The steel steam trawler Yesso was launched from the Selby yard of Cochrane and Sons Ltd. (Yard No 477) on 16th February 1911. She measured 119.2′ x 22,0′ x 11.5′ and her tonnage was 229 gross tons, 118 net tons. She w as powered by a triple expansion steam engine by Amos and Smith delivering 69 registered horse power.
Extract Lloyd’s Register
She was ordered by H L Taylor, Grimsby and, on delivery, registered in this port with fishing number GY600. She was requisitioned by the Admiralty at the outbreak of World War One in August 1914. The Navy installed a deck gun and she entered service as minesweeper No 186.
Builders GA drawing – Lloyd’s Register
On 9th February 1917 she was operating out of Aberdeen with other trawlers keeping the entrance to the busy and important harbour clear of mines. She was skippered by Arthur George RNR who had a crew of twelve men aboard. It appears she collided with a mine only 600 yards north east of the South breakwater. A barrage of four mines had been laid the previous day by UC-29 under the command of Oberleutnant Ernst Rosenow. The huge explosion killed seven of Yesso’s crew. The remaining six men, including the skipper, were picked up from the water by other trawlers who sped to the scene when they saw the explosion.
Yesso ran into Barrage 4
The wreckage of the Yesso was dispersed on 25th April 1917 after divers had surveyed her recovering the ship’s gun and bell. There is scattered wreckage in position 57° 08.939’N, 002° 03.323’W which was surveyed in 2013 oriented 155/335 degrees in depths of 9 metres. It is not certain this wreckage is from Yesso but the position closely matched the position reported at the time of her loss.
