Westsider, scuttled

I remember her very well, not the best of endings to a fine Tyne tug, sister tug to 'Northsider' , 'Ironsider' & 'Appelsider' all from the same builder Richard Dunston (Hessle) Ltd, all with the same engine but Westsider & Appelsider were 1000hp with the other two 1420hp.

Mike - Blyth

hello mnewby,i worked on westsider in the early seventies and as you say she was indeed a fine tug.however the tugs you mention only northsider and ironsider were sisters,appelsider was a sister tug to alnmouth,westsider was a one off.

There comes an end to every ship's life, normally it's razor blade time. I'd prefer to see an end like this, at least there's some purpose, rather than being recycled, lining someone's pocket with the profits!
Andy

Although all the tugs were from that fine shipbuilding firm, Richard Dunston, only Northsider and Ironsider were true sisters, Alnmouth and Appelsider were described as near sisters.
I suppose one of the biggest differences in the two was the Engines Alnmouth had a 6 cyl engine where as Appelsider had an 8 cyl unit.
I would welcome comments from 3 of SN's members Michael and Robert who were employees of Tyne-Tugs about this time and Stephen Swinhoe, all of whome were far better aquainted with the tugs than I.

Peter.

Peter,
The Westsider had a 6 cyl engine with a 1000 bhp giving a 18 ton bp,if you take a good look at Westsider you will see that she has a funnel that differs from Northsider,Ironsider,Alnmouth and Appelsider.
As said by Michael,she was a one off.

Cheers,
Steve.

Hello Gents, just for the record, Engine info:

'Westsider' had 6cy. 320x450mm x 1000hp x 18bp
'Appelsider' had 8cy. 320x 450mm x 1000hp x 18bp
'Northsider' had 8cy. 320x450mm x 1420hp x 18.5bp
'Ironsider' had 8cyx 320x 450mm x 1420hp x 18.5bp
'Alnmouth had 6cyx 121/2"x 14 1/2" x 1080bp x 16.5bp

Biggest was 'Cragsider' 6cy.380x 457mmx 3180hp x 46bp

As can be seen 'Appelsider' & 'Alnmouth' were not exactly sisters as both had differant engines in them!

Only 'Northsider' & 'Ironsider' were true sister tugs.

Hope this helps

Mike-Blyth