I have received the following query from a fellow researcher and wonder if any Forumite has further details?
*****
Am trying to confirm who the builders of this vessel were and the year
ROVER GY621
I found mention of ROVER on the Wreck Site as being built in Dumbarton in 1898 by R.McAlister & Sons.
I was not aware that McAlister built trawlers,they were mostly yacht and motor boat builders.
She does not appear in LR for the period and am wondering if she had been converted from a yacht to a trawler at some time nearer to 1916
The vessel was scuttled by UB-19 on 5th. Of October 1916,10 miles ENE of Spurn Head Light Vessel.
At the time of her loss she was owned by Amaranth Fishing Co.Ltd of Grimsby.
*****
Wrecksite link is: http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?156492 and if her stated gt of 42gt is correct this will explain why she was not in LR.

Any additional details much appreciated.

Ron

The only 1898 completion I can find by McAlister was a sailing cutter TIGRIS ... will relay this to some Clyde-based contacts.

Had a quick look on CLIP

Built Dumbarton 1898 and looks as though she was first registered at Glasgow in 1901 ON 113990
42grt, 20nrt, 70.0 x 14.2 x 7.3ft, wood
Screw, 7nhp
1904: Lord Burton, Burton-on-Trent & Glenquoich, Inverness-shire
1907: James H Roger, Glasgow
1915: David Cockburn, Glasgow
1916: Register closed
No previous name mentioned

Dave,

Many thanks for these details from CLIP which I will pass on. Looks possible she may have had a previous name until 1901?

George's suggestion about the TIGRIS is intriguing, and shows what comes to light when you start looking for details. A web search for Tigris+mcalister+dumbarton leads to Mylne's Register of Yachts for 2012. Albeit only 10 pages it lists some 160 yachts designed (over quite a long period of years by the look of it) by Alfred Mylne - these appear to be the survivors from more than 600 built.

Surprisingly, and perhaps remarkably, the TIGRIS is still listed. It seems she is a cutter rather than a yacht, but shown as built McAllister, Dumbarton, in 1899. She is only 12gt. It seems she is still afloat at Hamble.

Ron

Entry from the Lloyd's Yacht register for 1901-1902

Well found everyone .... Clyde contacts inc David Asprey have come up with much the same info, David also found this nice bit... from a NZ newspaper.



It seems that Amaranth was formed only in 1915.
Rather nice also to find a Trent connection if only via distant Burton (not Stather!).

George and others,

Thanks for all help. Her career as a yacht seems to be well-documented and substantiated. What is less certain is confirmation of any conversion to a trawler and Grimsby ownership, albeit there are passing references to a ROVER with fishing number GY621 thought to be this same vessel.

Ron

David has promised to check her out on his next visit to the National Archives, will advise if the link to the Grimsby f/vessel is proven.

Reply from David Asprey ....

The registration papers confirm builder as R McAlister & Son (with an engine by M Paul & Co).
Definitely not on British register until 1901 and still no clue as to her first three years - I suspect just unregistered. Amaranth Fishing confirmed. That, and other stuff now added to the data sheet.

Thanks. These details passed on to original enquirer.

Ron