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Name: Feasible

Certificate number: 711

Status:

Designated Vessel

Function:

Fishing Vessel

Sub Functional Area:

Drifter

Type:

Steam drifter

Location:

Penzance, Cornwall, England

Current use:

Restoration

  • Length on the Waterline:

    26.27 metres (86.13 feet)

  • Length Overall:

    27.43 metres (89.93 feet)

  • Gross Tonnage:

    150.00

  • Depth Hold:

    3.05 metres (10.00 feet)

  • Draught:

    2.77 metres (9.08 feet)

  • Maximum Breadth:

    5.49 metres (18.00 feet)
Feasible - Feasible's stern looking forwards - moored at Penzance

Web address

Builder

History

FEASIBLE was built in 1912 by John Duthie of Aberdeen as a steam drifter and still has her original steam winches and derricks. She was called up for service as a patrol boat in World War I and assisted in the destruction of U-Boat 48 on 24 November 1917. Once demobilised, she went back to herring fishing.

She had no less than five accidents including a collision in heavy seas, on one occasion losing a crew member overboard. At the outset of World War II she was again requisitioned by the Admiralty, this time as a minesweeper. Commanded by CC Findlay RNR, under orders from HMS, she was ordered to Dunkirk, where she picked up soldiers from smaller vessels who were ferrying them out from the beaches. Her engineer, A A Storr, was later decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal. On one of her returns to Ramsgate, FEASIBLE was bombed and disabled.

After the war, she was sold to Norway and given the name MELOY after an island above the Arctic Circle. She was also fitted with a 22hp diesel engine. Arctic Shipping of Cowes, found her 70 miles from the sea in Veafjord and brought her across the North Sea from Bergen to Cowes under her own power.

A snapshot of the life and times of a steam drifter/trawler is provided by the personal log of Roy Jenner Breach during a voyage to the West Coast of Ireland in March 1937. He sailed on one of a fleet of 9 fishing vessels under the ownership of his father, John Victor Breach. FEASIBLE was one of this fleet.

Leaving Lowestoft on 24 March the fleet tracked north. The log notes 'very impressive to see vessels under one ownership and newly painted in owners' colours steaming in company.' The first port of call was Hartlepool for bunkers on 25 March and Aberdeen was abeam at 3pm on 26 March; the potentially dangerous waters of the Pentland Firth and Cape Wrath were navigated the same night and the fleet arrived at Mallaig for bunkers at 10pm on 27 March. The fleet had run down the West Coast of Scotland partially under the shelter of the Western Isles and the Isle of Skye. Now they headed west into the open Atlantic Ocean and abeam of Aran Island off Donegal they commenced fishing: It was now 29 March and had taken them 5 days to reach their fishing grounds. The log tells that one of the vessels was appointed 'Admiral', co-ordinating the fishing and designating one of the vessels to be 'fleet carrier' for the day. During 30 March, weather conditions worsened and the fleet ran for cover in Killybegs where their catch of herring was sold by a local agent. Leaving the next day, they continued fishing for 4 more days. They then retraced their steps round Malin Head and to Ayr in Scotland where on 4 April, fish was landed and the log ends. It is assumed that Roy Breach left the fleet at Ayr and returned to Lowestoft.

In 1937, fishing lacked technology and choosing fishing grounds was by visual observation and the knowledge of skippers; frequent calls had to be made at ports to take on coal bunkers and navigation was less sure - the log records that on the voyage back to Ayr they were steaming on dead reckoning and later 'cruised about trying to locate our position.'

In 2007, FEASIBLE was located in Penzance harbour having been bought by her current owner in 1997 and sailed down from the Isle of Wight. Each time an attempt was made to round Land's End with her 1903 engine, it stopped and the lifeboat had to be called. Finally, the engine was given back to its country of origin; Norway, for use in the Bruvnoll Museum. The owner has plans to restore FEASIBLE, but is currently awaiting funding.

These brief histories are compiled from details supplied by vessel owners and enthusiasts and from various reference works. National Historic Ships would be grateful for any corrections of facts or additional information for inclusion. Please contact ron.ellis@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

Subsequent developments

None notified, please let us know if you have any additional information.

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