Hello, I have been doing my family history for sometime & for years I couldn't find out what happened to my Great, Great Grandfather, Richard Anderson Adams. I was, however proud to see him recorded on your Roll Call page. This was all of particular interest to my uncle, as he and his twin brother (now deceased) worked for the PLA for most of their working lives - when he came off the water in 1984, my uncle was skipper of PLA Plangent!.
I first saw your website, earlier this year,and last week my uncle, who doesn't have a computer, visited so that I could show him what I'd found out our family, but sadly I couldn't get to your site to show him everthing, and have only just found it again today, so I'll ask Uncle Ken to pay another visit!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share what I've found out about the "early tug" Rambler ON49904, on which my GGGrandfather was a fireman on the 1881 census. This information came from the Southampton Crew List Index Project.
List for 1870 Rambler ON49904, as you've recorded owned by David S Mitchell, but this list says Gravesend. In 1880 it was Daniel S Mitchell, but it was still Gravesend, so could be just a mistake in the name. In 1890, she was still going, but the owner is recorded as Robert Mitchell, 72 Jackson Street, North Shields.
I stopped looking after that because I knew Richard Adams had died in 1882, because my Great Grandfathers birth certificate says his father was deceased.
I don't know if you are intetested in this or not, but thank you very much for recording Richard Adams in your list. He was at least the 3rd generation in his family to work on the Thames and I'm pleased he's been remembered.
Kind regards,
Jenny Robinson.
ps I KNOW that my uncle, who is now 78, is going to LOVE this site when I show him. He's got so many memories of river life and remembers so many people.
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Hi
At least 7 of my family, the Hoiles, were on the tugs, the eldest William Charles won the MBE at Dunkirk, the youngest Roger retired not long ago, even the female cousin, Jean Roberts, I spoke to this evening worked for Watkins in Mincing Lane.
Captain Charles William Hoiles MBE - awarded for bravery during Dunkirk and his wife Polly (Mary A Elliott) apparently the whole family went aboard and washing was hung out on the tug! He was Skipper on the Kenia 1940?
Charles was born 16.4.1890 and died 15.8.1967
His son Donald Hoiles (born 1.1.31) served on the Avenger.
His son William Charles Hoiles (Nob) - born 17.1.1913) was on the Gondia.
His grandson Roger (born 2.11.1947) served on the Avenger and was at Great Yarmouth with the tug.
Charles Williams brother, Albert Victor [Doon] Hoiles (born 19.5.1897 died 19.11.1974) was a tug skipper on the Vincia (I believe)
Charles William's younger brother Roland (John) Hoiles (born 6.7.1910 and died 27.7.1995) was Engineer on the ST Java and married Iris Rose Walter 18.12.1937.
Iris's elder brother was on the tugs, Maurice (Wag) Walter (born 25.9.1910, died 22.9.1993)
Iris's father Charles Robert Walter (born 10/10.1875-January 1941) He was on the tugs but I cannot find any records.
Regards
Janet Hoiles
Janet has sent in a number of pics and other info which will be appearing soon on latest news page.
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One of the very best sites just keeps getting better. Very nice job indeed, at my instance enjoyed by all my tug and pilot friends.
Many thanks . . . Doug Charles
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Hi, my father was William Wakefield (nicknamed Curly) worked for Watkins Tugs when I was a child. I have many photos of the tugs and crews and even of a day with Captain Bill Simmons when I went on board to help with painting (wouldn't be allowed today!) When I was 16 my first job was in the London Tugs Office in Mincing Lane from 1964 until Alexandra Tugs took over. I remember many of the names from your website because I used to do the payroll. I also worked for Mr William and Mr John Watkins and JR Page. I'm also in the photo of the Christmas Party at The Clarendon Hotel with my brother Brian where we were entertained by 'Danny and Splinters'!
Tugs are in my blood and I have many, many fond memories of watching and waiting at Royal Terrace Pier for my Dad to come ashore.
I can send a selection of photos, let me know.
Kind regards,
Gill Cain (nee Wakefield)
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Message posted 9-5-2013
I am the nephew of John Sutherland of Gravesend Kent who was serving on the Empire Stella when its boiler blew in 1st January 1946,I have no photos of my Uncle whom I remember as a five year old,and remember him being in hospital on the isle of Sheppey where he died.Does anyone remember him or have a photo of him.
