Last paddle tug used by the Admiralty in Portsmouth, withdrawn from service in 1981 to be replaced by RMAS Adept (TUTT - twin unit tractor tug). A Director class paddle tug built to work alongside Aircraft carriers, they were diesel/electric and had independent paddles.
Built 1957 by Yarrow at Scotstoun and delivered to Portsmouth.
10.11.81 transferred to DNAW as a missile target at Aberporth Range.
I remember these tugs at Portsmouth especially during Navy Days but I honestly thought that they were older than they were. Although they were very powerfull it's rather strange to think that they were still building "paddle" tugs for the Admiralty as late as 1957.
They where built low and powerful to get under overhangs on aircraft carriers. My first rope splice (assisting) was to put a new hard eye into the large towing rope.1965ish
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