Built 1869 by by T. Hepple & Co., Low Walker. Iron paddle tug. L107.2’. B18.5’. D9.8’. 126grt. 26nrt. 60nhp 2cyl 28.5”x54” side lever steam engine by builder. ON63510
1869 Delivered to William J. & George Thomas, Gravesend. 1872 Sold to Dr. M. Brownfield, Poplar . 1879 Owner W. Renney, London . 1881 Owner G.R. Lardner, Gravesend . 1885 Owner H. Green at Blackwall. 1886 Sold to John Mitchell, Matthew Brownfield & others, Gravesend. 18-4-1887 Towed collision damaged barque Ida into Dover. 2-12-1887 Assisted towing weather damaged barque Salmon from off Dungeness to Gravesend.11-1891 Sold to Thomas F. Ward, Middlesbrough . 10-1892 Sold to The Tees Tug & Lighter Co Ltd., Middlesbrough. 1892 Re-boilered. 10-1897 Sold to William Black, James Westoll & John Adamson, Sunderland. 1903 Sold to The Anchor Steam Tug Co Ltd., Sunderland. 7-1920 Transferred to France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co Ltd., Newcastle . 1932 Owner William Pickersgill & Son Ltd., Sunderland. 1932 Scrapped.
------------------------------
RESCUE 1893
Photo C Phillips colln
Built 1893 by Anderson Laverick and Co, Newcastle. Steel screw tug. L80.6'. B16.9'. D9.1'. 91grt. 60hp steam engine. ON102824. Callsign NGRT.
1893 Delivered to J Constant, London. 1893 Sold to M Brownfield, London. 1911 Sold to Michael M Mitchell, Northfleet, Kent. 1912 Sold to Portuguese owners.
--------------------------------------
RESOLUTE 1858
Built 1858 at Nelson Dock, Rotherhithe. Wood paddle tug. L102.3’. B18.7’. D10’. 121grt. 38nrt. 6nhp 2cyl steam engine. ON22170.
1858 Delivered to James Deane et al, Gravesend. 20-12-1859 £200 awarded for assisting ship Undaunted off Dungeness and towing to Gravesend. 17-12-1861 Engaged in telegraph cable work off Deal. 1864 Sold to Melbourne owners. 1881 [by] Owners Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners.
----------------------------
RESOLUTE 1859
Built 1859 by Gardiner, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L83,3'. B16.5'. D8.8'. 67grt. 35nhp steam engine ON27705
1859 Delivered to John Gray, Shields. 1862 Sold to Antonio Gabrelli, London. 1864 Sold to R R Carew et al, London. 1866 Sold to J A Hallett, London. 1867 Sold to George Webb, London. 1869 Sold to Sidney Merton, London. 1870 Sold to Frederick Golla, Palermo Italy. No further trace.
-------------------------------------------
RESTLESS 1869
Built 1869 by Readhead, Softley & Co., South Shields. Iron paddle tug. L94.7'. B17.1'. D8.5'. 90grt. 45nhp steam engine by builder. ON63523.
1869 Delivered to William Sandford, Gravesend. 17-12-1872 Collided with sailing barge off Gravesend. 26-3-1879 Towed SS Peninsular back to Gravesend with loose prop. 3-3-1880 Towed paddle tug Ben Nevis into Margate with broken main shaft. 1882 Owner Wm Sandford, Gravesend. 18?? Sold to unknown owner. 1885 Sold to Tees Conservancy Commissioners. 1906 Scrapped by owner.
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ROB ROY 1848
Built 1848 at North Shields. Wood Paddle tug. L95.6'. B17.3'. D7'. 122grt. 100nhp Grasshopper steam eninge by W Hawks, Gateshead. ON90131.
18-1-1848 Delivered to Caledonian Steam Towing Co., London. 4-11-1858 Assisted SV Judith aground Tongue Sands. 9-11-1861 Owners Caledonian Steam Towing Co. Two men fell overboard boarding tug at Dover. One badly crushed between tug and quay.
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ROBERT BURNS 1837
Built 1837 at Gateshead. Wood Paddle Tug. L84.6'. B15.8'. D9.4'. 95grt. 60hp Grasshopper steam engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. ON20772.
