Hello Steve
The Keston was a Medway based tug although she did work round to the Thames in her early years. I was skipper of her in between other tugs for the last fifteen years of her life. In fact I towed her on her last trip to the breakers. Might be able to help on the crew history if I had some names and dates.
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KESTON (1940 -1979)
1940 --> Built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., Lowestoft for J. P. Knight. (Rochester)
Grt. = 41
Length. = 60' 6"
Beam. = 15' 4"
Depth. = 6' 4"
Eng. = 4 cyl. British Polar Atlas.
HP. = 300
Speed. = 8 Knots.
1969 --> Renamed KELVEDON.
1979 --> Sold for scrap, Dartford.
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Churchill
Registered: (GBR)ON 129073
70 GRT, 0 NRT, (71.3'x19.1'x9.3')
1 scr, C2cyl, 75nhp-375ihp
re-engined 1953 diesel, 480bhp-358kW
re-engined 19xx diesel, 1200bhp (German locomotive engine, never ran due to gearbox problems)
MARY BLAKE
1910: Built by "Hepple & Co Ltd" at S-Shields (GBR)
1910: delivered to "Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd" at London (GBR)
(GBR flag, regd London, ON 129073)
192x: To "R.G. Odell Ltd" at London (GBR), renamed DENTON
1939 -19/12: on UK Admiralty service: balloon barrage service until 7/1942, then naval service, mngd "Ross & Marshall Ltd"
1946 -19/08: returned to owner
1953: re-engined diesel, 480bhp-358kW, renamed CHURCHILL
1972: sold to ??
19xx: To John Sullivan at Greenland Dock (used to convert Greenland Dock into new South Dock Marina) ***
19xx: sold by John for scrap but not known if she went back into service?
2005: reported still in existence ???
*** John told she was a very strange tug because people kept having accidents on her, John Sullivan broke his ribs on her,one chap died on her and three or four others had various accidents on her.
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Recruit
(sisterships: SWIFTSTONE, RECRUIT)
Registered: (GBR)ON 184630
91 GRT, L24,38m, B5,97m, D2,93m (80.0'x19.6'x9.6')
1 scr, diesel Crossley, 670bhp-500kW
re-engined 19xx
re-engined 1996 diesel Mirlees-Blackstone type ESL, 1196bhp, bp 11t
RECRUIT
1952: Built by "Richard Dunston Ltd" at Thorne (GBR)
1952: delivered to "Cory Tank Lighterage Ltd" (Wm. Cory group) at London (GBR)
(GBR flag, regd London, ON 184630)
1983: transferred to "Cory Waste Management Ltd" at London (GBR)
1990: transferred to "Cory Environmental Ltd" at London (GBR)
1996: re-engined diesel Mirlees-Blackstone type ESL, 1196bhp
2006: still in service
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P.S. There are a couple of pictures of the Keston/Kelvedon being towed to the breakers on my web site in the J P Knight Scrapbook Album.
Riverman
http://riverman.gotdns.com/gallery