William Watkins Empire tug Napia arrives at Gravesend Royal Terrace Pier in 1959 after its work on a departing Louis Dreyfus ship. Like all warbuilt designs she bore a special affection and in my youth I would have designated her the ultimate in tug good looks. Looking back I still think these vesse
In amongst my dad's pics was a small print of the Empire tug Napia at Gravesend Royal Terrace Pier in 1947. It is interesting because I had not realised that she arrived on the Thames without a weather bridge. Given Watkins apparent dislike of such things I wonder what the story was. Perhaps it was
Watkins Napia had a good record on The Thames and was often used on prestige jobs. Built 1943 by Goole Shipbuilding & Engineering Co she was 261 gr tons finishing her career in Greece.