JOHN H. AMOS: 202gt; completed by Bow, McLachlan - Paisley in 2.1931 for Tees Conservancy Commissioners; 1.1.1967 ownership passed to Tees and Hartlepools Port Authority; c1968 donated to Middlesbrough Borough Council/Museum Service for preservation; thereafter laid up at Stockton Quay; 3.1976 renamed HERO and towed from Tees to Medway; by 1981 reverted to former name. Intended for continuing preservation. Included in register of historic ships.

While down in Gravesend last year I went along to Chatham hoping to catch a glimpse of our old paddler. Having passed Chatham Docks and entered the adjacent Gillingham haven I had given up and merely photographed some of the local tugs in sight.
One of them was the former Mersey tug ALEXANDRA which had held that name since built in 1963.


It was only when reviewing my photos upon my return to Middlesbrough that I said to myself - hold on, there, what's that in the background? It was then I realised I had seen the relic of the old AMOS .... without realising it!!


I will try to make sure I pay a bit more attention next time I'm there!!!

Ron

Recent photo? Shame if nothing has been done for her, after all the trouble taken to rescue her onto the pontoon.

At Stockton waiting to be towed to the Medway by the CERVIA 02.03.76 and on her way 04.03.76

Should the AMOS have been included in: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/21634967 ?

Ron

In better times on the Tees - outward for the spoil ground with a barge and later in Smith's drydock after being withdrawn from service.

Two Albert Weller slides, one showing her alongside while laid-up at Stockton Quay (poor quality), the other in dry-dock at Smith's Dock: Ron

Recently I received a package of mainly half-frame size slides taken by Geoff Colls, who says he was the leader of the volunteers who worked on the JOHN H. AMOS when she was handed over to the Dorman Museum in 1968, when they had aspirations of adding a marine section to their collection.
From other slides in the collection, the static views below can be dated to early August 1968, a month and a half before my own view above.

Passing Dock Point while still in service. Barge T.C.C. 41 and stern of T.C.C. HOPPER NO. 6 in foreground:
Various general views in Middlesbrough Dock: Ron

JOHN H AMOS on the slipway at Chatham. She didn't look in too bad condition in these shots, but I think she was already tidal.