MFV Torbay Queen | National Historic Ships

Registration number 3764

Status Registered

luis.vicente

Previous names

1972 - 2010 Frances

Details

Function Fishing Vessel

Subfunction Ring-netter

Location Totnes

Vessel type MFV

Current use Community Vessel

Available to hire Yes

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder SHEARS, Henry, Galmpton

Built in 1959

Hull material Wood

Number of decks 1

Number of masts 2

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

5.83 feet (1.78m)

Air Draft

28.00 feet (8.53m)

Length: Overall

44.00 feet (13.41m)

Tonnage: Gross

21.00

History

MFV TORBAY QUEEN was built in 1959 by Henry Shears at Galmpton, near Dartmouth, Devon. She was commissioned by the Browse Family as one of a pair of fishing boats. Her build is of pitch pine and oak with copper nails and bronze screws.

She was originally used in the crabbing and lobstering industry at Dartmouth until 1972 when she was moved to Mevagissey, Cornwall, and renamed FRANCES FY 238. There, she had a very successful career, breaking catch records in the area.

One unforgettable feat was her remarkable haul of 2 tons of large cock crabs and an additional ton of lobster after an extraordinary 48-hour expedition north of Alderney—a feat unlikely to be replicated. This extraordinary vessel continued her commercial fishing pursuits until her retirement, leaving behind a lasting legacy of seafaring adventures and tales.

In 2010, she moved to Salcombe, Devon, and in 2014 her original Gardner 4L3 engine was replaced with a Volvo Penta D7 170HP, 6-cylinder diesel engine. She continued to sail until recently, and she is now undergoing structural repairs and modernisation work at Totnes, Devon.

Key dates

1959
Built by Shears, Henry of Galmpton, Devon
1972
Moved to Mevagissey, Cornwall, and renamed FRANCES
2010
Sold and moved to Salcombe, Devon
2014
Engine changed form original Gardner 4L3 to 6-cylinder Volvo Penta D7 170HP