Ross Tiger
The Ross Tiger is a traditional side-winder fishing trawler that was converted into a museum ship in 1992.[1] She is currently berthed in the Alexandra Dock in her home port of Grimsby, close to the PS Lincoln Castle, and forms the star attraction of the National Fishing Heritage Centre since it was opened to the public in 1992.[2][3]
Contents
History
The Ross Tiger (GY 398) was built in 1957 by Cochrane and Sons of Selby, Yorkshire for Ross Trawlers Ltd - a significant Grimsby fishing firm. She was the first of 12 vessels of her type, each named after cats, known as the 'Cat Boats'. Other Cat Class vessels include the Ross Leopard, Ross Cougar and the Ross Jaguar. Two of the Cat Class, however, were not in fact cats; the Ross Jackal and the Ross Zebra. A local school was consulted to name the twelve vessels which was in keeping with the companies’ involvement with the youth of the town. This extended as far as giving guided school tours of the trawlers between trips whilst moored in Grimsby docks, with meals provided in the company canteen. Those children would soon be in search for work - a fact that the company knew well - and in 1950s Grimsby, the largest fishing port in the world,[4] that was likely to have been work at the docks. A fond memory of Ross Trawlers may well have been enough to ensure that those lads signed onto their ships.
The Cod Wars spelt the end of the life of many Grimsby trawlers, though some were saved from the breakers’ yard to become standby vessels used for offshore oil rigs. The Ross Tiger was among those fortunate few, changing hands in 1985. However, the ageing vessels were soon to be redundant and Ross Tiger was looking at the breakers’ yard or yet another change of hands. Once again, the Tiger proved lucky. She was purchased by a museum trust to become the star attraction of her home town's Fishing Heritage Centre,[1] and restored to her fishing day glory. Guided tours of the vessel show visitors the unique spaces aboard and demonstrate how various peices of equipment aboard this traditional design of trawler were used.
Despite conversion to a standby vessel, much of the original fabric of the ship is retained. This includes her original Ruston and Hornsby diesel engines, wood panelling, cabins and bunks as well as the beautifully preserved wheelhouse with period instruments. The skipper's berth, just abaft the bridge, is also surprisingly well preserved, down to the original lampshades! This all combines to provide visitors with a genuine feel for this special and unique environment. Ross Tiger has recently undergone substantial maintenence work and still continues to give a valuable insight into the remarkable lives of the fisherman of the past.
Statistics
- Builders: Cochrane & Sons, Selby, Yard No 1416.
- Deliverey: Grimsby, February 1957. Registered to Derwent Trawlers.
- Gross Tonnage: 355.
- Nett Tonnage: 127.
- Length: 127.5ft.
- Beam: 126.5ft.
- Depth: 13ft.[5]
- Engines: 7 Cylinder, Diesel, manufactured in Lincoln, Lincolnshire by Ruston & Hornsby
Hauntings
The museum, including the Ross Tiger is said to be the home of various spirits. This has manifested itself in unexplained cold spots, smells, such as tobacco smoke, and footsteps with no obvious source. It is believed that the spirits may be associated with the previous use of the land that the museum occupies - a former timber yard - though some believe that the hauntings of the Ross Tiger are more likely to be due to former crew members or a particular ex-member of the museum staff that enjoys making his presence known. Investigators from television's Most Haunted have visited the ship. [6]
Previous Skippers
- Alfred Hodson (See photograph at right)
- E Hodson
- Alfred E Drury
- John G Drury
- Dennis Avery
- Arthur Bannard
- Jimmy Brown
- Peter Brown
- Alfred George Camburn
- George Chambers
- Jeff Colbert
- Charlie Cressie
- L Fluxford
- Frank Gilchrist
- James Gordon
- C Greaves
- J Jensen
- William Goddard Johnson
- George Edward Pedersen
- W. B Roach
- John Roberts
- D Sinclair
- Dave Speck
- Sheldon Stoakes
- Wally Stoakes
- G Wellbourne
- Chris Yensen
- J Daly
- Harry Mitchell [7]
The 'Cat Boats'
- Ross Tiger - February 1957
- Ross Leopard - October 1957 (Still in existance and currently for sale[8])
- Ross Jaguar - December 1957 (Converted into a three masted tall-ship and renamed simply Jaguar[9])
- Ross Panther - April 1958
- Ross Cougar - April 1958
- Ross Cheetah - November 1959
- Ross Lynx - February 1960
- Ross Jackal - April 1960
- Ross Puma - August 1960 (Wrecked of Hoy in 1969 - the only of the Cat Boats to have been lost, though all hands saved)
- Ross Genet - October 1960
- Ross Civet - October 1960
- Ross Zebra - November 1960. [10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “Tide turns for fishing museum” BBC News Accessed 2010–06–13
- ↑ North East Lincolnshire Council: Fishing Heritage Centre - Ross Tiger
- ↑ Tale of a Tiger
- ↑ Days out: “Gone fishing in Grimsby” The Independent, 8 September 2002
- ↑ http://web.ukonline.co.uk/rayricho/tiger7.htm
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4106510.stm
- ↑ Grimsby Trawler Skippers
- ↑ http://www.rossleopard.net/
- ↑ http://www.tallshipjaguar.com/
- ↑ http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/art-culture-and-leisure/museums-and-galleries/fishing-heritage-centre/fishing-heritage-centre-ross-tiger/
