SS Kumu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 SS Kumu in 1913 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Kumu |
| Owner | Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd. |
| Operator | Joseph and Ernest Taylor |
| Builder | John Duthie & Co. Ltd., Aberdeen |
| Launched | 9 April 1913 |
| In service | 1913 |
| Out of service | 21 February 1929 |
| Identification | UK official number 132416; Fishing number FD176 |
| Fate | Foundered in Glen Bay, St Kilda, 21 February 1929, 57°49.535′N 8°36.128′W / 57.825583°N 8.602133°W |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fishing trawler |
| Tonnage | 315 GRT, 129 NRT |
| Length | 130.0 ft (39.6 m) |
| Beam | 23.6 ft (7.2 m) |
| Depth | 13.3 ft (4.1 m) |
| Installed power | 1 × triple-expansion steam engine by James Abernethy & Co. Ltd., Aberdeen; 69 RHP |
| Propulsion | 1 × screw propeller |
| Crew | 11 |
SS Kumu was a British steam trawler. On 20 February 1929, she foundered off Soay, St Kilda, Scotland, in thick fog, before eventually sinking in Glen Bay, Hirta.[1]
Kumu was a steel-hulled steam trawler that was built by the Torry yard of John Duthie & Co. Ltd,[2] Aberdeen (Yard No. 386) and launched on 9 April 1913. Her power source was a triple expansion engine that provided an output of 69 registered horsepower. The ship entered service for Clifton Steam Trawlers Ltd. and had a registration at Fleetwood under FD176.[3][4]
In July 1914 Kumu was involved in a serious collision with TSS Duke of Argyll but survived and was repaired to return to service. On 5 September 1914, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted for use as a minesweeper in the First World War.[5] She was equipped with a 6-pounder deck gun. On 19 May 1917 she struck a German mine in Torbay laid by UC-17 which killed two crew members. She beached at Babbacombe and was repaired. On 12 March 1919, Kumu was returned to her owners and resumed her commercial fishing duties.[3][6]