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Hull Tugs

12K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  kathmike 
#1 ·
Hello everyone , can anybody help me ? I am looking for a photo of a Hull tug called " MERCHANTMAN" . I know of its existance in the 1950s , but I would really like a photo of her .
Many thanks..............John
 
#4 ·
Greetings, John.

Merchantman:
Built 1945 by Clelands Ltd., Wallsend
1945-46: Ministry of War Transport Empire Bess
1946: Bought by United Towing
1962: Slod to Soc.Arm. Napolitani, Naples as Tarentum
1981: Scrapped.

Is this the one?
The information is taken from "United Towing 1920-1990" compiled by Alan Ford.
There is a very small photograph in the book but it's probably subject to copyright so I can't post it on here. If you send me an email I'll scan it and send you a copy.

Cheers
Kris/
 
#8 ·
Photo: http://www.tugtalk.co.uk/images/2003/01/10722.jpg

UK Navy Empire tug, Modified Englishman/Larch-class
Registered: LR47-48:10728 /LR50-51:68991 /LR56-57:69987 /LR60-61:71766
IMO 5352769 /(GBR)ON 169199 /(ITA)ON 915
593 GRT, 67 NRT, L43,64m(41,15), B10,09m, D4,566m(4,88)
(143.2'(137.1')x33.1'x15.1' or 143'2"(135'0")x33'1"x14'11.3/4"(16'0"))
1 scr, T3cyl by "George Clark (1938) Ltd" at Sunderland, oil fired, 223nhp-1275ihp

EMPIRE BESS
1945 -25/04: Launched by "Clelands (Successors) Ltd" at Wallsend (GBR) (YN 74)
1945 -26/07: completed for the UK MOT, mng "United Towing Co Ltd" at Hull (GBR)
1946 -08/05: Sold to "United Towing Co" at Hull (GBR) for £36,250, renamed MERCHANTMAN (Capt. W.V. Hopper-1951)
(GBR flag, regd Hull, ON 169199, c/s GFCW)
1962: To "Societa Rimorchiatori Napoletani" (ITA), renamed TARENTUM
(ITA flag, regd Naples, ON 915, c/s IMCA, 568 GRT,160 NRT)
1982: for demolition to "Palermo Salvatore e Cia" at Napoli (ITA)
1982 -28/05: breaking up commenced

Source: the TugsList - enter at http://users.skynet.be/sky42086/
 
#9 ·
hull tugs

have built a model from original cochrain drawings of presto sister formaly empire sarah picture present in the hull maritime museum owned originly by ellermans nicnamed the parrot line sold to united towing and scrapped by them have stood on the bridge of salvageman when she was in hull she was big have a list somewhere of all the empire tugs wil try to find it cheers mike hull(K)
 
#10 ·
have built a model from original cochrain drawings of presto sister formaly empire sarah picture present in the hull maritime museum owned originly by ellermans nicnamed the parrot line sold to united towing and scrapped by them have stood on the bridge of salvageman when she was in hull she was big have a list somewhere of all the empire tugs wil try to find it cheers mike hull(K)
PRESTO/EMPIRE SARA was of a different one of the eleven classes of Empire Tug being somewhat smaller.
You are correct that Ellerman's Wilson Line sold her to United Towing in 1968 along with their other tug FORTO. Both were scrapped within a short period.

Will e-mail you some info.

Bill
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Looking for flatty Thomsons TUG /FORTO

FORTO/PRESTO
Hi there, I am the grandson of Ernie Thompson (flatty) and would love to make my mothers wish of owning a photo of the tug which my grandfather worked on come true, apparently he was the skipper of her. His was FORTO which as far as I know was the sister tug of PRESTO / any info or help would be much appriciated, please send me a private message
 
#12 ·
FORTO/PRESTO
Hi there, I am the grandson of Ernie Thompson (flatty) and would love to make my mothers wish of owning a photo of the tug which my grandfather worked on come true, apparently he was the skipper of her. His was FORTO which as far as I know was the sister tug of PRESTO / any info or help would be much appriciated, please send me a private message
PRESTO
O.N. 169307. 274g. 111'8" x 26'7" x 12'4½"
T.3-cyl. (15", 25" & 42" x 27") engine made by Amos & Smith Ltd., Hull. 850 IHP.
6.5.1943: Launched as EMPIRE SARA by Cochrane & Sons Ltd., Selby (Yard No. 1267) for the Ministry of War Transport. 10.8.1943: Completed, France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Company Ltd., Newcastle, managers. 14.9.1944: The Alexandra Towing Company Ltd., Liverpool, appointed managers. 22.5.1946: Sold for £22,500 to Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd., Hull, and renamed PRESTO. 13.3.1968: Purchased by the United Towing Company Ltd., Hull. After a short period of use, was laid up for disposal, wearing the United Towing Company Ltd's, funnel with Ellerman’s green hull. 15.6.1968: Arrived at Blyth for demolition by Hughes Bolckow Ltd.



FORTO
O.N. 167047. 180g. 4n 107'8" x 25'8" x 11.2 feet.
T.3-cyl. (15”, 24” & 40” x 27”) engine made by Amos & Smith Ltd., Hull. 106 NHP. 650 IHP.
1.1939: Completed by Cook, Welton & Gemmell Ltd., Beverley (Yard No. 649) for Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd., Hull. 13.3.1968: Purchased by the United Towing Company Ltd., Hull. After a short period of use, was laid up for disposal, wearing the United Towing Company Ltd's, funnel, and Ellermans green hull. 15.6.1968: Arrived at Blyth for demolition by Hughes Bolckow Ltd.
 
#20 · (Edited)
presto



I have a coloured picture of presto and an artists impression of photo and presto towing a merchant vessell into Hull the photo I will copy if it is any use to you I have several b.w pictures I have also built a model of presto and am currently refurbishing her and fitting radio control in her she is nearly 4 foot long photos can be arranged for you if you would wish Email me on Kathmike@kathmike.karoo.co.uk] sorry for the long time in replying to your thread but life has been busy I also know a gentleman who sailed on presto and may have known your grandad he searched a long time for the bell of presto but could not find it . all the best Mike.
 
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