CAM JAGUAR

CAM JAGUAR

Postby teesships » Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:01 pm

CAM JAGUAR (5300467), 355gt, completed Cochrane & Sons, Selby, 12-1957
1957 ROSS JAGUAR - 1985 CAM JAGUAR - 2004 JAGUAR - deleted about 2007
After "conversion" at Grimsby - 10 July 2001:
0810camjaguar.jpg
Ron
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Re: CAM JAGUAR

Postby magoonigal » Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:20 pm

See what you mean Ron. The trail seems to end in New Zealand.


The Ross Jaguar


Ross Jaguar the third of an eventual fleet of twelve "Cat" class trawlers, was launched by Mrs. R. Haynes on 31st May 1957. Ross Jaguar was number 1423 from the shipbuilding yard of Cochrane & Sons, Selby, Yorkshire, built for Derwent Trawlers Grimsby Ltd, the parent company of the Ross Group Ltd. After her fitting out was complete, she arrived at Grimsby in December 1957. On Tuesday 10th December 1957 'Ross Jaguar completed her speed and acceptance trials in the River Humber and docked at Grimsby that night. Among those on board during the trials were Mr. H. Croft Baker, director; Mr. P. F. Edge, outside manager, and Mr. E. Rimmer, superintendent engineer, all from Derwent Trawlers Ltd; Mr. J. Croft Baker, former president of the B.T.F.; Mr. Sydney Cochrane, a director of the Selby firm of builders, Cochrane and Sons; Mr. R. J. Shepherd, general manager and Mr. P. Curtis of Drypool Engineering Co. Hull; Mr. A. Taylor, of Shell Oil Co.; Mr D. H. McVeigh, director of Two Counties Transport; and Mr. Beaconby, Mr. Booth, and Mr. V. Laws, of Ruston and Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln.

Two days later she sailed on her maiden voyage in the North Sea, commanded by skipper J. Sheader who was the former skipper of the 30 year old steam trawler 'Righto'.



The first catch of fish was landed on Saturday 21st December, turning out 150 kits for the 10 day voyage. It realised £834. In accordance with custom, the proceeds of the sale of the first kit was donated to the Grimsby Fishermans Dependents' Fund. It was a kit of soles and was knocked down by Mr. Cyril Moody, head salesman for Trawlers Grimsby Ltd., to Mr. Harry Hills, one of the Ross Group's fish salesmen. Mr. Moody also presented him with the customary bottle of Whisky. Thus 'Ross Jaguar' commenced her 'First Life' as a Near and Middle-Water diesel-engined fishing trawler.

The naming of the Cat class trawlers is an interesting tale. A group of children from a Grimsby school were approached by the Ross Group and asked to suggest names in the "big cat" family, for the twelve new trawlers. The names were submitted after great thought and deliberation by the children. Tiger, Leopard, Jaguar, Panther, Cougar, Cheetah, Lynx, Jackal, Puma Genet, Civit and finally "Zebra". Who could deny this child from her innocence and sincerity in submitting her big cat name, and so there was a "Zebra" amongst the "Cats".

With the formation of the British United Trawlers (BUT) group in 1969 the Ross Jaguar, along with all the other vessels in the group, adopted the distinctive funnel markings of a broad white band on black with the legend BUT in dark blue. From all accounts 'Ross Jaguar' performed very successfully as a mid-water trawler. Many of her former Deck Officers and crew have visited the dockside and related their voyages and time spent on the 'Ross Jaguar'.

With the state of the fishing industry in 1982, the once great trawler fishing fleet had been drastically reduced in the wake of the third and ultimately most damaging "Cod War". B.U.T. were determined to continue for as long as possible and kept the fleet at sea. A little respite, but time was running out. All eleven of the remaining Cat Class trawlers, (the 12th trawler, Ross Puma met an early and untimely demise when, on the 1st. April 1968, she was wrecked off Hoy in the Pentland Firth), continued as trawlers and the Ross Cougar has the distinction of landing the last catch at Grimsby in July 1985.

There was no escaping the stark reality that the fishing industry for conventional trawlers had come to an end. CAM Shipping made an offer to B.U.T. to purchase the vessels for use as oil-rig supply ships and contracts were exchanged in January 1985. The First life of the Cat Boat Jaguar was over and conversion work for her new life commenced.



The Cat Boat Jaguar's Second Life

The conversion of Ross Jaguar to an oil-rig supply and standby ship took approximately three months and she was renamed 'CAM Jaguar'.

The gallows, bollards, deck-board stanchions, trawl winch, main mast and fish room hatches were all removed from her deck. In the fish room, the stanchions were cut down to about four feet in height to provide support for a false floor. The middle fish room hatch was replaced with a hooded companionway and a staircase led down to the new survivor's recovery area. A false ceiling and walls turned the old fish rooms into a bright neat area for the installation of row upon row of chairs bolted to the floor in a cinema style layout. A small hospital area complete with emersion bath was fitted. Large stainless steel urns on central service cupboards were to provide hot water and soup. Two large electric blower heaters provided warmth in the spacious open area.



