viking (see image) etc. Officially she was a small tanker bound for Lysekil (Sweden). The crew consisted of 18 men.

I personally admired the Tommies who had crossed the North Sea to sail into the "jaws of the lion". Now they were taken ashore and the six wounded were transported to the hospital. Speaking English, I was, by chance, the first to question the prisoners before the official "inquisitors" came from Kiel and Berlin. It was interesting for me to conduct the preliminary part of the trial and I made (secretly) a list of the details I heard. Seeing the list of the names before me I remember many particulars of those brave sailors.

What has happened in these "glorious" seven years? In spite of all the trouble of today I should like to know more about "Master Standfast" and her crew. It was a pity I had to leave Fredrikshavn the third of November 1943. Being only a little Lieutenant (navy volunteer reserve) I was no longer needed and had to sail into the North Sea when the numerous professional inquiring officers had arrived in their clean uniforms and in big fine cars.

I include a list of the crew of "Master Standfast" perhaps it is of some historical interest for you. I should like to enter one of your ships and come to see those 17 mariners of Old England. The event was only of secondary importance for the course of the foolish and terrible Nasi-war, however a lot of details may be told about that singular adventure of your boat, especially as I have never heard about anything aboiut the end of the story.

The most impressive fact was the death of poor Mr Holdsworth, the Captain, who had just replaced Captain Goodman. I sopke to him in his last hours, knowing from the German doctor that the brave hero would soon sleep his eternal sleep in Jutland, far away from his family and his country. When the land was behind us, I had time to think of Mr Holdsworth, as there were long solitary hours on the wintry waters, when we were gazing from the bridge across the wide spaces of the everlasting sea.

I hope for Mr Brown (the second in command) that he has recovered from the loss of his foot, and I hope that the other men had a happy end to the war and came home in safety.

About me, there is nothing to be told except that I am a teacher, now 46 years old, have a nice wife, a daughter (13 years old) and two boys (11 and 8). My country was (not has been) East Prussia, Konigsberg, what is now called Kaliningrad and inhabited by Mongols.

Give my sincere and respectful feeling to all members of your famous boat, especially th the family of Mr holdsworth. Tell them that my thoughts are going these very days to a lonely tomb in Denmark ...

With the best wishes, yours sincerely, Erich Matern.

The Crew of Master Standfast (Ellerman Wilson Line, Hull).

1. Captain George Holdsworth, dead for his country.

Honouring him I remember the poem "The Soldier" of Rupert Brooke:

If I should die, think only this of me
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England. There shall be
in that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to raom,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given,
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learned of friends, and gentleness,
In hearts of peace, under an English heaven ....

2. Alwyn Brown, Chief Officer (had a beautiful beard)

3. Walter Kean, Chief Engineeer

4. Thomas Jardine, Mate

5. Robert Boag, Second Officer (his wife waited for a baby in December 1943, I hope all is well with mother and child. The father had a gospel with him)

6. Albert John Fox, Wireless Telegraphist ("Sparks", I expect him to have forgotten his wound. Had 1943 only one child, how many has he now).

7. Reginald John Broadley, another Telegraphist. (Did he get the promised 25 pounds in spite of the failure of that trip?)

8. Dennis Moore, a good steward (will celebrate his birthday just a week before Christmas)

9. Frederick O'Dell, Cook (Celtic race, famous for his plum puddings)

10. Clarence Patrick, (Did he go back to East asia? Did he marry once more, as he had been divorced?)

11. Arthur John Hannah (the same birthday as Mr Patrick, but 4 years younger.)

12. Bennett Miller (was in love with a nice girl in England. I hope they are married now)

13. Tom East, came just in time at Immingham, a clever helmsman

14. Raymond Colin Hobley, once bombed in Liverpool

15. Benjamin Tomlinson, the good old greaser. How many children has he now? How did his wife come through the war with 6 children?

16. Francis Nicholson, able bodied seaman, typical citizen of grey Hull.

17. James David Tappan. This brave Canadian remembers the Danubian!

18. (last not least) Thomas Joseph Rush, sly like a fox, could be a member of the Secret Service, at least.

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=221,95619&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Reply to Angela Taylor.

I don't think there's a connection Angela. As far as we can ascertain my grandfather's antecedants were from Liverpool. It seems he "jumped ship" in 1901 (aged 16) in Hull and then moved to Goole and had no relatives in there.
He was always known as John or Jack.
regards
Glynne

I never worked at the local shipyard myself but I always remember a funny story told to me by a young welder who had just finished his apprenticeship there. He dreaded the idea of being there for the rest of his working life, you know, like lads in other parts of Yorkshire, following their dads down the pit.

At tea break all the men were sitting, having their snap. A couple of old-timers who had done forty years apiece decided to test someone they considered a newcomer.

Now then, how long have you been here? Asked one of them. Well, Peacock-proud, he answered," Fifteen years now ". To which the second man fired the killer salvo, "Do you think you'll like it?"

I remember Pedro saying his elder brother worked in the shipyard
from the age of 14 years old.Apprentice driller until retirement at 65.Sheez a working life drilling holes he must see them in his dreams.

Re: Shipyard tales.
I never worked 'in't yard' either but as a regular sailer into Goole (Town and Port) I knew many who did.
One of my favourite stories from someone who was there, tells of what it took to cut a port hole, and there were many, in a new ship.
First would come a shipwright, with his mate, who would use his superior skills to mark out and chalk where the hole should be.
Next came a fitter, also with his mate, who would use his hammer and punch to verify where the hole would be.
Along would come the burner, plus mate, who would then cut the actual hole, leaving a little just inside the line.
After a cooling period, a caulker and his mate would clean off the slag, clearing the way for the grinder and his mate to finalize the finished hole; but not before the plater and his mate checked the dimensions for accuracy!
And this was before they even got to Pedro's brother, the driller and his mate!
Small wonder that the British ship building industry fell into decline!