1837 Delivered to unknown owner in London. 9-1838 Operating on Thames. 25-7-1844 Sold to Caledonian Steam Towing Company, London. 29-11-1853 Sold to J Watkins, Liverpool. 1858 Sold to J C Reid, Liverpool. 3-11-1859 Offered for sale by auction at Liverpool. Vessel lying at Tranmere. No further trace.
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ROBERT BURNS 1855
See details under BEN MORE.
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ROBERT BURNS 1865
Built 1865 at North Shields. L86.6'. B18.5'. D9.4'. 86grt. 35nhp steam engine by Brodie. ON49777.
1865 Delivered to Andrew Bain, Shields. 1868 Owner H B Pring, Shields. 1870 Owner A O Ralli, London. No further trace.
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ROBERT SCOTT 1863
Built 1863 by Andrew Woodhouse, South Shields. Woopd paddle tug. L83.2. B16.7'. D9'. 75grt. 32nhp steam engine. ON43650.
1863 Delivered to E T Hankey, London. 1867 Sold to Antonio Gabrelli, London. No further trace.
--------------------------------
ROVER 1857
Built 1857 by Blackwood & Gordon Paisley, Port Glasgow, YN24. Iron Paddle tug. L132.3’. B20.6’. 187grt. 80nhp 2cyl steam engine. ON20452.
1857 Delivered to New Steam Tug Co., Liverpool. 1860 Sold to Atlantic R.M.S.N.Company, London. 1864 Sold to W.H.Thompson, London. 1865 Sold to Francis G Harrison, London. 1866 Sold to G.W.Halfpenny, London. 1868 Sold to Thomas Jolliffe, Liverpool. 1882[by] Owner William Jolliffe, Liverpool. 1889 Converted to barge.
----------------------------------
ROVER 1861
Built 1861 by Daniel Bider, Low Walker. Wood paddle tug. 91grt 29nrt. L 90.0'. B18.6'. D9.3'. 90nhp 2cyl side lever steam engine by Hepple & Landells. ON20126.
1861 Delivered to Robert, John & Daniel Mitchell, Gravesend. 1864 Sold to Thomas Hepple, Low Walker. 1864 Owner William Brown, N Shields. 1866 Sold to United Steam Towing & Navigation Co, Port Glasgow. 1869 Sold to Alexander M Paterson, Port Glasgow. 1870 Owner Alexander C Paterson, Port Glasgow. 19-03-1874 Wrecked at Garroch Head, isle of Bute..
------------------------------------
ST MICHAEL 1838
Built 1838 at Gatshead. Wood padle tug. L51.3'. B12'. D3.75'. 30grt.10nhp Grasshopper type steam engine. ON9069
1838 Delivered to unknown London owner. 1-7-1845 Sold to D Barker and John Spicer, London. 17-6-1849 Sank off Billingsgate Market, London, following boiler explosion. later salved, repaired and returned to service. 5-1-1859 Sank in Halfway Reach following collision with SS Panther. Raised, towed to Bow Creek, repaired and returned to service.1863 Owner D Barker, London. 1870 Sold to Walter Thomas Phillips, London.
---------------------------------------
SAMSON 1837
Built 1837 by Stephen Wood, Gateshead. Wood paddle tug. L84’. B15.9’. D9.1’. 88grt. 60nhp steam engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. ON9167 Callsign KGFC
1837 Delivered to Thames Steam Towing Co., London. 1839 Burnt out and sank at Gravesend after ropes drying on boiler caught fire. Salved. 2-9-1839 Under Captain Pickering. 14-9-1857 Involved in collision with Dutch SS Fyenoord off Gravesend. 1871 Register closed “Sunk 12 – 15 years ago following collision”.
---------------------------
SAMSON 1843
Built 1843 by Andrew Woodhouse, South Shields. Wood paddle tug. L83.5'. B16.3'. D9'. 90grt. 40nhp 1cyl side lever steam engine by T D Marshall, Newcastle. ON10681.
