Tees Commissioner and Tees Conservator

[SAILFIN]

I have searched and cant find any Seaplane Tenders built by Thornycroft other than Raf rescue launches. Could the Tees Commissioner have been re-engined at the time of the saloon extension together with the engines being installed behind the cockpit ?.

[Hornbeam]

Sorry about my late reply, what you are suggesting is very possible, she is of a Narrow Beam Seaplane Tender design as opposed to a Broad Beam, The initial Narrow Beams as previously indicated were design by Fred Cooper with Scott Paine of British Power Boats along with further improvements by Lawrence.
The Broad Beams were a much more stable craft and the Hull was designed by George Selman built by B.P.B. His design principles are still used today in fast craft.
The narrow beams were first built by British Power Boats and then copied by other builders due to increased requirements not only by the R.A.F. but by also the R.N.
The first BPB Narrow Beams were Petrol Engined x2 and then changed to Diesel x2, the Narrow Beam on the Esplanade was the first BPB built with Perkins 6cyl Diesels although she now has Gardners fitted and her engines were brought forward by her Owners many years ago.
After the War vessels like this were sold for a song compared to their build cost and were advertised via RN Disposals who also sold the RAF Launches and advertised in various publications like “Motor Boat and Yachting” . Hull Good, Engines Fair for instance.
Before Dad bought our boat he scoured these adverts but eventually bought a more rugged built ex Military Vessel and converted her coincidentally copying a Thornycroft Motor Yacht cabin layout as she was bought as an open Hull with Petrol Engine which he ditched for a marinised ex Army Diesel truck engine.

[teesships]

50 YEARS AGO

The late John Proud provided the following details for issues of TEES PACKET, journal of Teesside Branch WSS, during 2002/3.
THE TEES COMMISSIONER. Wood, screw passenger launch, 12gt, 40.2x8.5x5.0 feet, built by Thorneycroft, Hampton on Thames. Engine 220bhp. ON 169155. Port of registry 1949 Middlesbrough. July 1949 completed for TCC for £5,720; 1967 THPA; 1976 sold to A.T. Shadforth, Seaton Carew.

TEES COMMISSIONER - River Tees - 25 April 1975:

Ron M