No.8 pontoon Smith Dock North Shields

[Terrysummerson]

Launch of the North Section No. 8 Pontoon. Not sure about the date nor the identity of the tug

[teesships]

The tug.Possibly this STAR if between 1876 and 1899? http://www.tynetugs.co.uk/warrior1866.html
Or one of the other STAR's if earlier?
Or some other tug with the suffix STAR (not checked Dave's site in this regard).

Ron

[Whickham]

I would be very interested to know how this photo is actually described. CS Swan & Hunter built a pontoon for Smith's Dock in 1896, see: http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/S-Ships ... n1896.html

However the bit of writing on the right of the photo does suggest a Smith's Dock launch, but I didn't think Smith's was geared up for sideways launches. There are a couple of gaps in the early yard numbers that I have that might be pontoons.

Regarding the tug, it certainly looks like STAR or perhaps STAG?

[Terrysummerson]

Thanks for the feedback. I have found writing on back of photograph saying launching of the north section of no.8 pontoon 1892.
I assumed the pontoon was built at smiths north shields mainly because of the sign but also the ballast hill in the background looks the same as the one backing onto the yard? I also have another view of the south section that claims it is under construction at north shields. Hope this gives a bit more info.

[Whickham]

Thanks Terry, I think I have found it. No yard number but Smith's Dock apparently "opened" a pontoon dock for their own account on the 19th September 1892. No mention of there being a pair, so perhaps North & South were launched seperately and then joined to be a single dock. Any chance of the South pontoon photo?

[Whickham]

OK got them now. First pontoon launched 02/11/1891 and second pontoon launched 25/06/1892. Official trial 19/09/1892.

[teesships]

Regarding the tug, it certainly looks like STAR or perhaps STAG?

Certainly look to be a lot of similarities to the STAG: http://www.tynetugs.co.uk/stag1885.html

Ron

[Whickham]

Attached press cutting, from the Shields Gazette of Monday 27th June 1892, mentions the second section being launched with the tugs STAG and BROTHERS in attendance.

A similar cutting some 8 months previously mentions the tugs CRUIZER and CHAMPION assisting.

So it looks as though the North Section was launched second and the tug in the photo is the STAG.