1843 Delivered to Mark Melvill, North Shields. 1844 Sold to Corporation of Trinity House, Deptford Strond, London. 1849 Sold to Ramsgate Harbour Trustess. 1858 Sold to William Newcomb, London. 1860 Sold to William Haywood et al, London. 1861 Sold to James Waller et al, London. 1861 Sold to James Matthews, London. No further trace.
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SCOTIA 1863
Built 1863 by R & H Green, Blackwall. YN358 Wooden paddle tug. L131.9' B21'. D8.8'. 199grt.
1863 Delivered to Caledonian Steam Towing Co, London. 1863 Sold to the Admiralty for £17,500 for towing duties at Devonport.
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SCOTIA 1864
Built 1864 by R & H Green, Blackwall. YN360 abt L131.9'. B21.0' D8.8'. 199grt. Wheel steering. Two Boilers. Two funnels athwart. ON50079
1864 Delivered to Caledonian Steam Towing Co., London. [Replacement for 1863 vessel]
-----------------------------------
SECRET
Owner Richard Ross, London
28-8-1851 Bows damaged following collision with SV Arrow off Deal1 3-6-1855 £300 award for towing brig Juanita off Goodwin Sands. 5-2-1857 Awarded £3500 for salvage of barque Spirit Of The Age, in the Downs. 2-11-1859 Collided with SV Julia. No further trace.
------------------------------
SHAH 1874
Built 1874 by John Readhead & Co, South Shields. YN 99. Iron paddle tug. L84.3'. B17.6'. D9.2'. 86grt. 40nhp 2cyl side lever steam engine by builder. ON68529.
1874 Delivered to Joseph Martin et al, London. 1878 Sold to Goole & Hull Steam Towing Co Ltd., Goole. 1914 Sold to George Alder, Middlesbrough. 1916 Renamed Dales Thorpe. 1928 Scrapped by G. Broad, Hylton, Sunderland.
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SHAMROCK 1890
Built 1890 by E. Finch & Company, Chepstow. Steel screw tug. L85’. B17.6’. D9.5’. 84grt. 500ihp 2cyl 18"x34"x24"s. compound steam engine by Penarth Slipway & Engineering Co. ON95193.
1890 Delivered to D B McCallum, Cardiff. 1893 Sold to Isabella Mitchell and others, Gravesend. 1896 Owner John Mitchell and Sons, 49, Milton Rd., Gravesend. 1898 Sold to Michael M. Mitchell, Gravesend. 1900 Sold to Philip Margetts, London. 1903 Sold to T C Spink, Hull. 1909 Sold to Woodman Hill, Hampstead, London. 1911 Sold to Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, Liverpool. 1923 Sold to John Davies, Cardiff. 1931 Sold to J Davies Towage & Salvage Co Ltd, Cardiff. 1947 Scrapped by J J King following sinking in West Dock, Cardiff.
------------------------------
SIR ROBERT HAWKES 1835
Built 1835 at Gateshead. Wooden paddle tug. L76’4”. B15’2”. D5’6”. 80grt. 40hp Grasshopper engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. Tubular boiler. Bunkers 7 tons. Speed 7 knots. ON4377 Callsign JCGS
1835 Delivered to unknown owner at London. 1837 Owners Symington Patent Paddle Towing Co., London. 1838 Contracted to Yarmouth Mackerel Company towing mackerel cutters from Great Yarmouth to Billingsgate Market, London. 1839 Owners Shipowners Towing Co., London. 30-12-1845 Sank in Sea Reach following collision with collier The Campbells. Salved. 1857 Owner J Walker et al, London. no further trace.
--------------------------
SIR WALTER SCOTT 1852
Built 1852 by R & H Green, Blackwall Yard London. YN297. L107.4. B18.9'. D10.2'. 115grt. 70nhp. ON4372 CallsignJCGM
1852 Delivered to Caledonian Steam Towing Co., London. 1864 Still owned by CST. 1880 [by] Owner G. Spicer, Gravesend, renamed Fearless.
