One of the Lowestoft trawlers that was seen in Malta was the diving support vessel FALCON that was seen both at Sliema Creek, Marsamxett Harbour and at Grand Harbour in 1997.
She was built in Lowestoft by the Shipyard of Richards Iron Works Ltd as Yard Number 417 for Small and Co Ltd of Lowestoft as the drifter YOUNG DUKE with fishing matricola as LT387. She was launched on 24th August 1953 and completed on the 19th September 1953 with 115 GRT and powered by 300bhp Ruston & Hornsby 4 stroke 5 cylinder diesel engine.
In 1966 she was converted into a side trawler including the fitting of a whaleback. In 1969 she was sold and renamed SPES AUREA with fishing matricola as KY 377. In 1973 she was sold to Putford Enterprises and she became the SOUTHLEIGH with the same fishing matricola. Although she was homeported at Kirkcaldy, Scotland she continued fishing from Lowestoft until 1977 after which time she was converted into a standby safety vessel until 1987. Then she was converted into a diving support ship emerging as EURODIVE I in 1988.
During 1997 she was seen in Malta as the FALCON and later on she was sold.
Back to 2018 we issued an article regarding the Lowestoft trawler HATHERLEIGH – https://maltashipnews.com/2018/10/09/ship-of-the-week-hatherleigh/
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Wednesday 4th August ,2021
