Paddle tug? Hercules 1877

[Stuart Badger]

OK here's a really long shot!

In my quest for my next project I have come across drawings for a twin (fore and aft) funelled padle tug called 'Hercules' built by Charles mitchell in 1877. Yard no is 352.

She has a very distinctive vertical boiler on the foredeck and has fore and aft rigged sails on two masts.

I can find out nothing about her in terms of owners or what her purpose was. Eddy and I think maybe the donkey engine connected to the foredeck boiler could have been for a fire or salvage pump. you can see a thumbnail of the drawing here;

http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=ImageView.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqImage=DS-VA-2-5499web.jpg

If anyone can throw any light on her or has ANY info I would be VERY grateful.

all the best

stuart

[Eddy Matthews]

One thing I didn't mention Stuart, when I was looking at the drawings for the Hercules, they showed what appeared to be the Dutch flag being flown by the vessel. So perhaps it was built for a Dutch company?

Regards
Eddy

[Walter Snowdon]

Hello Stuart and Eddy. I have checked 150 YEARS OF THE MALTESE CROSS and the only Paddle tug HERCULES on the Tyne was built 1877 and operated by Lawson Batey  for several years. She is a single funnel harbour tug . I reckon she could be Dutch.
 They loved their big recue and salvage tugs!  If you have any contacts in LEKO (Dutch tug enthusiasts group) they may be able to add light to the matter. Regards, Walter.

[scotfriend]

Hi Stuart,

i have a dutch book with the title, De Nederlandse Raderstoomvaart, on the front cover is a photo of the Hercules also on page 103 and at the end of the book are some technical information about her.

Your information about her so far are correct, build in 1877 at C. Mitchel, length over all 42,73 metre, engine an 4 cylinder oscillating compound with 900 ihp, owner Stbd. Rdij. a.h. Nieuwediep.

The description of the photo didn't help a lot because my dutch is more then poor but as far as i can read it there is another similar tug boot the Titan.

The ISBN No. of the book is ISBN 90 6013 956 9

regards Hans

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks Walter and Eddy.
And HANS!!!! what can I say? I have spent 14 hours on-line so far and haven't even come close to finding her. Is there any way that you could have the pictures scanned or copied and emailed to me/ I would of course pay for any expense. The chances of getting that book where I am are probably non-existant!

All the best

Stuart

[Stuart Badger]

I have been in touch with a Dutch friend who is going to bring me a copy of the book!

Thanks all for the information.

All the best

stuart

[scotfriend]

Hi Stuart,

i had now a little look around my small plan collection but unfortunately there isn't a plan of the Hercules, what i have found is a plan of an tug called WOTAN build in 1883 at L.Smit&Zn. shipyard, length 40.13 metre. I have bought this plan with some other paddler plans from the Nederlandse Vereniging van Modelbouwers, you can find they on the web at www.modelbouwers.nl

regards Hans

[Stuart Badger]

That's a great link - thank you!

Stuart

[neil howard-pritchard]

Stuart...try this charitable trust........they have litterally 50000 sets of plans inc. ships dating back as far as ship building was around......they may be able to help you'
good luck. neil.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/businesses/ballasttrust/

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks Neil!

All the best

Stuart

[waldenmodels]

Glad to see you're on a new venture, Stuart! My emails to you are still not going through. Did you get my pm?

Cheers,

Oliver