RMAS website update

[Paulrjordan]

I just got an update from our friends at the RMAS Association in
Devonport UK..and they've done it again !

They've just updated their excellent Website with a nice photo and
text tribute to one of the prettiest Royal Navy Paddle Tugs ever
built. "PERT"
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RMAS wrote:
The web site has been updated with the following items:

The "Picture Archive" Page has a HM Tug PERT special
The "Sea Stories" Page has an article on the retirement of
PERT
Membership news etc

Don't forget the 2002 calendar is now available @ £3.99 (plus p&p),
numbers are strictly limited so get your order in soon.

Brian Westmore Tech SP, AIIRSM
Vice Chairman
RMAS Association Devonport
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These folks are really into remembering their side paddle tugs (you
will recall they did a photospread on the "Directors" admittedly with
a little prodding from yours truly). You may be interested to know
that Bill Wilkinson of the Southport (UK) Club built an ENORMOUS model
of "Pert" which the operator actually sits in!! Photo is in our files
area!!

I also recommend a book called "50 Years of Naval Tugs" which shows
most of the Royal Navy/RMAS paddlers. I saw about six copies of the
book available on the net a few months, so thought..I can
wait....well, it's no longer listed anywhere..hmmm maybe you
Paddleducks bought up all the copies!!

I'm hoping to visit the RMAS Assoc folks during my UK visit to get
more info on the 'Directors" and to see if we can FINALLY get some
closure on the last days of "Forceful". (remember the last Naval
sidewheel paddle tug in the world which some say "mysteriously"
disappeared prior to scrapping.) It's even been suggested she
languishes somewhere in the depths of a scrapyard in Kent!!

I am also sending the RMAS Assoc. people a photo of Eddy's (Matthews)
lovely Director Class paddle tug "Forceful."

Here's the RMAS Website

http://www.sd-dev.demon.co.uk/

Go take a look..you'll enjoy it.

PJ