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Steam Yacht John Fell, later The Majesta
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S.Y. John Fell (1)
Fishery cruiser
Additional
information courtesy of David Whiteside
Technical
Official Number:
111361
Yard Number: 79
Completed: 1899
Gross Tonnage: 145
Net Tonnage: 44
Length: 110 ft
Breadth: 18.6 ft
Depth: 10.7 ft
Built: Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon
Engine: C.2-cyl and boiler by
Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon
History
Majesta
Majesta was a 170-ton steam yacht built in 1899 as the SY Ziska. After
being re-fitted and re-named, she was purchased by Lord Morton in August
1903. Presumably this is the 'private yacht' used by Morton on his
cpastal watch duties. She was requisitioned in March 1940 and was
converted for use as a Harbour Defence Patrol boat in the Nore Command
with an armament of 12-pounders. In July 1941 she was reallocated for
use as a Mobile Mark VI Balloon Base at Aultbea, but in March 1943 was
converted for use as an accommodation ship for rescue-tug personnel at
Campbeltown. Her role during the First world War is not clear, but
her owner was 'Head Coast Watcher' and is known to have been active off
the west coast of Scotland in his private yacht.
1899: Completed by Ailsa
Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon (Yd.No.79) for Samuel T. Chadwick, Haulfre nr
Beaumaris, Anglesey as steam yacht ZISKA.
31.5.1899: Registered at
Troon.
1900: Sold to Lancashire & Western Sea Fisheries Committee,
Preston for £8,250. John P. Muspratt, Preston, County Offices appointed
manager.
1901: Troon registry closed.
1901: Fitted out as a
Fishery Cruiser and remeasured 145g 59n.
1901: Registered at Preston
after fit out as a Fishery Cruiser.
1901 – 1907: Visited Preston on
13 occasions, either from Southport or sea. Frequently coaled and laid
over at Fleetwood.
4.1902: Towed the Blackpool long line boat and
fishermen north to fish off the Cumberland coast based at Seascale.
1907: Sold to Montague Grahame-White, The Royal Automobile Club,
Piccadilly, London & others. Montague Grahame-White designated managing
owner.
1909: Refitted as a steam yacht and remeasured 145g 44n.
1910: Registered at Preston as MAJESTA after refitting as a steam yacht.
14.08.1912: At Cowes week and anchored in Cowes Roads, Jack Douglas of
Southwick drowned after falling from boat returning to the yacht.
14.08.1913: Sold to the Earl of Morton, Conaglen, Ardgour, Argyllshire.
The Earl of Morton designated managing owner.
1913: Remeasured 145g
59n.
1927: Sold to James Napier, “The Drums”, Old Kilpatrick,
Dumbartonshire. James Napier designated managing owner.
1939: Sold to
Arthur Gore, 7th Earl of Arran.
3.1940: Requisitioned for war service
employed on harbour defence patrol. Based Sheerness.
29.5.1941:
Compulsorily purchased by MoWT.
8.1941: Employed on balloon barrage.
8.1941: Deployed as an auxiliary patrol vessel. Based at Aultbea, Loch
Ewe.
7.1942: Laid up.
4.1943: Used as an accommodation ship at
Aultbea.
1.1946: Laid up and offered for sale.
1946: Sold (not
traced further at the moment).
Notes:
1. I am not clear as to when she was named SY John
Fell
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Any contributions will be
gratefully accepted
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