The tug ‘Herbert Crampin’ pulling ‘Ross Zebra’ GY.653 into Grimsby Docks 1983.

From the original negative.

‘Ross Zebra’ GY.653 was built in 1960 by Cochrane and Sons, Beverley for Ross Trawlers Ltd., Grimsby. In 1985, she was sold to Cam Shipping Co. Ltd., Grimsby and converted to an oil rig standby vessel. She was renamed ‘Cam Zebra’.

‘Cam Zebra’ was reconverted for fishing and renamed Milagre in 2000 (Togo) and ‘Ivone II’ (Ghana) in 2004. She may have been sold for demolition in 2009 or was she still fishing off Nigeria as late as 2020?

‘Herbert Crampin’ was built in 1966 by John Harker Shipyards Ltd., Knottingley for Grimsby Salvage & Towing Co. Ltd. She was bought by Colne Fishing Co. Ltd. and moved to Lowestoft in 1984 and re-named ‘Ala’ in 1987. Now a houseboat on the Thames?

Note: ‘Ross Zebra’ (GY.653) was one of the famous ‘Cat Boats’ i.e. ‘Ross Tiger’ (GY.398), ‘Ross Leopard’ (GY.491), ‘Ross Jaguar’ (GY.494), ‘Ross Panther’ (GY.519), ‘Ross Cougar’ (GY.531), ‘Ross Cheetah’ (GY.614), ‘Ross Lynx’ (GY.626), ‘Ross Jackal’ (GY.637), ‘Ross Puma’ (GY.646) [lost in 1968], ‘Ross Genet’ (GY.650) and ‘Ross Civet’ (GY.652). They were named by Grimsby schoolchildren. ‘Ross Zebra’ must’ve been them having some fun with the process! The genet is cat-like but isn’t a cat.