Lives of The Cat Boat, 'Jaguar'

The Cat Boat 'Jaguar's' First Life

Ross, Houseflag

   'Ross Jaguar', the third of an eventual fleet of twelve "Cat" class trawlers, was launched by Mrs. R. Haynes on the 31st. May 1957. 'Ross Jaguar' was number 1423 from the shipbuilding yard of Cochrane & Sons, Selby, Yorkshire. Built for Derwent Trawlers Grimsby Ltd, the parent company of the Ross Group Ltd. After her fitting out was complete, she arrived at Grimsby in December 1957. On Tuesday 10th December 1957 'Ross Jaguar' completed her speed and acceptance trials in the River Humber and docked at Grimsby that night.
   Among those on board during the trials were Mr. H. Croft Baker, director; Mr. P. F. Edge, outside manager, and Mr. E. Rimmer, superintendent engineer, all from Derwent Trawlers Ltd; Mr. J. Croft Baker, former president of the B.T.F.; Mr. Sydney Cochrane, a director of the Selby firm of builders, Cochrane and Sons; Mr. R. J. Shepherd, general manager and Mr. P. Curtis of Drypool Engineering Co. Hull; Mr. A. Taylor, of Shell Oil Co.; Mr D. H. McVeigh, director of Two Counties Transport; and Mr. Beaconby, Mr. Booth, and Mr. V. Laws, of Ruston and Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln.
   Two days later she sailed on her maiden voyage in the North Sea, commanded by skipper J. Sheader who was the former skipper of the 30 year old steam trawler 'Righto'. The first catch of fish was landed on Saturday 21^st December, turning out 150 kits for the 10 day voyage. It realised £834.
   In accordance with custom, the proceeds of the sale of the first kit was donated to the Grimsby Fishermans Dependents' Fund. It was a kit of soles and was knocked down by Mr. Cyril Moody, head salesman for Trawlers Grimsby Ltd., to Mr. Harry Hills, one of the Ross Group's fish salesmen. Mr. Moody also presented him with the customary bottle of Whisky.
   Thus 'Ross Jaguar' commenced her 'First Life' as a Near and Middle-Water diesel -engined fishing trawler.

       The naming of the "Cat" class trawlers is an interesting tale. A group of children from a Grimsby School were approached by the Ross Group and asked to suggest names in the "big cat" family, for the twelve new trawlers. The names were submitted after great thought and deliberation by the children. Tiger, Leopard, Jaguar, Panther, Cougar, Cheetah, Lynx, Jackal, Puma Genet, Civit and finally "Zebra". Who could deny this child from her innocence and sincerity in submitting her big cat name, and so there was a "Zebra" amongst the"Cats".

       With the formation of the British United Trawlers (BUT) group in 1969 the Ross Jaguar, along with all the other vessels in the group, adopted the distinctive funnel markings of a broad white band on black with the legend BUT in dark blue. From all accounts 'Ross Jaguar' performed very successfully as a mid-water trawler. Many of her former Deck Officers and crew have visited the dockside and related their voyages and time spent on the 'Ross Jaguar'.

       With the state of the fishing industry in 1982, the once great trawler fishing fleet had been drastically reduced in the wake of the third and ultimately most damaging "Cod War". B.U.T. were determined to continue for as long as possible and kept the fleet at sea. A little respite, but time was running out. All eleven of the remaining Cat Class trawlers, (the 12th trawler, Ross Puma met an early and untimely demise when on the 1st. April 1968 - she was wrecked off Hoy in the Pentland Firth), continued as trawlers and the Ross Cougar has the distinction of landing the last catch at Grimsby in July 1985.

       There was no escaping the stark reality that the fishing industry for conventional trawlers had come to an end. CAM Shipping made an offer to B.U.T. to purchase the vessels for use as oil-rig supply ships and contracts were exchanged in January 1985. The First life of the Cat Boat Jaguar was over and conversion work for her new life commenced.

       CAM Shipping added two boat davits to the new bare deck , port and starboard, where previously the gallows had been. The davits were to be used for the launching and recovery of the two high powered rescue launches situated on their cradles each side of the foredeck. The boat deck was extended to allow for two ladders. Her hull was repainted "danger" orange with white whale-back and trims. The deck structures were grey and her funnel navy blue with a white CAM logo.

       Many ex-fishermen were able to find employment on the "Stand-by" vessels but in time, work on these vessels diminished. The oil companies found their costs escalating and crews were laid off for longer lengths of time. Partly because of this slow-down in the oil industry and also as new safety regulations required "stand-by" vessels to be fitted with two engines, the seond one to be a bow thruster. The "Cat" boats were fitted with one main engine, the Jaguar with a Ruston Hornsby 526Kw engine. The result of the new safety regulations in force was that the "Cat" boats could not be employed as "Stand-By" ships and it was too costly to install a second engine on each boat. Coupled with this, the oil industry was experiencing problems and the profitability of running the "Standby" fleet was in doubt for CAM Shipping. The "Cat" boat fleet was put out for sale.

