Features and Reviews

Our Unity

Having developed an interest in the motor powered trawlers of Brixham, Trevor Leaman's research work recently led him to uncover some of the past history of the vessel ‘Our Unity'. Now ex BM 96, he came across the former fishing boat languishing in a creek in North Devon.

As Trevor's pictures show, ‘Our Unity is now in a sorry state.' Unfortunately last winter the vessel was picked up by a gale and now lies hard up against rocks in the cove.  The Hatch cover has gone, also the door, with many electrics removed, and windows smashed. Although it is hard to tell if there is damage below the waterline, the Starboard rib is badly cracked. Sadly Trevor says, “It will not be long before she is a complete wreck.” 

However looking back the boat has had some memorable moments as well as being a former member of the Brixham Fishing Fleet.

Built in Galmpton in 1960 by Ralph Hopper and Sons, Our Unity weighed 12 tons, and was owned for many years by the late Ernie Passmore. Trevor found pictures showing Our Unity in all her glory taking part in the trawler race of 1967, behind breadwinner BM37, and Wegras, FY434.

He also remembered that during the summer months the vessel used to take sea anglers wreck fishing. It was one of at least 4 fishing vessels that used to do this, the others being  Breadwinner  BM 37, Koh-I-Noor was BM 35, and Anne-Marie BM 178. In 1970, whilst out on Our Unity, Colin Chapman from Southampton broke the British conger record! He broke the record which had stood since 1933, with a fish of 85 pounds, taken from a wreck in LymeBay.

Since 1995 the vessel was sold to a new owner in Ilfracombe who used Our Unity as a dive support vessel and there she now lies moored in Watermouth Bay, between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin.

Other vessels that that Trevor hopes to research further are Elijah Perrett BM 15, Peel Castle BM 17, Angelus BM 156, Angele Emiel BM 181, Sara Lena BM 30, Spartacus BM 145. “All have a story, all are still going,” he says, as he tries to get photos of them past and present. Trevor says, “If anyone has any information as to the subsequent history of any BM registered vessel after it left Brixham, I would love to hear from them. I can be mailed at brixhamtrawlerrace@hotmail.co.uk   .”