SILVERTOWN SERVICES [LIGHTERAGE] LTD - THAMES & GENERAL LIGHTERAGE CO LTD
Page last updated 30-1-2010
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SILVERTOWN SERVICES [LIGHTERAGE] LIMITED
Funnel; Black with two blue bands alternating between three silver bands.
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SILVERBEAM [1]
Built 1901 at Papendrecht, Holland. L72'. B17'. D8.65'. 60.21grt. 70nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by Mordey, Carney Ltd., Newport. ON114804.
1901 Delivered to W.H.J. Alexander Ltd., London. Named Sunbeam. 12-1914 Sunk by ship while attending WW1 Pontoon bridge between Tilbury and Gravesend. Salved. 3-10-1938 Sold to Silvertown Services Ltd (£1500), renamed Silverbeam. 2-1940 Req by RN. 1947 Returned to Owners. 1948 Sold to Milford Dock Company, Milford Haven, renamed St. Govans. 1965 Scrapped by C. Purdy, Milford Haven.
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SILVERBEAM [2]
Photo L Sherritt colln.
Built 1949 by James Pollock Sons & Co Ltd., Faversham. YN 1925. L83.6’. B21.4’. D7.8’. 92grt. 615bhp British Polar diesel engine. ON184379.
3-1951 Delivered to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London named Silverbeam. 1971 Sold to Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed Mercedes II. 1972 Re-engined 800bhp Lister-Blackstone ESS8 diesel BP9tons. 1982 Sold to Cleanaway Ltd., London, renamed Jean Raby. 2003 Sold to Medway Towing Services, Sevenoaks, renamed Silver Beam. 2005 Still in service.
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SILVERCLAD [1]
As Sunclad. Photo Les Sherritt colln.
Built 1892 by Summers and Scott Ltd., Gloucester. L67.6'. B16.2'. D7.95'. 54.38grt. 50nhp 2cyl compound steam engine. ON101971.
1892 Delivered to W. H. J. Alexander, London, named Star Of The East. 8-2-1902 £450 Award for assisting salvage collision damaged and sinking SS Cordilleras off Regents Canal Dock. 19?? Renamed Sunclad. 3-10-1938 Sold to Silvertown Services Ltd for £1000, renamed Silverclad. 1950 Scrapped by T. W. Ward Ltd., Grays Essex.
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SILVERCLAD [2]
Built 1953 by W.J. Yarwood & Sons Ltd., t Northwich. YN 886. L75'. B19'8". D8'4". 77grt. 550bhp 5cyl Crossley diesel engine. ON186011.
1-1954 Delivered to Esso Petroleum Co Ltd., London. Named Esso Reading. 1966 Sold to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Silverclad. 1971 Sold to J.P. Knight Ltd., London, renamed Kokoda. 1974 Sold to H.G. Pounds Ltd., Portsmouth. 1974 Sold to South Ocean Services Ltd., Portsmouth. 1977 Sold to Christiani & Nielsen Ltd., , renamed Chrianie IV. 1982 Believed in service in Far East. No further trace.
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SILVERDASH
Built 1940 by J Pollock Ltd., Faversham. YN1725. L40'. B12'. D4.7'. 18grt 100bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON167432.
2-1940 Launched. 4-1940 Delivered to Silvertown Services Ltd., London. 19-1-1944 Req for Admiralty service. 16-7-1945 Returned to owners. 1957 Still owned.
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SILVERDIAL [1]
Built 1899 by Dundee Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Dundee. L69'. B16.4'. D9.2'. 54.81grt. 60nhp 2cyl compound steam engine. ON110060.
1899 Delivered to Samuel Williams Ltd., London, named Prince. 1916 Acquired by W.H.J. Alexander ltd., renamed Sundial. 3-10-1938 Sold to Silvertown Services Ltd (£1500), renamed Silverdial. 4-7-1940 Bombed and sank in Portland Harbour.
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SILVERDIAL [2]
Built 1950 by James Pollock Sons & Co Ltd., Faversham. YN 1924. L83.6'. B21.4'. D7.8'. 92grt. 605bhp 4cyl British Polar diesel engine. ON183297.
7-1950 Delivered to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London. Named Silverdial. 1970 Sold to APCM Ltd., London. Renamed Sandtex. 1983 Sold to AAP Tugs, Rainham Kent. 1987 Sold to Blackstone Offshore Ltd, Basildon. 1988 For conversion to diving vessel at Hartlepool. 2007 Berthed in Hartlepool marina.
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SILVERDOT
Built 1939 by James Pollock Ltd., Faversham. YN1737. L40'. B4.7'. D4.7'. 100bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON167237.
3-1939 Launched. 4-1939 Delivered to Silvertown Services Ltd., London. 1957 Still owned.
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SILVERDOT II
Built 1945 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L41'. B12'. D4.7'. 18grt. 120bhp 3cyl National diesel engine. ON180800.
