Ordered by the Admiralty in the latter years of World War One the Strath Class Admiralty trawler William Griffen was launched from the Bowling yard of Scott and Sons Ltd in August 1918. She measured 115.6′ x 22.2′ x 12.2′ and her tonnage was 203 gross tons, 88 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by W H Allen Ltd, Bedford delivering 74 nominal horse power.
GA Section of Strath Class Trawler
Lloyds register 1939
After her launch she was purchased by Perihelion Steam Fishing Company Ltd in early 1919 and registered in Grimsby as G1321. In 1921 she was sold to Herbert Crampin of Cleethorpes. Six years later another change of ownership saw her briefly operating out of North Shields under the ownership of Mrs Florence Catcheside before being purchased by A B Lee and Co Ltd of North Shields who renamed her Tynemouth Castle. Finally she was purchased by John Lewis Ltd North Shields in 1935.
Steam trawler Tynemouth Castle under way
On 8th December 1939 the Tynemouth Castle was fishing off Cruden Bay when she ran aground on the Cruden Scares, a rocky outcrop close the shore. Luckily, the weather at the time was reasonably calm and the crew were able to safely launch their boat to be picked up by the Aberdeen trawler Eileen Duncan and taken back to Aberdeen. Only minutes after the crew disembarked the Tynemouth Castle drifted off the rocks and out to sea. She sank later thee miles off shore.
The wreck of the Tynemouth Castle was positively identified by Buchan Divers when the bell, with the inscription William Griffen, was recovered. The wreck lies in position 57° 21.954’N, 001° 47.090’W oriented 000/180 degrees in 58 metres with a least clearance of 54 metres. The wreck sits upright and reasonably in tact with her superstructure gone.
We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Buchan Divers – www.buchandivers.com in the preparation of this article.
