"Strongbow". Info request

[casspir]

Hello all,
Having obtained a set of plans for 'Strongbow', (also note they are in the download area) I was hoping someone may have any info on this vessel, I've done multiple searches via the web and have drawn a complete blank.
Although the plans show the colours of John Hardie & Co Glasgow, having checked Fleetlistings this vessel doe's not show on their list.
So is this a "generic" type plan/vessel or did this vessel actually exist.
As this is going to be my first foray into the mystical world of paddle steamers I would like to be accurate in it's depiction.

Many thanks in advance for any/all assistance.

Regards
Roger.

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Roger I have had the same problems as you! After many searches i have been ubable to come up with a paddle tug of that name. I feel that whoevever drew up the plan MUST have based it on an existing paddler as there is so much detail which apeers accurate. It looks like a typical River Tyne built tug and will be a lovely model. Have a look in STEAM TUGS A COLOUR PORTFOLIO BY DAVID L WILLIAMS. There are  super colour photos of several Tyne and Wear paddle  tugs, but I think EPPLETON HALL fits the plan rather nicely. Just out of interest The paper model company SChREIBER also do a card model (full hull) of an identical tug also named STRONGBOW! Best of luck, walter.

[casspir]

Thanks Walter,
Your view regarding the 'Strongbow' being based on an actual paddle tug confirms my suspicion's, having come across a few photos of Clyde based tugs that look quite similiar.
Now its time to narrow down the list of suspects and choose one to base the model on. One likely contender at this time is the "George Brown".
Much appreciated.
Roger.

[PJ]

See if you can get hold of Phil Thomas' classic,  "British Steam Tugs". (ISBN 0905184076).  It has some very  good drawings of paddle tugs and you might get some ideas.  I've built a  number of hulls from the drawings in it.  It's not a  cheap book (35-65 US$) but a must for any serious paddler enthusiast  and it sometimes comes up at a reasonable price on Ebay. 
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  ----- Original Message -----
   From:    casspir (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   To: research@paddleducks.co.uk (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:21    PM
   Subject: RE: "Strongbow". Info    request
   

   
Thanks Walter,
Your view regarding the 'Strongbow'    being based on an actual paddle tug confirms my suspicion's, having come    across a few photos of Clyde based tugs that look quite similiar.
Now its    time to narrow down the list of suspects and choose one to base the model on.    One likely contender at this time is the "George Brown".
Much    appreciated.
Roger.



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[Walter Snowdon]

Hi folks, British Steam tugs has recently been reprinted and sells for £24.95 new ( pounds Sterling) and is a must. I bought my second copy this year as the first fell to pieces after many years of overuse!. walter.

[oldie]

Walter, before I lash out with the lolly, does the book cover paddle tugs?  Thanks, Oldie.   PS.   Will soon have some photos of the IONA to show.

[Bob Golder]

Hi All.  Just recovering from the paddler day, phewww!!!

Phil Thomas's book does contain a colour drawing of the 'George Brown'.  Incidentally, she was the Irvine harbour tug and, as a youngster and the nephew of a relative of an Irvine Harbour Pilot, I had a short ride on her just before she was replaced by the 'Garnock'.  I thought of building a model of her and tried to obtain a copy of her shipyard drawings.  Unfortunately the 'boss' of the Irvine branch of the Scottish Maritime museum informed me that the drawings had been lost. Such is Life!

[Walter Snowdon]

Hello again. the book is well worth having- there are three full chapters just concerning paddle tugs with numerous photographs an colour profiles plus by my reckoning some 18-20 paddle tug plans, modt with sections and lines. THIS BOOK IS AMUST if you are looking for paddle tugs plans. Regards, walter.

[oldie]

Walter, Have today received my copy of `British Steam Tugs`.   It is a superb book and I found a line drawing of IONA plus a lot of historical info.   There are also other plan- type drawings which provide a wealth of detail.   I too would reccomend it to any tug enthusiast.

[greateastern]

I remebered seeing the question about Strongbow and recently I was revisiting some old issues of Model Shipwright and came upon a picture of a model shown at the Model Engineer Exhibition in 1973, built by  R.W. Page. since it's b/w photo, all I can say of color is black funnel, white band, top of paddleboxes white, ships boat white and Strongbow Glasgow on stern. The plans  currently available are from 1988 and 1990  and drawn up by a German and I don't think the Schreiber card model is any older than the plans , and this model clearly predates those plans.
  Just a bit of info to help confuse the issue. The model won a silver medal btw.

[shankshere]

Hi together,
the "Strongbow" is - funny enaugh - the reason, why I became interested in this pages.
I recently was very lucky to purchase a model of her - brilliantly build.
So far I have no own pictures, just the sellers ones, and I will post some of them in the gallery.
About the "Strongbow" - I could not find anything either but I can - being german - tell a little bit about the german drawing. This was published in a ship modelers magazine called "Modell-Werft" in the late eighties.
I guess, it was a "redrawn" plan from Mr. Underhill. So - the ship became somehow the prototype of a british paddle tug in germany and was build by some people - later on published in the "Modell-Werft".
Such as my model, I think.
My model is very strange painted and I will try to change this.
But still I wonder, which british paddle tug is closest to the "Strongbow".
Btw. - a online translator translates the "Strongbow" as a cheap apple cidre - having become a synonym for a cheap fusel. I love these british ship names....
However, if somebody should be able to find out, which tug the "Strongbow" really was, I would be glad.
What funnelmark shall I give her - and - I would love to see pictures from that Modelshipwright...

Best regards from Germany

Burkhard

[John S]

Having just joined Paddleducks and being interested in building a version of Strongbow, well more or less following the drawings I found the following information that may be of help.
 
SS STRONGBOW steam tugboat
ss STRONGBOW built by Scotts Bowling,
Yard No 307
Engines by Aitchison Blair and Co.
Last Name: LOWGARTH
Previous Names: WELSH ROSE
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Propulsion: Steam 2 cyl compound exp
Launched: Tuesday, 03/05/1927
Built: 1927
Ship Type: Tug
Tonnage: 197 grt
Length: 107 feet
Breadth: 24 feet
Draught: 12 feet
Owner History:
Steel & Bennie Ltd Glasgow W. J. Guy and Sons, (I. C. Guy, manager), Cardiff R. & J. H. Rea Ltd., London
Sadly no further information but maybe someone can follow up these detaiols.
John.