M.T. Wyre Victory FD181
Technical
Official Number: 301881
Yard Number: 951
Completed: 1959
Gross Tonnage: 398
Net Tonnage: 135
Length: 140 ft
Breadth: 28 ft
Depth: 14 ft
Engine: 860BHP engine Mirlees Bickerton & Day
Built: Cook Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Speed: 11.7 knots
Owner: Wyre Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood
History
1959: Completed by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd, Beverley (Yd. No. 951) for Wyre Trawlers Ltd, Fleetwood as WYRE VICTORY. Registered at Fleetwood (FD181).
14.01.1976: Outward bound for Iceland vessel grounded on submerged reef at Mill Rocks, west of the Isle of Rhum in the Inner Hebrides.
At 6:45 Oban radio received a distress message stating that she had struck Mill Rocks to the SW of Oigh Sgeir Lighthouse (between Barra and Rum), and was badly holed forward and making water fast. At 07:14 the ferry IONA picked up a liferaft with the crew on board. The skipper and the radio operator stayed with the stricken vessel.
WYRE VICTORY’S sister ship, WYRE CONQUEROR, responded to her distress call and floated 3 liferafts across to her. At 07:22 Oban was advised that the wreck had been abandoned but had drifted off the rocks. WYRE CONQUEROR hoped to tow her to Canna but, after drifting with the tide, WYRE VICTORY sank.
Notes: Alfred Watson was the skipper of the WYRE VICTORY on the 14th January 1976 when she went on the rocks. At the time of the incident he was below in his bunk after standing a double watch. The rostered watchkeeper was the worse for drink and could not be roused.
Click to enlarge images
M.T. Wyre Victory FD181
Picture courtesy of Harry Day
Wyre Victory FD181 - Image courtesy of John Bonner
Wyre Victory FD181 courtesy of the JJ Collection
did my dad sail on this boat in 1969?who woz skipper then? did alan day skipper? and who skipperd it when it sank in 1976? please let me know asap many thanks.
Hello David,
What is your dads name ?
We will look into the information and let you know if we find anything.
Recently speaking to 2 friends who, unkowingly to each other, worked on trawlers from fleetwood. One as engineer and t’other on deck. Chap who worked on Deck – a Mr John Trella, said he was on Wyre Victory and helped saving crew of Wyre Conqueror. Have known both men for more than 5 years but only just started hearing this part of there past.-Fascinating and very scary.
Hi. I have a letter here from Wyre Trawlers Limited dated 18th January 1966. Addressed to Mrs Barcock (Janie). “WYRE CONQUEROR”
We were informed this morning that the “Wyre Conqueror” stransded on the south side of Iceland early today, but we have just received news that the entire crew are safe and arrangements will be made or them to returne to Fleetwood as soon as possible. Leslie Wheildon, Managing Director.
My uncle was Gerge (twitter) Louth. He moved to Fleetwood from Hull in 1965/66 I believe he could have been on the Wyre Conqueror at this time. Does anyone know if this is so please. Thanks Angie
My dad Arthur Hume was Chief on the Victory and Revenge, with Ronnie Slapp among others
Hi
My dad Alfred Watson (known as Albert) was the skipper of the Victory 14th January 1976 when she went on the rocks, but he was below decks in his bunk at the time of the incident, he had had to do a double watch shift, due to the person who’s watch it should have been was the worse for drink and could not be arroused.
I have the full report from the court, but I don’t think I should name any of the crew over the internet due to privacy.
Thanks for the update Pat.
Alan
My Grandfather sailed on this ship in the 1970′s Tom Masterson he was a Engineer