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Details
Function
Fishing Vessel
Subfunction
Trawler
Location
Grimsby
Vessel type
Grimsby Smack
Archive reason
Sunk
Current use
Ongoing conservation
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Info required
No
Web address
www.nelincs.gov.uk
Construction
Builder
Collinson, James, Grimsby
Built in
1888
Hull material
Wood
Rig
Unknown
Number of decks
1
Number of masts
Propulsion
Sail
Primary engine type
None
Boiler type
None
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
20.33
feet
(6.20
m)
Depth
11.15
feet
(3.40
m)
Length: Overall
76.07
feet
(23.20
m)
Tonnage: Gross
85.00
Air Draft
To be confirmed
History
Sold at auction on 4 May 1888, this Grimsby sailing smack was launched on 15 June 1888 and named G.I.C. With a crew of two men and three boys she fished for the Grimsby Ice Co. Ltd. until April 1896, when she was sold to Great Yarmouth. The company had started implementing the 'fleeting' method of fishing, whereby the main fleet stayed at sea and was supported by vessels bringing off their catch whilst keeping the working trawlers supplied with provisions and ice. It is supposed that G.I.C was bought for this purpose alone as steam-powered vessels were more apt at performing the shuttle service to the trawler fleet.
In 1902 she was sold to Iceland and renamed ESTHER. Twenty years later she was sold on to the Faroe Islands, where she remained for the next seventy years. Sold back to Grimsby in 1992, she was incorporated into the historic fishing fleet of the National Fishing Heritage Centre.
Esther was previously awarded National Historic Fleet status.
Key dates
-
1888
Built in Grimsby as sailing smack and named G.I.C (Grimsby Ice Company)
-
1888-1896
Fished out of Grimsby
-
1896
Sold to Great Yarmouth
-
1902
Sold to Iceland and renamed ESTHER
-
1916
Captain Olafson rescued 38 men from four small fishing boats and had to ride out the storm
-
1922
Sold to the Faroe Islands
-
1922-1992
Fished out of the Faroe Islands
-
1992
Sold to the National Fishing Heritage Centre
-
1993
Sailed back to Grimsby
-
2012
Vessel sank in Alexandra Dock, Grimsby. Council considering options for her future
-
2015
Vessel continues to be submerged, awaiting a decision
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
