Yard Number 340

Yard Number 340

Postby E28 » Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:57 pm

Yard Number 340 should be followed by 341 sequentially.

Why then did C, W & G use 340 with an additional individual 13 letters which were not in alphabetical order thereby having 14 vessels using 340, all being assorted trawlers and for various owners.

On page 6 of the standard work by the 4 authors there is an explanation regards Admiralty purchases but with other boats being constructed there appears no logic in connection with 340.

Over to you Gents and all the best for the 2020's.
Thats all folks. Sean.
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Re: Yard Number 340

Postby northeast » Sun Dec 29, 2019 8:15 pm

Sean, I assume they were all originally an Admiralty order but for some reason even from 1916 some were completed as merchant vessels (but most requisitioned on completion as minesweepers), only 6 of the 14 being completed for the Admiralty in 1917 (these were of the standard class named for seamen of the VICTORY).
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Re: Yard Number 340

Postby E28 » Tue Dec 31, 2019 7:28 pm

Thomas Blackhorn - y no 340N
Thomas Buckley - y no 340P

were the first pair of 20 assorted RN trawlers which were chartered with waived survey by the US Navy to participate in clearing the North Sea Mine Barrage, a perilous task which extended Eastwards across the North Sea from the Orkney Islands to just off the Norwegian coast with the work conducted from Kirkwall.

Of the Castle class, 10 of which participated, they were rated at a charter of £250 per month with all ships companies and liabilities borne by the USA.

The pair were both attached 23 May 1919 with the bulk of the sweeping done by US Navy Bird class minesweepers as most of the mines were American Mk VI mines. Operations commenced 29 April and terminated 30 September 1919, the summer months being critical to the clearing operations conducted in 7 major separate operations.

Whilst in US service they were titled U.S.T. for trawler and were detached 1st and 3rd October respectively serving longer than any of the 20 of which 19 were returned, Richard Bulkeley being lost 12 July 1919.
Thats all folks. Sean.
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Re: Yard Number 340

Postby E28 » Sat Mar 07, 2020 7:19 pm

As George alluded to earlier these trawlers were named for men in the muster rolls of Victory and Royal Sovereign at the Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805 irrespective of rank or rate, RN, RM or Landsmen.

Thomas Blackhorn was 33.
Thomas Buckley 29, where his pay book number ML69 implies 3 years service in Victory until 15 Jan 1806 when she paid off. Both were English of the Chatham Division Royal Marines serving in the Victory and lived to tell their tales for years to come.

There is some irony of the loss in US service of the Richard Bulkeley.

She was named for that Midshipman in the Victory aged 19, pay book 677 who was an American. At least he was born in America although his father was from Pencombe, Herefordshire. His service in Victory ceased 15 Jan 1806 after 30 months.
Thats all folks. Sean.
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