1945 Delivered to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London. 1956 Renamed Silverlit. 1972 Sold to M. Tugs Ltd., London. 1982 Chartered to W.S. Crouch & Sons Ltd., Greenhithe. 19?? Sold to private owners at Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, re-engined Ford diesel.
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SILVERGILT
Built 1953 by W.J. Yarwood & Sons Ltd., Northwich. YN 879. L75'. B19'8". D8'4". 77grt. 550bhp 5cyl Crossley diesel engine. ON185851
2-1953 Delivered to Esso Petroleum Co Ltd., London. Named Esso Greenwich. 1966 Sold to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Silvergilt. 1971 Sold to J.P. Knight (Rochester) Ltd., Rochester, renamed Kitava. 1978 Sold to Metal Recoveries Ltd., Newhaven, renamed Metrec. 19?? Owners Pounds Shipowners Ltd., Portsmouth. 1980 Sold to Pagasitikos Shipping Company, Piraeus, renamed Lacon. 2005 Still registered.
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SILVERLANE
Built 1925 by Alexander Hall Ltd., Aberdeen. YN596. L77.5'. B19.6'. D9.4'. 90grt. 37nrt. 76nhp 3cylTE steam engine by builder. Official No 148664.
8-1925 Delivered to T. C. & D. Co Ltd., London. Named Mincing Lane. 1938 Transferred to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Silverlane. 31-12-1939 On RN service with Thames Balloon Barrage. 12-11-1940 To RN examination service. 7-2-1946 to 23-5-1946 laid up. 20-1-1948 Rescued bargeman Dick Virgo from river off Jenningtree Point when barge he was on was sunk following collision with a collier. 1953 Rebuilt and re-engined with 480bhp Crossley diesel engine. 1966 Sold to Flower and Everett Ltd, renamed Pursuer. 1967 Renamed Bankside. 1969 Transferred to Land Reclamation Services Ltd., London. 197? Sold to A. B. King, Gravesend, renamed Pursuers. 1976[by] Owner G Bullas, Gravesend. 197? Scrapped by Mayer, Newman, Erith.
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SILVERLIT [1]
Built 1890 by Stewart and Latham Ltd., Blackwall. . L67.5’. B15.1’. D7.8’. 47grt. 8nrt. 45nhp 2cyl compound engine by Vulcan Ironworks Co., Hull. ON98041.
1890 Delivered to George J Lucas Ltd, London, named Stockwell. 3-1890 Owner W. H. J. Alexander, London. 1899 Renamed Sunlit. 1918 Service with US Army. 1929 Owner W P & G F Alexander, London. 1931 Owner W H J Alexander Ltd., London. 3-10-1938 Sold to Silvertown Services Ltd for £1000, renamed Silverlit. 11-1940 Req by Admiralty for patrol service. 3-4-1942 War Dept. service. 4-11-1942 On Admiralty service in South Atlantic. 23-11-1942 Sold to British Government [MoWT], for service in Africa. 3-1946 Sold - no further trace.
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SILVERLIT [2]
See Silverdot II.
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SILVERMARK
Photo V. Chandler colln.
Built 1937 by Alexander Hall Ltd., Aberdeen. YN662. L78.1'. B21.1'. D7.6'. 88grt. 1nrt. 500bhp British Polar M44M diesel engine. Official No. 165474.
Launched 4-1937. 1937 Delivered to T. C. & D. Co., London. Named Seething Lane. 1938 Transferred to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Silvermark. 1966 Sold to W. E. White and Sons, London, renamed John White. 1973 Scrapped by T. W. Ward Ltd., Grays, Essex.
Photo RGR Colln-------------------------
SILVERTOWN
Built 1940 by Cochrane & Cooper Ltd., Selby. YN 1207. L75.5'. B19.1'. D7.1'. 83grt. 520bhp 7cyl British Polar diesel engine. ON167389.
1940 Delivered to Silvertown Services Lighterage Ltd., London. 1966 Sold to W. E. White & Sons (Towage) Ltd., London, renamed Keith White. 1972 Sold to Michael J. Batty, Singapore.
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SOUNDY AND SON
SECRET [1]
No details known.
Original owner Richard Ross, London. 28-8-1851 Bows damaged following collision with SV Arrow off Deal. 5-2-1857 Awarded £3500 for salvage of barque Spirit Of The Age, in the Downs. 2-11-1859 Collided with SV Julia. 1888 [by]Owners Messrs Soundy and Son, London. [ may have been scrapped about 1892]
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SECRET [2]
Built 1892 by Spink and Edmundson, Lytham. L67'. B14'. D8'. 200ihp 2cyl compound steam engine.
22-10-1892 Launched. 11-1892 Disappeared without trace and loss of all crew in Irish Sea on delivery voyage to Soundy and Son, London.
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SOUTH METROPOLITAN GAS BOARD
[Later South Eastern Gas Board.]
Funnel; Black with broad red band carrying white panel with letters 'S E G B' in blue with narrow white bands above and below.
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GEORGE LIVESEY [1]
Built 1887. Steam engine.