       Now the decision making. Where would the conversation of 'CAM Jaguar' to a three masted sailing schooner take place. The options were to take her back to Australia for the conversion or to find a port on the east coast of England where the work could be carried out. The costs of motoring back to Australia were prohibitive. Grimsby Fish Docks definitely had space for the ship to be berthed alongside and the conversion work to take place. There were very few fishing boats still in harbour and the CAM Shipping Standby fleet was also to be sold off. As there were many skilled engineers, welders and craftsmen still working in the dock area it was decided to carryout the conversion in the Grimsby Fish Docks.

       A new deck would be built forward of the deck house structure and each side back to join up with the existing boat deck. There was no reasonable entrance to the ship so an aft saloon was built to provide a sheltered entrance to the saloon and a comfortable recreation area. Three masts were constructed of steel, the lower sections being approximately 60ft and upper masts of a further 30ft. Great detail went into the design detail, preparation and raising of the masts. New deck areas constructed above the aft saloon and above the captainās saloon and the area from which the funnel was demolished. New stanchions with handrails of 'Sepelle' hardwood were installed around the new deck areas, on the stairs and overhead walkways.

       The challenge was then on to find a sail maker. Prices were obtained from sail makers in HongKong, Singapore, Australia, England and Holland. United Baltic Sails in Holland was chosen for their skill in sail making for many talls ships, their quality of finish and price. Fitting out below the new decks, starboard and portside was a long and arduous task. New accommodation was provided portside and starboard, a new mess area, completely refitting the galley, a laundry, freezer room and the upgrading of both existing bathrooms.

       'CAM Jaguar' had it's own generators which are DC power and used for steerage, major pumps, fire alarms, emergency lighting and general lighting using 110v bulbs. As the decision was to install modern appliances, heating and lighting, as well as being able to use all electrical tools, a large 240V generator would need to be installed on board. A 240V generator on shore provided our power supply in the early stages of the conversion.

      'Jaguar'  now has installed, additional to the 110Kw DC generators, a 90Kw Volvo generator and a 30Kw Perkins generator providing ample 240V power for hot showers, washing machines and dryers,freezers and refridgerators, the galley with two ovens, hotplates, microwaves, extensive lighting and room heating when required. A water maker has also been installed in the engine room to ensure quality water at all times without having to rely on shore supplies.

      Extensive work which has been completed fitting out new and existing cabins, provides eight double and four single cabins. The fish hold area created in 'Jaguar's' first life has been converted to provide a gymnasium, library, floor space for sewing machines for sail repair, sail store and two office areas.

      During the winter lull Ron has re-plumbed the the exhaust piping from the two 110V generators so that exhaust water is expelled over the port side. In her first and second life 'Jaguar's' exhaust stacks were located within the ships funnel. The funnel was removed in the early stages of conversion, but once the mizzen mast and sails were prepared, it was essential for the exhaust pipes to be located below the maindeck portside. The design and construction for this has taken some weeks but it was one of those jobs which could be carried out in the winter.

      The web pages now contain information on our proposed voyages, application and expression of interest and crew agreement forms. Age is no barrier. We would like to hear from persons with experience in tall ship sailing but welcome enquires from applicants who believe they could contribute to the lifestyle with experience in other fields, cooking, deck hands, general deck work with painting and varnishing

     Helen Devereux

            The Cat Boats

The cats were waiting in their lair,
The mighty 'Jaguar' was there
Tiger, Panther, Puma and Civet,
Jackal, Couger, Cheetah and Genet,
Lynx, Leopard and even a Zebra.

They fished up near the Faroe Isles,
These sturdy little ships,
Caught, Plaice and Cod and Haddock,
To make their fish and chips.

They fished by night and fished by day,
Caught fish for all the land,
When the fish ran out, they shook their heads,
They simply did not understand.

They painted them red, when the fishing was done,
How grand they looked, out there in the sun,
The ships at the docks , the crews in their digs,
On standby, to save, the men on rigs.

Now the Cat Boats have gone, so far and wide,
No more will they sail, out on the tide,
To Portugal, Spain and the breakers yard too,
They have all gone, except for a few.

Puma lies beneath the sea, Tiger lies beside the quay,
She's there for everyone to see,

The one that is left , stands proud and tall,
For she is the winner, over them all,
Now she is ready to sail the seas,
Her mighty sails will fill by the breeze,
Over the oceans she will soon roam,
Like a Jaguar encircling it's home.

Sail on forever, Jaguar, sail on.

                        Keith Forden
                        1997