FRANCIS SAMUELSON and SPRINGWOOD

[teesships]

The SPRINGWOOD as ADDERSTONE, River Tyne - 8 September 1975:

Ron M

[magoonigal]

In latter years the SPRINGWOOD had the lattice work exposed whilst the SIR FON had hers covered.

[Hornbeam]

As I have indicated in an earlier posting very much like 5&6 TCC Hoppers and built around the same time by the same Shipbuilder, the door Aft leads to the Steering Gear compartment which was if I remember correctly was steam driven, the Deckhead in this compartment was also heavily braced for a Gun to be carried on the Deck above apparently. I wonder if this vessel and her Sister vessel were subject to a Govt Grant in order that they also could be used in the Boom Defence Role in the event of.

[magoonigal]

Looking at the two, they do look similar from the bridge aft. The FON was 185ft x 36ft whilst 5/6 were 194ft x 36ft. Also the FON had a Cabin under the bridge whilst 5/6 were open. The method of opening the Doors was different as well, however the FON had a British Polar Engine as against the Steam Plant in 5/6.
I do not know if the FON had the same bracing for a Gun to be fitted, however it is amazing what you learn from one who knows!!

[Hornbeam]

G.M. Paul, so my question is how did these vessel's dump the Ash, as you will have seen the TCC Craft have a 'Strongback' over the holds which routed the chains over the Holds and down to the Hopper Doors even No3 which was a Diesel job but used Hydraulic Rams to open and close the Doors. Certainly if 5&6 had been Diesel Engined it would most probably have extended their lives as they were nicely turned out Craft. I don't know the exact reason why they met the Breakers Torch but I suspect it was down to the 'Oil Crisis' as they used H.F.O. When it was Bunkering time as Chief you were presented with a beautifully made tin can looked like a smaller version of the old Shell Mex Petrol Can complete with a Brass screw Spout which had small holes drilled in the Wings for them to be 'wired secure with Label attached' ( this contained a sample of the Bunker Oil) in those days they looked handmade and were a credit to the Tinsmith who made them.

[magoonigal]

Two Big Rams at the front of the Hold with chains feeding along the Hatch.

She may also have had sloping panels at the after end of the hold, opened by rams.

Was never on board her and my other pictures of her don't give a clear picture of how it all worked.

[magoonigal]

ADDERSTONE WEAR MAY 1989

SIR FON JUNE 1985

SIR FON JUNE 1985

SIR FON MAY 1985

[Hornbeam]

G.M. Paul, thank you for the further information, the size and shape of the Funnel gives a Lobnitz build away, it doesn't seem to matter how they are Engined, one size fits all seems to be thinking. You can imagine a row of Funnels coming out of the Fab Shop looking like " Little boxes/Funnels made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same"