William Charles Kirby; Apprenticeship Indenture, Sea Fishing Service, Grimsby 1892.

This Indenture, made the 22nd day of July, 1892 between William Charles Kirby aged fifteen years, a native of Gravesend, in the county of Kent (hereinafter called the “Apprentice”), of the first part, and William S Letten, of Grimsby, in the county of Lincoln Owner of not less than eight sixty-fourth shares in (or Skipper of) the Fishing Boat Somerville, of Grimsby (hereinafter called the “Master), of the second part, WITNESSETH, that the said Apprentice hereby voluntarily binds himself Apprentice unto the said Master, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns (which said Master, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, and Assigns are hereinafter included in the term “Master”) for the term 5 1/2 years from the date hereof: ……….

A very long agreement printed on reinforced paper. It was signed by William Somerville Letten and William Charles Kirby on 22nd July 1892 and registered at the Port of Grimsby on the same day. The apprenticeship was for 5.5 years.

S.T. Somerville GY.310 was built in 1891 by Mackie and Thompson Ltd, Govan for William S. Letten, Grimsby (managing owner).