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SIR WILLIAM WALLACE 1841
Built 1841 by Stephen Wood, South Shore, Gateshead. Wood paddle tug. L98.1’. B17.9’. D10’. 128grt. 47nrt. 100hp 2x2cyl steam engines by Hawkes Stanley and Co. Paddle wheels 15’ dia. 24 floats 12 inner and 12 outer. ON6198. Callsign JMTD
1842 Delivered to Caledonian Steam Towing Co., 11 Milk Yard, Shadwell, London. 1868 Scrapped
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SOUTER JOHNNY 1836
Built 1836 at Gateshead. Wood Paddle Tug. L 82.7'. B15.8'. D9.4'. 87grt. 40nhp Grasshopper steam engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. . Official No 6168 Callsign JMRD
14-8-1836 Delivered to Thomas Petley, London. Under Captain Walker. 1841 Under Captain Tucker. 25-7-1844 Sold to Caledonian Steam Towing Co., London. 1864 Sold to W Bridges, London. 18-12-1865 Offered for sale by W. Bridges, Belgrave St., Commercial Rd, London. 1867 Sold to D. Stone & G. Williamson, London. 187? Sold to Hugh Andrews, Belfast. 1879 Sank.
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STEFANO 1872
Built 1872 by D J Stewart, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L96.7'. B18.9'. D9.8'. 111grt. 40nhp steam engine. ON65430.
1872 Delivered to P A Ralli, London. No further trace.
-----------------------------------
SUCCESS 1863
Built 1863 by T Hepple and Son, Low Walker, Tyneside. Iron paddle tug. L91’. B17.9’. D9.2’. 94grt. L2cy 50nhp 2cyl sidelever steam engine by builder. ON48507
1863 Delivered to John Mitchell & Joseph Martin, Gravesend. 1864 Sold to Duncan Dow, Liverpool. 18?? Sold to Bute Docks Company, Cardiff. 1881 [by] Owner Hugh Leach, Tranmere. 1896 scrapped
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SURPRISE 1852
Built 1852 at Northam.Wood Paddle tug. L120'. B18’. D9’8”. 170grt. 80hp half beam disconnecting engine by Stewart. Tubular boiler. Bunkers 40 tons. Speed 10 knots. ON17488.
1852 Delivered to Richard. D. Ross, London. [Lloyds Steam Towing Co.]. 26-8-1852 £150 awarded for towing Spanish brigantine No from Mouse Sand to London. 4-7-1854 £120 award for salvage of collision damaged and sinking vessel Silence in Woolwich reach. 1858 Owners Richard Ross and William Beare Caulfield, Coldharbour, Blackwall. 1881 [by] Owner Richard Grech, Malta.
---------------------------------
SUSANNA 1832
Built 1832 at South Shields. Wood paddle tug. L55.8'. B12.7'. D6'. 41grt. 15nhp steam engine by H S Waite, North Shields. ON6145.
1832 Delivered to unknown London owner. 13-7-1842 Owner W Creed, London. 24-12-1852 Owner W Gregory, London. 1855 Owners East India Dock Company, London. No further trace.
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SUSSEX 1872
Photog unknown.
Built 1872 by Readhead, Softley & Co., S. Shields. Iron Paddle Tug. L114.9'. B19.6'. D10'. 144grt. 60nhp SL2Cyl 30"x54" by J P Rennoldson, South Shields. ON65715.
7-1872 Delivered to George Haslip et al, London. 5/9-1-1875 £350 award for assisting salvage of Lord Strathnairn, aground Goodwin sands.1887 Sold to R H Holland, London. 30-4-1879 Collided with barque Mary in Sea Reach. 1888 Sold to Gray & Co., Hull. 1890 Renamed Welshman. 19-11-1892 Sold to Ardrossan Harbour Co., renamed The Earl. 1914 Sold to J Wilson, Boness. 1919 Sold to Leith Towage & Salvage Co., Leith. 1928 Scrapped.
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TACTFUL 1909
Built 1909 by J Fullerton and Co., Paisley. YN212 Steel screw tug. L75.2’. B18.6’. D8.9’. 112grt. 46nhp 400ihp 2cyl 14”x28”x24”s compound steam engine by Ross and Duncan, Glasgow. ON126716. Callsign MJZR.
