The water boat ABERCRAIG in Tyne Dock on 17/4/1988 when owned by Tyne Water Boats. She was built as MOB 9 (‘Millitary Oil Barge’) in 1945 by the Shipbuilding Corp., Tyne Branch, Walker.
For full details and more photos see the Tynebuiltships website at

http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/M-Ships/mob91945.html

She was never easy to Photograph, Mike. She was hidden away from the Public and I think the only time I had a good opportunity was when we managed a trip on the Harbour Master's Launch.
At some point, perhaps when she went to Dundee, she must have been converted into a Bouy Lifting Vessel.

Nice quote from the Everard book on the MOB's. One was supplying bunkers to the QUEEN MARY and the skipper was asked to increase the pumping rate as the ship was consuming fuel faster than the Barge could supply it.

Everards had four. APEXITY and ATTUNITY (Bought 1952) and TANKITY and TOTALITY (Bought 1956).

Just came across this photo whilst looking for something else.

Looks as though she may have been under steam.

Half hidden on 11/08/2002

See........

viewtopic.php?f=129&t=18312&p=39952#p39952

Alongside the Frigate BERGEN.

ABERCRAIG with HARCUSS alongside 27.03.98

ABERCRAIG from a negative in my collection received by exchange with Ron Mew of New Zealand but taken, I think, by another photographer in Malta:
Having posted this but then clooking more closely at the various photos on Dave's Tynebuilt site, I feel this is probably an earlier ABERCRAIG, which was owned in Malta!
ABERCRAIG (5001152), 445gt, completed Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley, 10-1939
1939 ABERCRAIG - 1980 DE PAOLA - made into a barge 1986

Ron M