Hi Gary. Although we have not seen eye to eye on subjects in the past.On your remarks about t' shipyard. I expierienced demarcation first hand being a shipwright and I agree with your remarks.I also think it was responsible for the demise of a noble profession

Gary. You may be interested in the statement I made earlier. It happened in 1961. In the yard that built Gay Viking.In fact I know a guy who worked on the build.If you Google, Classic Offshore / History you will see a true account of my expierience

Ahoy Pedro!! Any sightings of Guy or the Gun?Or have you been away "ligging" in the sun again take care H

Hi Hamish I had my usual 2 months in Barbados. No sign of Guy but I understand hes doing ok.I Had a great time met some guys from Vancouver Island Parksville they enjoyed the rum and I have an invite to visit.keep well P

I am trying to locate a photograph of the SS Don. She was one of the two " butter boats" that operated on the Goole- Copenhagen run. I reckon that she would have been sold for scrap in the mid to late Fifties when AHL introduced the new fleet of motor ships. The Don would have been replaced by the Kirkham Abbey and the Byland Abbey.I have tried to locate a pic of the Don on various sites without success but someone out there might just be able to point me in the right direction.

Peter,

Use the Goole Shipyard Info link from the top-left of this page. The site has the following photo: http://www.gooleships.co.uk/shipowners/Railway/lms/don1924.htm

Stuart

Eureka ! Many thanks and much appreciated.

These vessels were Reg Hull, but I am struggling to find any details of them. Also any details for both the William Manger's.....can anyone help please ??

Progress 2 Whaling from 1818 - 1830 port ??
Three Brothers Whaling from 1817-1818 Built - Prize 1809, Reg Hull (painting in Maritime Museum, Hull)
Truelove Rig - Bark ??? Built - Philadelphia 1764, Reg Hull 1810 ( is a famous Hull Whaler)
Laurel 1 1810 - 1830, Built Peterhead 1801 Reg Hull 1830
Laurel 2 1812 - 1814? Petehead ? a Steam schooner, both of them

They were all Whaling Ships sailing from Hull to Davis Straits.

These are the known dates William Manger snr worked/mastered
Three Brothers Hull 1817
Progress Hull 1822 & 1823
Trulove Hull 1831 - 1833
Lady Forbes Liverpool 1822

Can anyone help with info for any of the vessels please, like type, size, builder, Merchant, etc..???

I now know that there were two William Manger's - father and son, elder born 1790 Tynemouth, N. Shields, moved to Hull
1815 where he worked out of the port of Hull, working for Ward & Co, Shipping - can anyone help with info for this company please?? He died 1852.

WM the younger was born Hull 1821 and was also a Master and of the Merchant Navy. He died 1871. He was Ice Quartermaster for HMS Steamer Intrepid.

There is a Log Book for Laurel held at the Maritime Museum, Hull, written by William Manger believed to be Snr.

Kind regards Wendy

Ahoy Pedro, if memory serves me right you have spent some time on Vancouver Island before? And wrinkle village aint too bad a place to be from! Most of the Vancouverites move over there to retire (Hence Wrinkle Village), but not the place for me, like being in jail, if you want off the Island there is always a yobo in a box with his hand out"pay me"before you can leave, then the same to get back, and the ferry fare especially if you have a car is right out a site, I digress, the ferry is free to us Oldies midd week, but you still have to pay for your car, and if you are going fishing and towing a boat, you are charged for the overall length of the combination which aint cheap, so there is a little info for your useless information book, keep having fun H

Over a year ago I asked for help in finding ships photographs I could not find ,( about three I think), to add to those I had already found. All which I had sailed on. Thanks to those who found them for me ,( a little late I know ) You can find them all on www.kbromley.karoo.net If you do not want to hear the sea shanties etc, (although there is a good poem in with them) click on the pedigree chart for k bromley and this will take you to my early life and the ships. Click on ships photos and this will enlarge them. Again thanks to those who helped find the last remaining few of twenty seven.

Merchant Navy Day has come round again,a time to reflect on those no longer with us ,of the many thousands of men and women who gave their lives in the two world wars and subsequent battle zones.Those of us old enough to remember do not need memorials but for today's generation and future generations it must not be forgotten the sacrifices made by the MN that enabled us to retain our freedom,this is why today has tobe celebrated as a reminder of what might have been had it not been for the gallantry shown by our seamen.
God Bless each and every one.
David Lea-Jackson.

I am looking for details of a vessel J.A. Jackson which was Reg at Goole.
George Tom Craven was working on this vessel just prior to 1877.
Can anyone help please.
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With reference to the Craven of Goole and Hull (details on this site) there is going to be an exhibition at Goole Library starting 15th Sep featuring the paintings of vessels by Reuben Chappel which includes the Grovehill owned by the Craven. There will also be a booklet detailing info of the exhibition and paintings and some info on those that worked these vessels too.
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Thanks Wendy

Merchant Navy Day - David well said. I was in London on that day and noticed that the Dept of Transport building in the Horseferry Rd was flying the Red Ensign I went inside and there was a short video presentation about the MN. A welcome, if modest and belated, recognition by Central Govt. of the contribution made by the men of the MN.