Tug deck fittings?

[waldenmodels]

Greetings,

I'm working on a model of the 1866 tug "Anglia". I've got two sets of not very detailed plans - one from Thomas'  "British Steam Tugs" and the other from G. Deason's "Cardboard Engineering", plus an undated photo and several newspaper engravings from her "Cleopatra" haul. What I'm missing is information on details visible in neither source, especially the anchor Windlass, bitts, companionways and other deck fittings.

I found some information on the Internet on windlasses built around the 1860's, but there are quite a few different designs. Can anyone point me to photos or drawings of a likely windlass?

Thank you!


Oliver

[waldenmodels]

Well, I've progressed somewhat... here is the current state of the stern. Like I said, there are few sources. What you see here is cobbled together from several other paddle tugs of the time. The equipment seems to have been very similar among the ships. Does anybody see anything amiss? Should the bitts be bigger? I've seen some enormous ones on "Energetic". What's the likelihood of there being a couple of large hawseholes at the stern? When were those introduced? I realize this is a reconstruction at best, but I don't want to leave out something glaringly obvious. 

Cheers,


Oliver

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Oliver,

Whilst I'm no expert on tugs, I would suggest that the bitts are a little on the small side. The towing hoops would normally have one or two supports attached to the deck on either side of the companionway. And the towhook looks far too small and is fitted too low - it needs raising to be level with the top of the hoops, although that may be an optical illusion?

Regards
Eddy

[mjt60a]

I don't know if it's any use but here's a photo of the model P T Dromedary in the science museum. I don't really know how accurate the model is but the tow hook looks quite small on this model and is somewhat lower than the centre of the 'hoops'...

[mjt60a]

...and at the forward end (see attached) I very much doubt the anchors would be stowed on the sponsons like that, more likely the chain would be wound in and the anchor lifted on board using the davit, and left on the deck right below it.

[Eddy Matthews]

I don't know if it's any use but here's a photo of the model P T Dromedary in the science museum. I don't really know how accurate the model is but the tow hook looks quite small on this model and is somewhat lower than the centre of the 'hoops'...

I think it's blatantly incorrect Mick - The towrope is runneath BENEATH the towhoops, and it has stanchions fitted which would be ripped off if it ever towed anything! I'm sure there are numerous other "faults" if the picture was studied in detail...

Regards
Eddy

[mjt60a]

I did wonder about the stanchions! gave it the benefit of the doubt as I've heard of tugs being used for passenger cruises, maybe the stanchions slot into brackets of some sort, only used when not towing.... but that ventilator right in the way of the tow hook... 

[djcf]

Hi all,
Dont know much about tug towing gear, but I have seen a picture in the book "Paddle Steamers" by Richard Clammer" showing the large paddle tug "Energetic" fitting out and she had rails on the after deck so they must be removeable. they certainly look temporary.

Clark

[Stuart Badger]

Hi all
just some comments about the discussion so far! Towing hooks are generally ALWAYS placed below the towing hoops and more often than not below side rail/bulwark level. The hooks were designed to angle up when under load so that the tow rope exerted a downward force on the towing hoops - which were always braced. Most tugs fitted with ventilators, stanchions or stove chimneys in line with a towing cable had these items designed to be hinged or removed during a tow.

The towing hook had to be easily accessible AT DECK LEVEL for ease of working and safety.

The towing cable does not 'pull' as such - its weight is what provides the moving force to the towed vessel, often a bundle of chain was added to the towing cable to provide more impetus. Using the weight of the towing cable also alows a degree of shock absorbtion when towing.

I agree that the bits on the 'Anglia' do look a little small and I would think that she had 'Samson posts' on either side forward of the forward towing hoop. These were designed as a strong point and a way of preventing the towing cable moving too far abeam and capsizing the tug.

Just some thoughts

Stuart Badger

[Walter Snowdon]

While I agree with what Stewart has said, the majority of paddle tugs did their work in rivers and estuaries, towing ships with a short "spring" cable. I remember watching many of them in my youth on the Tyne and Wear rivers and a lot of the time the cables were at an up angle of 30- 40 degrees!, with the tug never more than three lengths before or behind the ship they were handling. The use of long weighted cables was for deep sea towage. regards, walter.

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks for the clarification Walter!

I should have been more specific. The William Watkins tug 'Anglia' was classified as an ocean going tug and my comments were mainly concerned with vessels of her type. With less 'arduous' towing conditions on esturies and rivers and the need to occupy a lot less space and have more control you are quite correct - the tow was relatively short. By the way, do you know of any other info on the Anglia apart from what's in the P N Thomas book and the 2 magazine articles in the download section of Paddleducks? I have this yearning to build a really old multi-funneled tug!

All the best

Stuart Badger

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Stuart. In (I think the 1960s or early 70s) MODEL BOATS did a long series called Towage on the Thames which featured Anglia with a scale drawing and several other early paddle tugs, all with almost A4 size plans. Regards, Walter.

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Stuart. In (I think the 1960s or early 70s) MODEL BOATS did a long series called Towage on the Thames which featured Anglia with a scale drawing and several other early paddle tugs, all with almost A4 size plans. Regards, Walter.

Are you thinking of the Model Maker article in Mrch 1960 Walter?

If so, it's in our downloads section at: http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/index.php?ind=downloads&op=section_view&idev=156

Eddy

[Walter Snowdon]

Yes, thats the one eddy.In the same series Arthur Pollard did several other Thames paddle tugs all to1/16th scale.

PT MONARCH 1833-1876, February 1960 Model Boats
PT RENOWN 1863-1903   March 1960
PT UNCLE SAM 1849-1900 May 1961

G H DEASON published aq plan and article for a sidewheeler tug he called CUMBRIA but which was based very closely on the PT CAMBRIA in MODEL MAKER April 1957.
All the above should be in the downloads section as I remember passing them to Eddy for that purpose.

In one of the AIFIX ANNUALS there was a good article on coverting the Airfix Great Western into  one of Watkins early paddle tugs.
Hope this helps, Walter.
.

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks guys - I think I have that info already. Trouble is I'm not 'convinced' by the drawings - still, I suppose it's a bit much to expect a complete and detailed set of plans after about 150 years!
I think I'll hit the drawing board and see if I can come up with something convincing based on all this info - I have to say I've been inspired by Waldenmodels efforts!

Thanks
Stuart