7-10-1909 Launched for Maritime Dredging and Construction Co., St Johns NB, Canada, named Lord Beresford. 1917 Purchased by war office renamed HS71. 1919 Transferred to Admiralty, renamed Lord Beresford. 1920 Sold to W. Shelcott and Sons, London. 1920 Sold to Charles Etheredge, London, renamed Tactful. 1927 Sold to Great Yarmouth Steam Tug Co, Gt. Yarmouth. 11-11-1931 Towed SS Oakwood into Gt, Yarmouth. 1938 Sold to W J Reynolds, Torpoint, Plymouth. 1964 Scrapped at Sutton Pool, Plymouth.
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TAM O'SHANTER 1834
Built 1834 at Gateshead. Wood Paddle tug. L76'. B15.5'. D9'. 94grt 35hp 1cyl Grasshopper type steam engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. ON6167 Callsign JMRC
1834 Delivered to unknown owner. 14-8-1836 Under Captain Reid towed ship from London Dock to Gravesend in 4.5 hours. 5-6-1837 Port paddle destroyed after steamer Eagle collided with tug off Wesr India Dock entrance. 26-7-1844 Owners Caledonian Steam Towing Co., London. 1862 Owners Steam Towing Co., London. 1864 Owner T B Jones, London. 3-7-1878 Ashore at Marsden may not get off. [Newcastle owned]
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TELEGRAPH 1859
Built 1859 at South Shields. Iron paddle tug. L82'. B17.1'. D8.3'. 74grt. 32nhp steam engine. ON28383.
1859 Delivered to T. Sandford et al, Gravesend. 1870 Sold to Thomas James Williams, London. 1882 [by] Owner G. Butchard, Gravesend.
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THAMES 1834
Built 1834 at Gateshead. Wood paddle tug. L64.6'. B12.8'. D7.6'. 56grt. 30nhp Grasshopper steam engine by W Hawks, Gateshead. ON6167.
1834 Delivered to unknown owner. 21-3-1838 Sold to Thames Steam Towing Company, London. 6-1838 Under Captain Burton. No further trace.
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THOMAS PETLEY 1846
Built 1846 by R Banks, North Shields. Wood Paddle tug. L89.2'. B17.8'. D10'. 98grt. 80hp Grasshopper steam engine by H S Waite, North Shields. ON4254 Callsign JBRN
1846 Delivered to unknown owners. 19-6-1847 Sold to Thomas Petley, t/as United Steam Towing Company, London. 9-5-1853 Towed Steamer Batavier with broken mainshaft from off North Foreland to Holland for £175.1867 Sold to James Martin, London. 1871 Sold to Richard Deveraux, Wexford. 1874 Owner John Thomas Deveraux, Wexford. 1881 [by] Owner John Goodfellow, Dublin.
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TRANSIT 1864
Built 1864 by T Hepple and Son, Newcastle. Iron paddle tug. L99.5'. B18'. D7.8'. 82grt. 92nhp steam engine by R and W Hawthorne, Newcastle. ON50024.
1864 Delivered to Isle of Wight Ferry Company, London. 1865 Sold to Charles Lambert, London. No further trace.
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TRINITY 1844
Built 1844 by James Dowey, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L85.2'. B16.7'. D10.4'. 102grt. 50nhp Grasshopper type steam engine by H S Waite, North Shields. ON4257.
27-6-1844 Delivered to Thomas Petley & others, London. 5-6-1846 Caught fire and sank off Cuckolds Point, River Thames. salved and returned to service. 10-8-1846 Re-registered at London to Thomas Petley et al t/as United Steam Towing Company. 7-1870 Abandoned to the St Katharine's Dock Co, then sold to be broken up.
----------------------------------------
TRIUMPH 1856
Built 1856 at Rotherhithe. Wood paddle tug. L89.8’. B16.9'. D9'. . 81grt. 80nhp. ON8293 Callsign KBNT
1856 Completed for William Caulfield and Louis Miles, London. 1862 Sold to R. D. Ross and another, London. 1864 Sold to William & Thomas Jolliffe, Liverpool. 1881 [by] Owner John Jolliffe, Liverpool. 1885 Scrapped
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TRIUMPH 1875
Built 1875 by G. Butchard, Milton Ironworks, Gravesend. iron paddle tug. L82'. B16.6'. D8.9'. 76grt. 45nhp 2cyl 22.5"x45" side lever steam engine by builder. ON70726.
