Sidewheel tugs - A British scandal

[Paulrjordan]

Take a look at this picture of one of the TWO surviving (floating)
British sidewheel tugs taken in 1988.

Of all the hundreds (maybe thousands) which once existed only three
can be presently accounted for:
"Eppleton Hall" - 'captured' by the Americans!!!
"Reliant" sadly "dismembered" by Greenwhich in favour of turning her
body parts into a "static attraction".
"John H Amos" languishing outside the Chatham Naval Dockyard.
http://website.lineone.net/~paddlesteamers/John%20H%20Amos.htm

Does anyone know of any others? Does anyone have up to date
information on the plight of "John H Amos" which could well be the
last surviving British paddle tug in the world outside the US? (and
you don't think this is scandalous?)

Modelling note: I have seen some photos showing quite effective
models of both "Reliant" and "John H Amos" using the Graupner
"Glasgow" kit. I believe that Metcalf Mouldings (or is it Kingston
Mouldings?) actually do make a nice "Reliant" fibreglass hull.
You can get more info in our bookmarks section.

Talking of (incredible)sidewheel tug models..does anyone in the UK
know Bill Wilkinson or how to contact him?

PJ

[Alistair Deayton]

There are no others. The vast majority of Britsh tugs over the past 100
years or more were screw tugs.

Does anyone have up to date
> information on the plight of "John H Amos" which could well be the
> last surviving British paddle tug in the world outside the US?

John H Amos is still languishing at Chatham Dockyard.
Sad, but we British prefer to preserve a steamer that the public can sail
on, such as WAVERLEY and KINGSWEAR CASTLE.

Alistair Deayton