Eileen Wayman

In September 1943 the Fleetwood trawler Eileen Wayman safely reached port after steaming 321 miles home with a makeshift rudder.

The 36 hour ordeal began for the crew while at the fishing grounds. Bad weather stopped the trawling operations and the ship was “dodging” the weather.

There was a strong gale with heavy seas and rain. When the helm refused to answer it was discovered the rudder shank was broken in the trunk.

During the next 5 hours the crew, under the command of Skipper AJW Britton, worked to rig a jury rudder using an otterboard, ship’s warps and gear.

Mile after mile, hour after hour, the trawler limped home in gale force winds.

The vessel was steered from the winch with 3 men stationed there all the time, each doing 4 hour watches.

The trawler shipped considerable seas and although the men had a most unpleasant task they didn’t complain.

With the wind veering on reaching Rathlin Island, Skipper Britton decided it would be safer to head for the Isle of Man.

The Eileen Wayman reached Peel at 6pm on September 5th and was detained there by bad weather until 6am on September 8th when she eventually set out on the last leg of her voyage home.

At the time Skipper Britton said, “We all did our best to get the ship home.”

The crew were later rewarded for their gallant efforts.

Skipper Britton received an inscribed gold watch and a monetary award and the crew also received monetary awards.

Recipients were

Mate J Price, of Beach Road, Cleveleys; Bosun J Cowell, Percy Street, Fleetwood; Deckhands F Merlin, Cross Street, J Hickford, Ariel Way, C Holden, Macbeth Road, J Huartson, Avon Green, J Wade, Radcliffe Road, E Norton, Hamlet Road, Cook L Cashmere, Warrenhurst Road, Fireman J Lawton, Fishermen’s Mission and JE Norcross, Dock Street (all of Fleetwood).

Skipper Britton, of Conistan Avenue, Fleetwood paid tribute to his crew for steering the vessel from the winch, and for carrying out orders from the mate,bosun and himself from the wheelhouse.

The awards for “meritorious service” were presented by Fleetwood Steam Trawlers Mutual Insurance Company Ltd.

Chairman Mr HM Bird said the men, in bringing the ship safely back to port, had saved a valuable food producer for the nation.

The Eileen Waymen was being managed by Messrs J Marr and Son Ltd for a Hull man.

Marr’s deputy chairman Mr GE Marr, in congratulating the crew said:

“It shows that besides facing the hazards of gales and wartime difficulties there was teamwork.

“The men pulled together and it is gratifying to see that although the trawler was not Fleetwood owned, Fleetwood fishermen will look after other peoples property very well.”

Thankfully the company Skipper Britton said he hoped he could be of service in the future.

“Fishermen like to see their work appreciated,” he said.

But the Eileen Wayman came to a tragic end just two years later when she was lost after hitting rocks on the Island of Lewis in the Hebrides.

The crew were rescued by islanders.

The disaster struck in December 1945 as the vessel was nearing the end of her trip.

Skippered by Mr J Clarkson, of Broadway with Mr Britton as mate, the vessel sank after striking rocks.

Her distress signals were answered by villagers who rushed to the shore to help the men reach safety.

At the time a crewman said the Eileen Wayman sank, so quickly there were no time to collect all their belongings.

It is believed the trawler sank within a few minutes and had completely disappeared when daylight came having slid off the rocks into deep water.

Crew members at the time were:

Bosun F Cowell of Homestead Drive, Chief Engineer J Bond of Preston , Second Engineer A Niquest, Warrenhurst Road, Cook A Simpson, Firemen RE Robinson, Radcliffe Road and J McGlone, Seaman’s Mission; Deckhands C Harrison, Shakespeare Road, JF Rayworth, Cambridge Road, FE Morley, Whinfield Avenue. The apprentice deckhand was 14 year old H Mansell, of Elm Street, Fleetwood.

Another member of the crew, Mr E Meyer had earlier been put ashore at Stornoway after being taken ill.