1875 Delivered to J. Williams, Gravesend. 1882 Owner Thomass J Williams, Whitehall Place, Gravesend. 1889 Owned at Plymouth. 1900 Owner G. Petrie, Middlesborough. 1-1911 Owners Watkins, Petrie, Middlesborough. 1-1913 owners Tees Tug Co., Middlesborough. 30-7-1920 Owners Tees Towing Co., Middlesborough. 21-6-1923 Sold to S E Simpson Ltd., Newcastle for £325. 31-3-1926 Scrapped.
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TRUE BRITON 1852
Built 1852 by Henry Fletcher, Son and Fearnell, Union Dock, Poplar. Wood Paddle Tug. L80.7'. B17.1'. D9.3'. 80grt. 120nhp. 2cyl side lever steam engine. ON4282 Callsign JRTL
1852 Delivered to Thomas Petley and 29 others, London. 1859 Owner United Steam Towing Co., London. 24-7-1860 Summonsed at Greenwich for creating excessive smoke. 1867 Sold to William Sandford, Gravesend. 1873 Sold to John Sommers James, Plymouth. 1876 Sold to Thomas and John Gray, George Ford and William Tulley, Hull. 1882 Catherine Precious became part-owner. 1883 Thomas Gray died and owners became William Tulley and Thomas Newton. 1888 Sold to T Gray and Company, Hull. [Mrs E Tulley]. 1896 Scrapped.
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ULYSSES 1874
Built 1874 by John Readhead and co., South Shields. YN103. Iron paddle tug. L100.6'. B18'. D9.4'. 118grt. 450ihp 2cyl 26.5"x48" side lever engine by builder. Official No. 70605. Scrapped 1937
1874 Completed for T.A.F. Banks, Charles Brownfield et al, Gravesend. 1879 Sold to C. Brownfield et al, Gravesend. 14-12-1884 Landed six survivors of the schooner Hjelmen at Margate. 1885 Purchased by Joseph Lawson, Newcastle. 3-1895 Owners Lawson Steam Tugboat Co. Ltd. 5-1917 Hired by Royal Navy. 7-1917 Returned to owners. 6-1920 Transferred to Lawson-Batey Tugs Ltd. 6-1937 Sold £445 to Clayton and Davie, Dunston for scrapping
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UNITED 1873
Built 1873 by James Jackson, South Shields. Wooden paddle tug. L88'9". B18'3". D9'4". 87grt 10nrt. 38nhp 1cyl side lever steam engine by Wear Engine Works, Sunderland. ON68899
10-1873 Delivered to John Morgan & others at Sunderland. 5-1874 Sold to Richard McSheen, Grimsby. 1877 Sold to Richard Watmough, Grimsby. 1886 Sold to W. Cooper , Grimsby. 1892 Sold to G.E.J. Moody, Cleethorpes. 1894 Sold to Hewett & Co Ltd, London. 1897 Rebuilt. 1904 Sold to Charles T Pannell, London. 1905 Sold to Robert Wheeldon & Thomas Commander (City Towing Co), Hull. 3-1911 Sold to Sunderland Towage Co Ltd., for £250. 5-1918 Sold to France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co Ltd., Newcastle. 1919 Sold to Michael McKeown at Newcastle. 1927 Scrapped
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UNITY 1844
Built 1844 by West & Smith, Horselydown, London. Wood paddle tug. L71.6'. B15.8'. D8.2'. 56grt. 12nrt.
5-1844 Delivered to Daniel Barker & John Ibbetson Spicer, London. 1-1849 Towed collision damaged schooner Lady Rebew Dover to London. 1855 Owners Daniel Barker and John & Geoge Spicer 1857 Burnt.
