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This is a little about the history of the Vigilant before she was purchased by James Plumpton and the rest of the Cocos Island Treasure Hunters
BM273 Vigilant was a Ketch Trawler manufactured by Uphams of Brixham, South Devon in 1907.
The 'Vigilant' is not to be confused with the 1926 BM76 'Vigilance' which still sails today: https://vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk/
The Inner Harbour - Brixham
BM373 HCB trawler and possibly BM161 Valerian in the background - 1926
The Vigilant (BM273 on the right) was originally owned by Mr W. G. Polyblank of Brixham
I looked up the the Polyblank & Pocock families on Ancestry website but I could not find any direct descendants to contact for any information.
38 French Sailors saved by The Vigilant - November 29th 1920
Oil Painting of BM273 Vigilant - Photo held at the Brixham Museum
I would like to find out more about this painting.
Perhaps it was commissioned by the owner William Polyblank or painted in recognition of the rescue of the 38 French sailors in 1920.
I wonder if the painting still exists today.
One Vigilant fishing trawler skipper was Charles Pocock, who was son-in-law to the owner, Mr W Polyblank.
Charles Pocock and the Vigilant crew were involved in the rescue of 38 sailors from a Dutch yacht. -------->>>
The French government awarded the silver medal of the Marine Marchande "pour courage et devouement" to Skipper Charles Pocock, of the Brixham fishing smack Vigilant and the bronze medal to Messrs. W. G. Polyblank (owner), Robert Soper (mate), William Pocock and J. Foster (crew), of the Vigilant for gallant conduct in rescuing the crew of the French sailing vessel 'Capitaine Remy', during a gale off the Lizard on November 29th 1920.
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A Vigilant Cabin Boy Mr. J. G. Cowie also made the newspapers for saving 73 people during his career at sea.
The Brixham Regatta Trawler Races - BM273 Vigilant won the 1921 King George V Cup
'The brixham Torbay Regatta began in a dead clam sea and a heat haze in Brixham Harbour, South Devon. There were the usual races for trawlers and yachts of various classes and our picture shows trawlers preparing for the start of a race with big yachts in the background. Ketch-rigged trawlers under 40 tons gross registered tonnage belonging to Brixham are termed "mules" - Unknown newspaper clipping from 1932
The Vigilant did not take part in the 1932 Trawler Races because it was being prepared in the harbour to sail across the Atlantic to Cocos Island.
These results show that Vigilant won the 1921 race with Charles Pocock at the helm.
I wonder if there a 1921 'Vigilant' cup out there still?!..
Other interesting newspaper reports involving the Vigilant.
June 19th 1924
Jan 1st 1926
Other Heroic Rescues by Brixham Smack Trawlermen - to be updated
71 sailors were saved from HMS Formidable by the BM291 Provident crew in 1915
..to be updated
Three French Airmen saved by the crew of the Trawler 'Childrens Friend'
The Decline of the Industry was not helped by Sunken War Wrecks causing damage to Trawlers
The decline in the fishing and damage to rigs from WW1 wrecks meant that it was no longer possible to earn a decent living, so many fishermen were forced to sell their trawlers. The Vigilant was purchased in a Brixham auction in 1931 for £250 by Jolly Stratford & Phillips for the Treasure Hunt Expedition.
The 9 Vigilant crew members each paid equal shares of the purchase and fitting out costs. An expensive part of the expedition was the Insurance at £125 - I'm sure that was quite a lot of money in 1932!
Register of Shipping, 1917-1934
'Vigilant' 125107, sailing vessel with auxiliary motor, ketch, built at Brixham in 1907.
Owner advised vessel sold to Panamanian buyers.
Certificate cancelled and registry closed 17th July 1933.
Title owned by Stratford Dowker Aird Jolly.
If you have any information to add or any comments, please drop me an email: jamesplumpton.history@gmail.com
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