Built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell in 1897 the 160 ton steam trawler Dovey operated in the waters around the United Kingdom until June of 1915. At that time she was owned by East Anglia Steam Fishing Company Ltd of Grimsby and carried a crew of nine men. despite the danger of German submarines the men took the ship out into the North Sea to earn a living and feed the people of the U.K. The fishing fleet was a vital part of the war effort with many fishing vessels taken into service as minesweepers and auxiliary craft, but many had to continue to do the work they were designed to do, catch fish to feed the population.

On or about June 11, 1915 Dovey was about fifty miles east by south of Spurn Head when she hit a mine and sank. The minefield was at that time unknown to the Admiralty and her loss is credited to having help to locate the Outer Silver Pit minefield. Since very little has been written about this ship the circumstances of her loss and how it was learned of evade me. All nine men were lost and the ship was officially declared lost on July 30. However reports released after the war give the date of the loss as June 11. Exactly how this was determined are unknown to me at this time.

© 2015 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com

Briscoe, Henry

Deck Hand

Cooper, Robert

Chief Engineer

Davis, Arthur

Deck Hand

Gibson, Thomas

Third Hand

Hall, William

Trimmer

Harris, W. Giles

Cook

Norman, Mark

Mate

Oldershaw, Richard B.

2nd Engineer

Short, George W.

Skipper

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