M.T. Wyre Majestic – FD433 | Fleetwood Motor Trawlers

Technical

Official Number : 187853
Yard Number: 1414
Completed: 1956
Gross Tonnage: 338
Net Tonnage: 119
Length: 127.5 ft
Breadth: 27.0 ft
Depth: 13.5 ft
Built: Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby
Engine: 736bhp 7-cyl Mirlees
Speed: 11.25 knots

History

12.05.1956: Launched at Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby by Muriel Forbes for Wyre Trawlers Ltd as WYRE MAJESTIC.
11.12.1956: Registered at Fleetwood (FD433).
19.02.1958: Sailed Fleetwood for home water fishing grounds (Sk. John Kelly, 15 crew). 18:30hrs, bosun relieved by Norman Southern (Mate). At 21:00hrs stranded on the Mull of Galloway, one mile to the west of the light. Refloated and returned to Fleetwood.
24.05.1958: BOT formal inquiry found that the stranding was due to the fault or default of the mate, Norman Southern and his certificate was suspended for eighteen months.
24.08.1963: Stranded at Knott End. Refloated on the tide.
01.07. 1969: Became part of British United Trawlers fleet.
1974: Converted for pair trawling (for Herring) with the WYRE DEFENCE.
18.10.1974: Homeward bound. Unable to berth at Oban so decided to return to Fleetwood. On passage through the sound of Islay (Sk. Derek Reader) in company with the WYRE DEFENCE. Set off course by strong currents and ran full speed (18 knots) onto rocks at Rhuba a’ Mhaill and was badly holed and filling with water, fuel tanks ruptured.
WYRE DEFENCE attempted to tow WYRE MAJESTIC clear but was unable to do so.
All subsequent salvage attempts failed and on the 01.11.1974 she was declared a CTL in approx position 55º 52.9’N 006º 07.2’W and left on the rocks.
20.12.1974 Fleetwood registry closed.

Note: At the time of the stranding the skipper was below and the bosun at the wheel. The skipper’s certificate was suspended and the bosun admitted to having been drinking.

Download the Inquiry report in .pdf format HERE

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