Shakespeare

The steel steam trawler Shakespeare (H994) was launched from the yard of Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Hull on 1st September 1908 (Yard No.548). She measured 111.3′ x 22.6′ x 12.1′ and her tonnage was 202 gross tons, 79 net tons. She was powered by a reciprocating triple expansion steam engine by Amos and Smith, Hull delivering 47 registered horse power. She entered service for her owners Hellyers Steam Fishing Co Ltd., Hull soon after and operated on the fishing grounds of the North Sea and north towards the Faroes and Iceland. The Shakespeare was one of 5 fishing vessels constructed and launched by Earle’s in 1908 to the same design, specification and dimensions. These vessels were named – New Crown, Celia, Antonio, Hermione and Shakespeare (Yard Nos 544-548). The vessels official number was 128112.

She continued to fish throughout World War One but, on 7th February 1917, she was to become a victim of the marauding German U-boat fleet that were terrorising the fishing fleets in the North Sea. The records of the details of the attack are conflicting with German sources claiming she was sunk by torpedo but other sources suggesting that she was scuttled by explosive charges. There is no doubt she was sunk UB-22 under the command of Oberleutnant Bernhard Putzier. Her crew of nine men including her skipper Arni Byron were lost. This would suggest that she was the victim of a torpedo hit rather than a scuttling. However, the damage to the wreck, which appears to be a relatively small tear in the side of the ship, would suggest the impact of explosive charges rather than the more devastating impact of a torpedo. Putzier had already sunk four other fishing vessels on this sortie and had sunk the steamship Boyne Castle nearby only a few hours before he attacked Shakespeare. They would sink five more British vessels on the sortie before heading back to their German base.

The wreck of the Shakespeare lies in position 56° 08.954’N, 001° 54.630’W oriented 085/265 degrees, She sits upright in 52 metres rising 5 or 6 metres from the seabed. There is a large gash on the port side a few metres from the bow. The deck structure has disappeared. The wreck was positively identified by the recovery of the bell in 2007 and the recovery of the maker’s plate some time later.

We would like to thank Lloyd’s Register Foundation – Heritage & Education Centre for allowing us to reproduce documents from their archive in this article.