Pegrix

Above ... The Robrix (built 1939), the same build, tonnage and design as the Pegrix

PEGRIX

Type ... Motor Coaster, engine and bridge aft, fuel (oil), cruiser stern, raked bow. Decks ... Poop 44 feet, Forecastle 15 feet.

Position ... 53 05 54,2 N / 01 35 21 E (5 miles north of Haisborough Sands)

Built ... 1938

Construction ... Steel

Official number ... 165705

Builder ... J. Koster, HZN. Scheepswerft, Groningen (Northern Netherlands)

Yard number ... 164

Engine builder ... Humboldt-Deutzmotoren AG (Engine number 435587/92

Power ... 300 bhp

Prop ... 4 blades, bronze

Engine type ... 4 stroke, heavy oil fuel, 6 cylinders, cylinder diameter 28cm, stroke 45cm

Tonnage ... 296grt

Dimensions ... length 125 feet, beam 23.9 feet, draught 8.6 feet

Lost ... 21st August 1941

Cause of loss ... Collision

Owners at time of loss ... R. Rix & Sons (Humber Steam Coasters Ltd)

General depth ... 34mtrs

Lives lost ... None

History

Built in 1937 by J. Koster,HZN Scheepswerft for Humber Steam Coasters, R. Rix & Sons Limited of Hull who retained ownership of the Pegrix up until the time of her loss.

Circumstances of loss

Please note .... After further investigations on the part of Norfolk Wreck Research, the circumstances off loss as described in the book 'The Ship Wrecks Of North Norfolk' can probably be dismissed as being incorrect. , ie the book states that the Pegrix hit a mine laid by German minelayers.

Lloyd's has the Pegrix being listed as lost due to a collision. Further research has shown that at the time of her loss the Pegrix was attached to convoy EC.63 (Southend to the Clyde) with a cargo of cement. In addition a Lloyd's Law report states that the Pegrix was in Collision with the steamship Normandy Coast whilst both vessels were in the same convoy and sank after being hit on her starboard side.

From the reports offered by Lloyds, it would be safe to assume that the Lloyds account of loss is to be taken to be the correct version of events.

Humboldt-Deutzmotoren AG , engine builder....

1864 Otto & Cie. is founded in Cologne, Germany.

1869: The company is renamed Langen, Otto & Roosen.

1872: Company is transformed into a public share company and is renamed Gasmotoren-Fabrik Deutz AG.

1921: Cooperation with Motorenfabrik Oberursel starts and name is changed to Motorenfabrik Deutz AG.

1930: Company merges with Maschinenbauanstalt Humboldt AG and Motorenfabrik Oberursel to become Humboldt-Deutzmotoren AG.

1938: The company is integrated into Peter Klöckner's conglomerate and renamed Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG (KHD).

1953: KHD becomes independent again.

1992: KHD AG is transformed into a management holding company.

1997: The company is renamed Deutz AG.

Left ... Robert Rix, born in Burnham Overy, Norfolk, owner of the Pegrix.

The begining ....Born in 1841 into a farming family in North Norfolk, Robert was to spend 2 years working the land until such time as he ran away to sea to work on a small sailing coaster on the Tees. After settling in Stockton-On-Tees and marrying, he set up a shipbuilding company on the South Bank of the River Tees where he was joined in the business by his three sons. World War 1 was to see the companies profits grow and in turn invested in a ship building programe in order to modernise their fleet. In 1916 and 1917 the company took delivery of two pairs of steamships and named them the Magrix, Robrix, Jarrix and the Ebbrix, this in turn setting the precedent for the naming of all future fleet ships, ie Pegrix, Fylrix and so on.

From the companies early beginings, it has grown from strength to strength and has now evolved into J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd who are involved in a vast range of activities ranging from commercial, residential and marine fuel distribution, fuel cards, ship owning, stevedoring, warehousing and offshore wind farm support to holiday home manufacturing, car retail and property, through a number of subsidiaries of which the largest is Rix Petroleum Ltd.

In 2014 the company was ranked 30th in the Sunday Times’ Top Track 250.

UKHO

1992 - Swept clear at 27.1mtrs, foul at 27.4mtrs. Least depth 28.2mtrs in general depth of 34mtrs. Height 6.5mtrs, Length 50mtrs, Width 12mtrs. Reported as being in very good condition.

2018 - Length 40.7mtrs, width 8-9mtrs, Height 5.8mtrs. Least depth 28.6mtrs in a general depth of 34mtrs. Upright and intact.

The Pegrix today

Awaiting divers report (Refer to 2018 UKHO above for brief summary).