Alan Sutherland.
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Message posted 13-3-2013
Empire John was my first ship in WW11 I was signed on at William Watkins tugs Nr liverpool str station London UK I joined my ship at Liverpool Jan 1944..First assignment tow a small vessel south through English Channel to Ipswich ( i believe ) Next tow was a captured German U Boat. I believe it had been captured by RAF Sunderland The U boat towed very badly..kept racing up alonside..( a mine was sighted and fired at missed ) This was in the North Sea..we stopped at Aberdeen Scotland to re balast the u boat..continued North and West across the top of Scotland then South..During a night off the Hebrides the 6in manilla tow rope broke..we went back next morning to find the floundering U Boat Capt asked for volunteers to go in to the water to attempt a new line..nobody did to my knowledge Oil was released to calm the choppy seas..i felt quite sick. Next the Capt backed towards the submarine..The U boat went under our stern and smashed our steering
mechanism..we were now disabled..A Canadian destroyer passed but could not assist..a RN tug arrived and towed Empire John to a West Scotland point...end of my first ship. I can show you my discharge book and record. A year later i was seriously injured on special operations in the Greek islands and mainland
My injuries were at Simi a Greek Island off the coast of Turkey
Ronald S Osborne R312582 age 16 at Jan 1944
Formerly of 50 Glenarm Rd London E5
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Message posted 9-2-2013
Hello,
This is just to say that my friends, TP Towage in Gibraltar, who have the SUN SWALE, are going to sink her off Gib as a diving wreck. This is to happen very soon.
Anyone who has an interest in seeing her, now is the time....the last time. Tommy at TP Towage is the guy to speak to - or I will pass messages on.
I am told my parts of family (based in Greenhithe) were on the river decades ago with Sun Tug. Any Morris's left around?
Richard Morris
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Message posted 20-2-2013
Good Afternoon,
I was drawn to your website upon researching on the internet. For the past year or so I have been researching my family line.
From my research my I understand certain members of my family worked at Gravesend Docks on various boats.
Namely my father Geoff Shelton 1942-1997 worked on the Brucestone during the 70's and 80's and his father (my grandfather) Robert Shelton 1899-1970 also worked on the Tugs. I believe there was another relation called ALbert Shelton that work and I believed he may have perished whilst on duty.
I would be grateful if you have any information on members of the Shelton's that may have worked on the tugs at Gravesend be it photo's or indeed any relevant information.
Any help would be great.
Regards,
Matt Shelton
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Message posted 10-2-2013
Hello,
I have just recently been directed to your site, and I am amazed at the wealth of information contained. I note with great interest that your entry in Thames at War under heading "Minesweeping from Gravesend" lists "Slogan". My Dad, "Jerry" Ernest G W Ewins was an ordinary seaman on Slogan assigned to base Badger at Harwich, from 16 Feb 1940 to 25 Oct 1940. I wonder if you can possibly point me to the possible source of any further information about Slogan and/or Gravesend minesweeping for this period? Dad remained on Slogan, 1 Jun 40 to 25 Oct 40 at Barrow in Furness base Clio, and then 26 Oct 40 to 15 Apr 43 at Liverpool base Eaglet. I remember Dad telling me that Slogan was almost sunk on three occasions, but I note from your entry that she was laid up in 1943 (which is possibly why my Dad's service on minesweepers was finished in 43, and he was placed on less arduous duties). I am extremely keen to find out anything at all about Slogan at these times and places. D
I should be delighted to hear from you, and I thank you in anticipation.
Mike Ewins
West Sussex
Can anyone assist Mike with any further details please??
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Message posted 24-1-2013
My great uncle was John May on the Persia when it blew up.
My mother has told me that the workers who dredged up the Persia from the bottom of the Thames; would not work on it once finished. As they stated that weird things happened and insisted that there were ghosts on the ship and that is why it was renamed.
My grandfather Charlie Lane was a stoker and dispatcher was well known in the docks and this story came from him.
Any information you have on John May would be greatly appreciated and that of Charlie Lane.
I am trying to compile a list of all the boats he was on.
Charlie Lane was born January 1892.
Carol Francis
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