British Commerce

[fitter]

Launch of British Commerce, J.L.Thompson yard no 702, launch 10.07.1964. George Clark Sulzer 9RND90 engine

[magoonigal]

BRITISH COMMERCE.
Tanker for the BP Tyne Tanker Co Ltd. London by (As Tom says) J L Thompson. North Sands.
37,955 Gross. 64,260 Dwt.
Oil 2SA 9cy 900 x 1550 mm Sulzer by George Clark & N.E.M. Ltd Sunderland developing 18,000 bhp and giving a speed of 15.5 Knots,
Bunkers. 3,672 tons of hvf.
Broken up at Kaohsiung, arriving 31st January 1983.

So assume the "9" is 9 cy. and the "90" is cy bore.

[magoonigal]

Forgot the RYHOPE.
France Fenwick Tyne and Wear. In Fleet 1950 to 1970.
ON 181151. 176 Gross.
Dim: 82.5 x 24.2 x 10.0 ft
Steel Hull. Single Screw.
Built by the Decatur Iron and Steel Co. Decatur, Alabama as Yard number 74.
Engine: Oil 2SA 8cy. 8.5 ins x 10 ins. By General Motors Corporation, Cleveland. Speed 14 Knots.

11.1943; Completed as DPC 74, for Defence Plant Corporation, USA.
1943; Transferred to United States Army, renamed ST 761.
10.1950; Purchased by France, Fenwick Ytne & Wear Co. Lt., and renamed RYHOPE.
1970; Sold to Brodospas, Yugoslavia and renamed KASTOR.
1986; Broken up by Brodospas at Split.

JHP.

[fitter]

Yes, 9 cylinders, each 900mm bore
Detail of tugs is fascinating. Sorry to say I didn't know about the history of it and sorry to say that a lot of us took them for granted. About time someone (possibly a NEM member with tug experience, no one in mind of course ), wrote a well illustrated book about them and daily life on our rivers !!! If he already has I do apologise and would like to get a copy.