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Pulp Steam Trawler

Page history last edited by Michael J Blum 12 years, 10 months ago

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Typical of an older British ocean-going steel-hulled trawler or herring drifter, as might be seen in the Atlantic or North Sea. It carries sails to economise on fuel. Some of these were used as minesweepers, mine layers, survey vessels, and patrol drifters by the Royal Navy during the Great War. The first oil-burning British trawler didn't appear (historically) until 1946.

Length: 120' - 138', beam 21' - 25', draft ~10', displacement 230 - 360 tons

Speed: 12 knots from 50 - 70 HP coal-fired triple expansion steam engine. Range 2,000 miles at 10 knots, more if sails are used.

Armament: none, but in Admiralty service they mounted one or two 3" guns or 6-pounder guns, plus a Lewis gun or two. During the Second World War, a 4" Mk IX gun will usually be carried, along with other weapons (light AA guns, depth charges, etc.). Many will be used as minesweepers in the war.

Crew: 10 - master, mate ("2nd hand"), 2 engineers, 4 able-bodied seamen/fishermen ("hands"), cook. The cook is either very young (12 to 17 years old) or an older fisherman unable to work on deck any more. In Admiralty service, 3 or 4 gunners and a naval reserve officer would be carried in addition.

Cost: £22,000 (typical requisition cost to Admiralty in 1939)