by Hornbeam » Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:51 pm
Interesting Tug is this Able One changed to Three (two different vessels), She was In the U.S. Reserve facility at Hythe which was a Sub- Depot for the massive U.S. Facility 'Header House' at Burtonwood (now all gone). They were shipped out to the various U.S. Bases throughout the World on rotation for a few years and brought back to Hythe for an extensive overhaul and modification program, this tug amongst others was due to enter this program, part of the program was the removal of the topside to facilitate the removal of the main engine for overhaul and modification. One of the modifications was the fitting of a large hydraulic Pump directly on to the Main Engine Crankshaft at the non prop shaft side of the engine (front), the main purpose of this hydraulic Pump was to propel the large newly installed Bow Thruster, I visited one of the newly converted Tugs at Hythe and was informed by her Skipper that the modifications were a bit of a shambles because when he used the Bow Thruster the M.E. running at Slow Ahead or manoeuvring speed the engine stalled. Shortly after I heard that the modifications program had been stopped and the unconverted Tugs would be disposed of including this one which is why when the new owner bought her she had no Main Engine or running gear fitted but the topsides refitted to make them more attractive to sell rather than a bare Hull. I have no idea if the modifications programme was halted due to 'Technical Problems' or the general rundown of the vast American Reserve Equipment which was stored in G.B. after the French kicked them out. As one American said to De Gaulle "Do you want us to take our Wartime Dead with us?"
Should have read Wartime Dead.