HMT Force

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.

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.

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

• HMS Force