The Fleetwood Motor Trawler Site

(Robert S. Hewett, manager)

In 1929 the United States of America was shaken by a financial slump and as the United Kingdom was still trying to pay off the debt incurred during WW1, much of which was owed to America, the country faced an economic crisis. Fleetwood’s fishing industry was caught in the crisis along with most of British industry, the resulting depression lasting well into the 1930s. Fishing companies all over the United Kingdom looked to cut their costs and once again it was the availability of cheap coal that helped Fleetwood to weather the storm and attracted other owners to the port. Hewett & Co of Barking, known as the “Short Blue” fleet, after their plain blue square houseflag, was the United Kingdom’s oldest fishing company having been established in 1764 by Samuel Hewett’s father, Scrymgeour Hewett with a fleet of smacks working the North Sea grounds and transporting the fish with fast cutters to the London market at Billingsgate.

In 1865 when London was linked by rail to East Anglia the fleet moved to Gorleston but retained their headquarters, yard and workshops at Barking and a reduced presence after 1899 when the port closed. In 1901 an explosion occurred at the Barking works killing a number of men and injuring many more, while damaging surrounding property. To make restitution and pay compensation it was necessary to sell the greater part of the company fleet and Hewetts continued with two steam trawlers and a few smacks. After WW1 the company under Captain Hewett was based at Lowestoft and was able to re-establish itself on a much smaller scale. The problem with Lowestoft, however, was the price of coal and at 10/- per ton dearer than the Humber ports or Fleetwood, this disadvantaged the Lowestoft owners by some 20% in bunker costs.

After much deliberation the decision was taken to move the company to Fleetwood, although retaining their registered office in London. At the end of 1929, they had three trawlers operating from Fleetwood, Diana (LO31), Penguin (LO97) and Royalist (LO17), all concentrating on short trips and landing quality fish. The Hewett Company and its associated companies played an important part in the continued success of the Fleetwood industry and remained in business until November 1980. They were the first of a number of companies that re-located to Fleetwood in the 1930s.

(Associated companies -Robert Trawlers Ltd, Hewett Vessels Management Ltd, Heward Trawlers Ltd, Short Blue Fishing Co Ltd, Great Northern Fishing Co Ltd and Brandon Fishing Co Ltd.)

Funnel – Black with Blue Flag
Hull – Blue

Funnel Colours

Hewett Fishing Company Limited

Ship Colours

Hewett Fishing Company Limited Colours