STAR OF ORKNEY

Shipbuildervessel built by Hall, Russell & Company, Limited (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)

Shipownervessel built for Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Co. Ltd. (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Date5 August 1936

Object NameFISHING VESSEL

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 126' 1" x breadth 23' 7" x depth 13' 9"
Gross Tonnage: 273 ton

Object numberABDSHIP002443

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Hall, Russell & Co.
Yard Number: 741
Official Number/ IMO: 165241 / 5338828
Fishing number A421.

Fate: probably broken up early 1963 (see note)

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Trawler, side, screw, steel, fitted with a wireless telephone, a depth sounder and an electric log.

Owners:
29/08/1936: Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Company Limited, Aberdeen, registered at Aberdeen, A420
08/1939: Requisitioned by Admiralty, minesweeper. Pennant No. FY.683.
09/1946: Returned to owners.
15/01/1963: Walker taken over by the Hull controlled Mannofield Fishing Co. Ltd.

General History:
05/08/1936: Launched at 3.30 p.m. Named by Mrs Andrew Walker. HR Launch Book
31/08/1936: Trial trip. HR Launch Book
03/1939: Damage from an an incident at the fish market required docking on No. 2 Pontoon Dock for repairs.
27/03/1956: Stranded in fog in the Navigation Channel. Refloated without assistance.
05/1956: Grounded on Svinoe Island during a gale and had to go to Klaksvik to repair a leak.
27/11/1961: Grounded on a rock shelf in the Navigation Channel, causing bottom damage. Towed off by the DANNY.
01/1962: Extensive repairs to the bottom completed by John Lewis & Sons Ltd.

Notes:
No reports after January 1963 and it may be assumed that the vessel was sent to be broken up by the new owners shortly after their takeover.

Design used as the basis for the “Round Table” class of Admiralty mine sweeping trawlers.

Electric lighting throughout, but an acetylene system was installed as backup.
Electric heater in captain’s cabin. Hot & cold running water in crew accommodation.
Cod liver oil boiler. Bunker for 140 tons of coal.
08/1958: Converted to oil firing at Greenock. Admeasured at 267.18 g.r.t., 113.06 n.r.t.

Engine details: Steam by screw, inverted, surface condensing, triple expansion engine 12½” x 21” x 35” with 26” stroke, 73 n.h.p. by Hall, Russell
Boiler: number 1 S.B.; heating area (ft^2) 1706 boiler, 685 superheater.; diamter 13' 6"; length 10’ 10¼” (11’ in o.); furnaces 3 plain welded flanged 3’4⅜” dia; pressure (p.s.i.) 200.
Propeller: 9’ 3” diameter, solid, cast iron.

Cost & extras: £13,000

See also:
History (CS) - http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=52086&vessel=STAR+OF+ORKNEY
WW II Service (UB) - http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/7197.html
Photographs in Aberdeen Archive: - HR/2/7/290/14/1 to /5 and 401/18.