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UNIVERSE 1875
Photo B Hunt colln
Built 1875 by J T Eltringham, South Shields. Iron paddle tug. L115.8'. B19.5'. D9.9'. 143grt. 85nhp Steam engine by Hepple and Co. ON73575
1875 Delivered to Mark Martin, John Mitchell et al, Gravesend. 1888 Sold to Tees Conservancy Commission, Stockton. 1913 owner Leonard Brown, South Shields. 1914 Owners Joseph Stuart and Adolph Gottschalk, Liverpool. 1917 Owner John Fletcher, Montrose. 1918 Owner James Dredging and transport Company, London. 5-3-1918 Req by Admiralty. 13-5-1919 returned to owner. 1919 Owners Neptune Marine Salvage Company, Glasgow. 4-1921 Sank on passage Larne to South Shields..
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URSA MAJOR 1856
Built 1856 by Hepple and Landells, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L90.3'. B17'. D9'. 82grt. 45nhp steam engine. ON15987.
1856 Delivered to W Reay, Portsmouth. 1864 Owner T J W Fleming, London. 1866 Owner T Charlton, Shields. No further trace.
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VANGUARD 1841
Built 1841 by Thomas Ellis, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L74'. B15.5'. D8.9'. 79grt. 34nhp lever steam engine. ON9123.
1841 Delivered to William Thompson and John Mitchell, Monkwearmouth. 1842 Owner William Turnbull, Stockton. 1843 Owners William Turnbull and Edward Richardson, Stockton. 1846 Owners William Richardson et al, Boston. 1852 Owner george Haley, Wisbech. 1854 Owner Richard Young, Walsoken. 28-11-1854 Sold to John, William and Alexander Mace and Thomas Jones, Poplar, London. 1859 Owners Mace and Brooks, London. 1863 Scrapped.
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VICTORIA DOCK 1856
Built 1856 by Marshall, South Shields. Iron paddle tug. L103.5'. B18.8'. D10.4'. 119grt. 61nrt. 70hp. ON 14741 Callsign LPJR
1856 Delivered to Sir Samuel Morton Peto, London. 1857 Owner William Smith, London. 1866 Owners St. Katherine's Dock Co., London. 1871 Owner Thomas Chandler, London. No further trace.
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VICTORY 1840
Built 1840 at South Shields. Wood paddle tug. L82.2'. B16.1'. D9'. 86grt. 75nhp steam engine by J Stewart, London. ON6199.
1840 Delivered to unknown owner at London. 23-7-1844 Sold to unknown owner at London. 184? Sold to Caledonian Steam Towing Company, London. 6-10-1858 Sank off Gravesend after being cut in two by SS Seine.
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VIGILANT 1874
Photo RGR colln
Built 1874 by John Readhead & co., S. Shields. Iron Paddle Tug. L100.3'. B18.1'. D9.4'. 115grt. 70nhp. 2cyl 26.5"x48" by builder. Official No. 70588. PR 1874 London 1894 S. Shields.
1874 Delivered to Dr. M Brownfield, Poplar. 24-3-1878 Rescued two men from a yacht which had sunk off Barking Creek. 25-8-1879 Towed barque West from Dungeness to Gravesend. 4-1-1880 Towed collision damaged SV Sarah Jane into Ramsgate. 2-1894 Owners G. Brown et Al., S. Shields. 7-1923 Owners Brown Tug Co Ltd., S. Shields. 1930 Scrapped on Tyneside.
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VIVID 1863
Built 1863 by T Hepple and Son Low Walker. Iron Paddle Tug. L89'. B17.8' D9.2'. 89grt. 50nhp 1cyl steam engine. Official No 48649. PoR 1864 London. 1880 Lynn. 1883 Irvine.
1863 Delivered to J. Walker et al, Gravesend. 15-10-1864 £450 awarded for towing collision damaged barque Gustaf from off South Foreland to London.17-10-1867 Towed barque Wanderer off Goodwin Samds. 1872 Sold to John Gillet, Gravesend. 30-1-1877 Towed sloop Little Jane, laden with petroleum, into Ramsgate after sloop had lost both anchors and chains.1880 Owner Vivid Tug Co., Kings Lynn. 1882 Owner Joseph Lawson, S. Shields. 1883 Owner Irvine Harbour Trust. 1890 Owner James Douglas, Belfast. 21-3-1892 Sank off Isle of Man.
