Bedelia?

[jimwstewart]

I have a print of a ship that I believe may be a converted fishing boat called the Bedelia. There also is an alpha-numeric number on the ship: BK273. She is small with one stack and 2 rear sails. She has a machine gun mounted on the bow and apppears to be readying to engage a nearby ship. The deck seems very small as the 3 or 4 crew fill it up. They appear to be merchant marine or fisherman as they are not formally uniformed. The artist is S. Nattles or just Snattles. The cool thing is it is titled "Gentlemen Unafraid". Under the signature is the "17" which might mean 1917. In addition on the paper the print is mounted on it appears someone has very nicely drawn in pencil some naval doodles that may or may not be the original artist and there appears to be a signature in pencil that is "snattles".


If anyone has any info on this or can decipher anything about the ship, country or artist I would be very grateful.

[AlZictorini]

Hello Jim

The Admiralty hired trawlers and drifter during both wars for various duties which even included fishing would you believe. The letters and numbers you see on the side of the craft is the port number issued by its home port. BK was the letters given to Berwick on Tweed, the number 273 would be tagged to the ships name in the port records. I've had a quick look through the WWI RN numbers for hired trawlers and drifter but I'm unable to find BK273 (or the name Bedelia) listed. This could mean your looking for a WWII vessel.

Good Hunting

AlZictorini

[Melv.]

I have had a look at the listings for Trawlers, Tugs etc. on the Admiralty listings for WW2 and there is no record that the "Bedelia" or any boat near that name existed.
I'll keep looking though and see if I can come up with anything else.

[jimwstewart]

Thank your for your help. I will be giving this print to the HMCS Nonsuch Naval Reserve here in Edmonton, Alberta. It seems to me it would be a great project for the cadets and staff.

Again thank you very much!!

Regards

jimwstewart

[Batstiger]

Jim, would there be any possibility of us seeing a scan of your print?

Bob.

[stontamar]

Hi Jim

Berkick’s Fishing and Sailing Boat Registers, through to 1916 are held by the Northumberland Archive Service. Contact Northumberland County Council Amenities Division at their Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office, Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1ED. Telephone 01289 310865 or they can be contacted by e-mailed at the following address: contactcentre@northumberland.gov.uk

Regards

stontamar