CAM Shipping added two boat davits to the new bare deck, port and starboard, where previously the gallows had been. The davits were to be used for the launching and recovery of the two high powered rescue launches situated on their cradles each side of the foredeck. The boat deck was extended to allow for two ladders. Her hull was repainted "danger" orange with white whale-back and trims. The deck structures were grey and her funnel navy blue with a white CAM logo.

Many ex-fishermen were able to find employment on the "Stand-by" vessels but in time, work on these vessels diminished. The oil companies found their costs escalating and crews were laid off for longer lengths of time. Partly because of this slow-down in the oil industry and also as new safety regulations required "stand-by" vessels to be fitted with two engines, the second one to be a bow thruster. The "Cat" boats were fitted with one main engine, the Jaguar with a Ruston Hornsby 526Kw engine. The result of the new safety regulations in force was that the "Cat" boats could not be employed as "Stand-By" ships and it was too costly to install a second engine on each boat. Coupled with this, the oil industry was experiencing problems and the profitability of running the "Standby" fleet was in doubt for CAM Shipping. The "Cat" boat fleet was put out for sale.



Ron and Helen Devereux came to England in search of a new lifestyle in their retirement. The search began for a Dutch barge, motor vessel or sailing vessel. Ron and Helen wanted a vessel which could give the comforts of home and also be large enough to sail to new and interesting locations. The romance of a sailing ship was high on the priority list. The barges inspected were very attractive but not as seaworthy as would be needed if they were to voyage in the Mediterranean, over to the Americas, and further south to Australia and New Zealand. By chance a Yacht Broker in the south knew of the sale of the CAM Shipping Company's fleet of Cat Boats. Brief details were given on their size, construction and condition. After speaking to the Manager at CAM Shipping in the Port of Grimsby, the Devereux's drove north to inspect the boats available. There was a choice of eight boats and after close inspection of performance records, classification details and the general repair of the ship herself 'CAM Jaguar' was chosen.

Now the decision making. Where would the conversation of 'CAM Jaguar' to a three masted sailing schooner take place. The options were to take her back to Australia for the conversion or to find a port on the east coast of England where the work could be carried out. The costs of motoring back to Australia were prohibitive. Grimsby Fish Docks definitely had space for the ship to be berthed alongside and the conversion work to take place. There were very few fishing boats still in harbour and the CAM Shipping Standby fleet was also to be sold off. As there were many skilled engineers, welders and craftsmen still working in the dock area it was decided to carry out the conversion in the Grimsby Fish Docks.

A new deck would be built forward of the deck house structure and each side back to join up with the existing boat deck. There was no reasonable entrance to the ship so an aft saloon was built to provide a sheltered entrance to the saloon and a comfortable recreation area. Three masts were constructed of steel, the lower sections being approximately 60ft and upper masts of a further 30ft. Great detail went into the design detail, preparation and raising of the masts. New deck areas constructed above the aft saloon and above the captain's saloon and the area from which the funnel was demolished. New stanchions with handrails of 'Sepelle' hardwood were installed around the new deck areas, on the stairs and overhead walkways.

The challenge was then on to find a sail maker. Prices were obtained from sail makers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, England and Holland. United Baltic Sails in Holland was chosen for their skill in sail making for many tall ships, their quality of finish and price. Fitting out below the new decks, starboard and portside was a long and arduous task. New accommodation was provided portside and starboard, a new mess area, completely refitting the galley, a laundry, freezer room and the upgrading of both existing bathrooms.

'CAM Jaguar' had its own generators which are DC power and used for steerage, major pumps, fire alarms, emergency lighting and general lighting using 110v bulbs. As the decision was to install modern appliances, heating and lighting, as well as being able to use all electrical tools, a large 240V generator would need to be installed on board.


Extensive work which has been completed fitting out new and existing cabins, provides eight double and four single cabins. The fish hold area created in 'Jaguar's' first life has been converted to provide a gymnasium, library, floor space for sewing machines for sail repair, sail store and two office areas.


Helen Devereux
Paul Hood. + WSS Tyneside Branch Hon Sec.
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Re: CAM JAGUAR

Postby TEESMAN » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:24 am

CAM JAGUAR laid up inside of the CAM CIVET and CAM LYNX at Grimsby 16.07.94 and undergoing conversion at Grimsby 09.05.98
CAM LYNX-CAM CIVET-CAN JAGUAR 160794a.jpg
16.07.94 Photo Michael Green
CAM JAGUAR 090598a.jpg
09.05.98 Photo Michael Green
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Re: CAM JAGUAR

Postby Patrick Hill » Sat Jun 06, 2020 10:05 am

Cam Jaguar Br 321/1957
Standby Safety Vessel
Grimsby
Cochrane & Sons Ltd. - Selby. (1424)
ex Ross Jaguar - 85
25/05/1995 Berthed Fish Dock, Grimsby.

At the start of her conversion.

camjaguar.jpg
Rgds

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