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WANDERER 1865
Built 1865 by Hepple and Sons, Low Walker, Tyneside. Iron paddle tug. L98'. B18'. D9.2'. 101grt. 50hp. 2cyl lever steam engine. ON54593
1865 Delivered to unknown Leith owners. 1866 Sold to D S Mitchell, Gravesend. 1867 Sold to George Thomas, London. 1867 Sold to G. Butchard, Gravesend. 1879 Sold to Wolfgang Mannheimer, Mark Lane, London. 1888 Sold to Corporation of Preston for £1641. 1891 Sold to Mr James Gourlay Bridges, Leith for £775. 1898 Sold to T Gray and Company, Hull. 1902 Sold to United Towing Company Ltd., Hull. 1907 Scrapped.
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WASHINGTON 1868
Built 1868 by D J Stewart, North Shields. Wood paddle tug. L95.3'. B18.3'. D9.9'. 98grt. 52nhp steam engine ON60479.
1868 Delivered to W W Jacobs et al, North Shields. 1871 Sold to W B Greenfield, London. 1882 Owner W B Greenfield, London.
----------------------------
WASHINGTON 1870
Photographer unknown
Built 1870 by Readhead Softley & Co., S. Shields. YN 58. Iron Paddle Tug. L104.9'. B18.4'. D10.1'. 122grt. 50nhp. 2cyl 27"x46" by builder. Official No. 63655. PR 1870 London. 1879 Sunderland 1883 N. Shields.
1870 Delivered to W. G. Ives et Al, Gravesend. 1874 Sold to J. Martin, London. 1879 Transferred to Miss S. C. Martin, London. 1879 Sold to Mrs Martha Nicholson, Sunderland. 12-1883 Sold to T. A. Dry. 7-1889 Transferred to John Dry. 5-1908 Transferred to John Dry Steam Tugs Ltd. 8-1929 Transferred to Readhead & Dry's Tugs Ltd. 5-1944 Sold to France Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co. 4-1952 Scrapped J. J. King Ltd., Gateshead.
---------------------------------
WEAR 1825
Built 1825 at Sunderland. William Clark, Bishopswearmouth. Wood Paddle tug. L67.7'. B16'. D5.6'. 33nrt. 34nhp.
1832 Owners Thames Steam Towing Co.
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WELLINGTON 1857
Built 1857 by Hessell and Holmes, Rye. Wood paddle tug. L106'. B20'. 130grt 24nrt. 90nhp 2cyl lever steam engine. ON20586??
21-7-1857 Launched at Rye by Mrs Spicer for Owners Messrs Barker and Spicer, London. 30-8-1866 Aground, abandoned on Goodwin Sands. Covered by sand in two tides.
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WILLIAM GUNSTON 1837
Built 1837 at Gateshead. Wooden paddle tug. L90’. B17’. D9.2'. 100grt. 45nhp. Grasshopper engine by W. Hawks, Gateshead. ON9199
1837 Delivered to Symington Patent Paddle Towing Co., London. 1839 Owners Shipowners Towing Company, London. 1856 Owner Spicer, London. 18?? Owner J JSpicer, London. No further trace.
-----------------------------------
WILLIAM SYMINGTON
35hp
1837 Owners Symington Patent paddle Towing Co., London. 1839 Owners Shipowners Towing Co., London. 1858 Company in liquidation, no further trace.
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WONDER 1856
Built 1856 by John Thompson, Rotherhithe. Wood Paddle tug. L87.5'. B17.1'. D8.7'. 82grt. 23nrt. 36nhp 2cyl side lever steam engine. ON10160.
1856 Delivered to William J Thomas & others, London. Various unresearch owners between these dates. 1875 Sold to Paul Bonta, Milton. 1877 Renamed Enterprise. 1882 Sold to George Petrie, Middlesbrough. 1910 Owners Watkins Petrie Ltd, London. 1912 Scrapped.
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