Tyne Dock Engineering's steam launch Watchful alongside at TDE in February 1966, with an interesting collection of old shipyard plant in the background.

What a gem. But can anyone add a bit of history to her?

No, unless I find anything by accident. Not in 1947 or 1955 MNL

Nothing in my d/base of NE Shipyards to match. Curious. Looks like a tug used as a workboat, similar to the Smith's Docks 'tugs' on the Tees and maybe similar vintage?

The following photo was posted on a well known Tug Discussion Group site:



. . . . . and the following comment:

RE - Picture Added: WATCHFUL
Posted on 04/07/2003, by George Robinson

The name WATCHFUL has been used by HM Customs for patrol craft and the last one I know of was built by Dunston at Thorne in 1951 ... I have a photo and it's not this one, but maybe she is a pre-war vessel which was replaced by the new one in 1951? These HMC vessels tend to go unrecorded, have asked Philip Simons who is good at these but he has no info. on an earlier one. So just another theory ....

Oh, am I related to that fellow you quote from 9 years ago?
Well-spotted comment but gets us no further with this one ....