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HMT Force facts for kids

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| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | HM Trawler Force

|} HM Trawler Force was a British ship. It was first built for the Royal Navy during World War I. Later, it was called back into service for World War II. Sadly, the Force was sunk by an air attack in June 1941.

Contents

History
United Kingdom
Name HM Trawler James Bucham
Builder Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd., Selby
Yard number 825
Launched 18 September 1917
Fate Sold 1922
United Kingdom
Name Stoneferry
Owner City Steam Fishing Company
Acquired 1922
Homeport Kingston upon Hull
Fate Sold, 1934
United Kingdom
Name Cape Tarifa
Owner Hudson Fishing Company Ltd.
Acquired 1934
Homeport Kingston upon Hull
Fate Sold, 1938
Polish Merchant Navy EnsignPoland
Name Franciszka
Owner Towarzystwo Dalekomorskich Połowów
Acquired 1938
Homeport Gdynia
Fate Sold, 1939
United Kingdom
Name Force
Owner Adam Steam Fishing Company Ltd.
Acquired 1939
Homeport Fleetwood
Fate Requisitioned, February 1940
United Kingdom
Name HM Trawler Force
Acquired February 1940
Fate Sunk, 27 June 1941
General characteristics
Type Naval trawler
Tonnage 438 long tons (445 t) gross
Length 138 ft (42 m) o/a
Beam 23 ft (7.0 m)
Depth 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
Propulsion
  • 3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine
  • 1 screw
Armament 2 × 12 pounder guns AA

The Ship's Journey

The Force was built in 1917 at a shipyard in Selby, Yorkshire. It was first named James Bucham. This ship was a special kind of trawler built for the Royal Navy. It had a powerful 3-cylinder steam engine. The James Bucham was officially launched on September 18, 1917.

Life as a Fishing Boat

After serving in the Royal Navy for five years, the ship was sold in 1922. A company in Kingston upon Hull bought it and changed its name to Stoneferry. It worked as a fishing boat for twelve years.

In 1934, the ship was sold again. New owners, also from Hull, renamed it Cape Tarifa. It stayed with them for four years.

New Owners, New Names

In 1938, a Polish company from Gdynia bought the ship. They gave it a new name, Franciszka. But after only one year, it returned to British owners. The Adam Steam Fishing Company Ltd. from Fleetwood bought it. They renamed the ship Force.

World War II Service

Shipwreck of the HM Trawler 'Force'
Where the Force shipwreck is located

In February 1940, World War II had already started. The Force was called back to serve in the Royal Navy. It was fitted with two special 12-pounder anti-aircraft guns. These guns helped protect it from enemy planes.

The Final Battle

The Force's journey ended off the coast of Norfolk, England. On June 27, 1941, German aircraft attacked the ship. The Force was sunk about 6 miles (10 km) from Winterton Ness. Its wreck now lies at these coordinates: 52°48′55″N 001°47′48″E / 52.81528°N 1.79667°E / 52.81528; 1.79667.

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