Alpha | National Historic Ships

Registration number 899

Status Registered

a12admin

Details

Function Fishing Vessel

Location Woodbridge

Vessel type Thames Bawley

Current use Commercial Activity

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Info required Yes

Construction

Builder Aldous & Sons, Brightlingsea

Built in 1938

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Number of masts 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall

36.98 feet (11.28m)

Tonnage: Gross

11.00

History

ALPHA is reported to have been damaged by a bomb whilst in build at Brightlingsea and later suffered damage once again as the result of an explosion whilst on mine-sweeping duties in World War II. During her subsequent fishing career, she took part in demonstrations against EU fishing policies by sailing up the Thames to Westminster. This led to her being de-commissioned but she was saved by her owner from being destroyed and went on to work as a maintenance vessel for Southwold harbour. In 2007, she was re-fitted to return to life as a sailing trawler and was re-registered as CK 180.

In June 2020 it was reported that the vessel is in need of a major re-build, currently on the River Deben in Suffolk.

Key dates

1938
Built by Aldous of Brightlingsea
1940.1945
Served during World War 2

Grants

January 2012
A Sustainability Grant of £1000 for timber was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships UK

Sources

Dennis & Sons Ltd, ETW, Olsen's Fisherman's Nautical Almanack 1998, pp6-2, Edition 122, 1998
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, The English Welsh and Northern Ireland Fishing Vessel List, MAFF, June 1997