HMT Force

HM Trawler Force was a British trawler built for the Royal Navy in the First World War and subsequently requisitioned for service in the Second World War. She was sunk by air attack in June 1941.

HM Trawler Force
History
United Kingdom
NameHM Trawler James Bucham
BuilderCochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd., Selby
Yard number825
Launched18 September 1917
FateSold 1922
United Kingdom
NameStoneferry
OwnerCity Steam Fishing Company
Acquired1922
HomeportKingston upon Hull
FateSold, 1934
United Kingdom
NameCape Tarifa
OwnerHudson Fishing Company Ltd.
Acquired1934
HomeportKingston upon Hull
FateSold, 1938
Polish Merchant Navy EnsignPoland
NameFranciszka
OwnerTowarzystwo Dalekomorskich Połowów
Acquired1938
HomeportGdynia
FateSold, 1939
United Kingdom
NameForce
OwnerAdam Steam Fishing Company Ltd.
Acquired1939
HomeportFleetwood
FateRequisitioned, February 1940
United Kingdom
NameHM Trawler Force
AcquiredFebruary 1940
FateSunk, 27 June 1941
General characteristics
TypeNaval trawler
Tonnage438 long tons (445 t) gross
Length138 ft (42 m) o/a
Beam23 ft (7.0 m)
Depth13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
Propulsion
  • 3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine
  • 1 screw
Armament2 × 12 pounder guns AA

Career

Force was built at Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd at Selby in Yorkshire in 1917 (shipyard number 825), commissioned as the trawler James Bucham. She was an armed trawler built for the Royal Navy. She had a 3-cylinder triple expansion engine from C.D. Holmes of Hull. She was launched on 18 September 1917.

In 1922, after five years' service in the Royal Navy, she was sold to the City Steam Fishing Company Ltd of Kingston upon Hull and renamed as Stoneferry. She remained with them for twelve years and, in 1934, she was sold again and renamed. The new owners were the Hudson Fishing Company Ltd of Kingston upon Hull, who renamed her as Cape Tarifa. In 1938, she was sold to the Polish company Towarzystwo Dalekomorskich Połowów of Gdynia and again renamed, as Franciszka. After a year she returned to British ownership with the Adam Steam Fishing Company Ltd of Fleetwood, Lancashire, who renamed her Force.

World War II

Position of the wreck of the Force

In February 1940, after the outbreak of the Second World War, Force returned to the Royal Navy and was fitted with two 12 pounder 76 mm (3.0 in) anti-aircraft guns.

The end came for Force off the north east Norfolk coast, six miles (9.7 km) from Winterton Ness. On 27 June 1941, Force was attacked by German aircraft and was sunk at 52°48′55″N 001°47′48″E.

References

  • Tikus, Ayer (2004): The Ship-wrecks off North East Norfolk Pub: Ayer Tikus Publications, ISBN
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