The old chapel and the new 'British', Douglas Harbour

In the forefront of the picture is the steam trawler Rose Ann. SS Rose Ann was built by H. M. McIntyre, Paisley, in 1879, and was constructed as a steam lighter. She was registered in Glasgow operating for James O’Brien. The Rose Ann was 105 ft long, with a beam of 19 ft, a 9 ft draught and was powered by two engines developing 48 horsepower aside (a total of 96 shp or 72 kW). The Rose Ann was 130 tons - Paul Quine Report this

In 1890 she was sold to Isabella Mac Callum and then in 1891 to George Nicholson and John Thompson, Liverpool. Following their purchase the vessel was re-registered at the Port of Liverpool. Her Liverpool registry was closed in August 1892 when she was re-registered in Douglas. - Paul Quine - Paul Quine Report this

Following the loss of the Albatross, she was bought by Robert Knox of Douglas in 1895. She was converted to a steam trawler and given the designation DO241. The Rose Ann replaced the Albatross, which whilst trawling with the Lady Loch on the Bahama Bank in the early hours of Tuesday 6th November 1894, was run down and sunk by the passenger steamer Duke of Clarence, which was owned by the London & North-western and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company and operated a schedule between Fleetwood and Belfast. - Paul Quine Report this

As a result of the collision, five of the crew of the Albatross were lost, out of a total crew of eight. The crew members were: Henry Hudson of South Quay, Douglas; Richard Gregg originally from Liverpool but who had lived for many years at Well Rd, Douglas; William Daugherty and John Leadbeater, both of Douglas, and Charles Shimmin who was the son of the skipper of the Lady Loch and lived with his parents in Big Well St, Douglas. - Paul Quine Report this

The Rose Ann was purchased in Liverpool and the three surviving crew members were all given positions. Edward "Princey" Shimmin was given command, Robert Kelly was appointed second engineer and Thomas Turner was taken on as a deck hand. In June 1895 she was hired by the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee for research into the fauna of Liverpool Bay and neighbouring seas. She dredged to the west and north-west of Peel and Ballaugh on the North Bank to depths of up to 20 fathoms. - Paul Quine Report this

Rose Ann undertook further work in October of that year when she dredged off Port Erin and along the south-eastern side of the Island, from the Calf of Man to Langness at depths of between 15-20 fathoms. She operated two sets of trawling gear which could be worked independently of each other and in terms of size was similar to the Albatross. When the Port St Mary Fish Company commenced trading, she was the first vessel chartered to transport fish between their Irish Station and Milford Haven. - Paul Quine Report this

In 1897 Knox mortgaged her to a gentleman named Henry Gordon of Onchan for the sum of £250 (equivalent to £28,575 in 2021) at an interest rate of 4%. She was mortgaged again in 1898, this time to Dumbell's Bank for a sum of £1,700 at a rate of 6% (equivalent to £190,765 in 2021). - Paul Quine Report this

On 4th November 1899, during a southerly gale, she picked up the Norwegian barque Cordillera, which had broken away from the tugs Knight of St George and Prairie Cock off the Point of Ayre and had been carried into the Solway Firth. The Prairie Cock subsequently arrived on the scene at which time the tow was transferred. Later, the Knight of St George again made contact. The two tugs together with the Rose Ann standing by, then proceeded into Ramsey Bay and were docked at Ramsey on the 6th. Through the court the owners of the Rose Ann were awarded £300 (equivalent to £34,019 in 2021). - Paul Quine Report this

In March 1900 probate was granted to Edward Gordon of Bembridge, Isle of Wight, and Rachael Gordon of Onchan, in respect of the mortgage of the vessel to the late Henry Gordon and by May 1901 the mortgage to Dumbell's had been discharged. In April 1901 Knox then mortgaged the vessel again, this time to Horace Lightfoot of Douglas for the sum of £500 (equivalent to £54,682 in 2021) at 5% interest. In February 1902 Knox discharged the mortgage which he had taken out with Henry Gordon. The third mortgage which Knox had taken out on the vessel, with Horace Lightfoot, was discharged in July 1914. In May 1915 Knox then mortgaged her again, this time to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank Ltd, Manchester. - Paul Quine Report this

In early 1915 the Rose Ann underwent alterations in order to fit her out as a cargo boat with a capacity for 125 tons of cargo. Following her alterations, she was put up for sale as such by public auction on Tuesday 13th July 1915 in the Farmer's Clubroom, British Hotel, together with the Lady Loch. Rose Ann was bought by Capt. Richard Phillips, who described himself as a ‘London shipmaster’ for £825 (equivalent to £66,598 in 2021) although the reserve price had been between £950 - £1,000. Upon purchase it is understood that Capt. Phillips was to send her to Australia. - Paul Quine Report this