1887 Delivered to South Metropolitan Gas Company., London. Later renamed Frank Livesey. 1929 Scrapped.
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GEORGE LIVESEY [2]
30-11-1925 Ordered by South Metropolitan Gas Company from Harland and Wolff Ltd., Govan. Order later cancelled and completed vessel sold to Belgian Owners.
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GEORGE LIVESEY [3]
Built 1928 by Lytham Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd., Lytham. YN753. L77.6'. B21.6'. D10.6'. 110grt. 550ihp 3cylTE 14"x22"x36"x24"s steam engine by builder. ON161212. IMO5423506.
29-11-1928 Launched. 3-1929 Delivered to South Metropolitan Gas Co Ltd., London. 1949 Owners restyled South Eastern Gas Board. 1957 Sold to W.J. Reynolds Ltd., Torpoint Plymouth, renamed Carbiele. 1972 Acquired by Cory Ship Towage Ltd., London. 1972 Sold for breaking up to Davis & Cann Ltd., Plymouth. 1982 Vessel awash at breakers yard. 1984 Scrapped.
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METRO 1
Launch tug.
Built 1947 by Clelands, Newcastle. YN108 L39'. Diesel engine.
7-2-1947 Launched for SMGB. Transported to London by road following trials. Probably used on Surrey Canal servicing Peckham Gas Works.
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MIDGE
Built 1892 by G Napier and Son Ltd., Southampton. Wood. L40.3'. B9'. D5.2'. 11grt. 8nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by builder. ON102826.
1892 Delivered to Board of Trade, London. 1915 Owner George Austen, Northfleet. 1915 Owner Percy Albany, Ware. 1917 Owners South Metropolitan Gas Board, London. 1950 [by] Scrapped
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PARTNERSHIP
Built 1901 at Greenwich. L71.5'. B17.4'. D9.1'. 65grt. 75nhp steam engine. ON114710
1901 Delivered to South Metropolitan Gas Board, London. 1949 Owners restyled South Eastern Gas Board. 1956 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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T B HEATHORN.
Built 1893 by J.S. Watson (Gainsborough) Ltd., Gainsborough. L68.6'. B15.6'. D8.9'. 76grt. 60nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by Edward Young, Millwall. ON102810.
1893 Delivered to South Metropolitan Gas Co Ltd., London, named T B Heathorn. 1949 Owners became South Eastern Gas Board, London. 1956 Sold to Greenhithe Lighterage Co Ltd., Greenhithe, renamed Britannia. 1957 Re-engined 360bhp National diesel. 1982 Sold to Atlas Transport Ltd., London. 1983 Sold to Greenhithe Salvage Services, Greenhithe. 1987 Sold to Douglas Steven & Partners, for intended preservation at Butlers Wharf. 199? Sold to Mr. Tears, Rainham. 200? Believed sunk. 2002 Salved by W Blake and moved to Barking Creek. No further trace.
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THAMES AND GENERAL LIGHTERAGE CO LTD
Including Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd. General Lighterage Co Ltd.
Funnel; Blue with red top and large white letter "T".
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THAMES STEAM TUG AND LIGHTERAGE COMPANY
Although a few records exist showing the company tugs towing small ships in the early years it was essentially a lighterage company. A prospectus was issued on July 9th 1856 showing a capital of £200,000 and advertising an issue of twenty thousand £10 shares. The Directors were Thomas Brassey, John Blake, Horatio Day, Sir S Morton Peto, William Swann and W H Tyler. Managers were Messrs Keen and Blake of Northumberland Wharf, Brentford. Company secretary Charles Eley Jnr. was also secretary of the Great Western and Brentford Railway Company. The stated aim of the company was to provide a fleet of lighters and steam tugs to take advantage of the ever increasing lighterage traffic on the Thames, and in particular to capitalize on traffic from the newly opened Victoria Dock, possible traffic from a proposed new dock at Dagenham, and that from a dock at Brentford, operated in collaboration with the GWR to take advantage of the Welsh coal trade. It is also evident from the prospectus that this was a re-financing and expansion of an existing lighterage business, presumably that of Keen and Blake of Brentford and Isleworth.
The company commenced operation on the first day of December 1856 with offices at Northumberland Wharf, Brentford, and Corn Exchange, London. In 1857 it announced it had reached an agreement with the Victoria Dock Company to service all its lighterage requirements. In December 1857 the Head office moved to 148 Fenchurch Street, London. Growth seems to have been fairly rapid and by 1881 the company employed over 300 men. By 1889 the offices had moved to 65 Fenchurch Street and company secretary was T. W. Jacob. T W Jacob was with the company many years, being both secretary and manager in 1889 and managing director by 1902.
The workforce went on strike in November 1881 over pay and conditions and similar disputes were to arise in 1889 and from October 1900 to January 1901.
In 1904 the company was in conference with various bodies, including Thames Conservancy regarding plans to build a barge repair yard on Lot’s Eyot near Brentford, a small islet which they owned. In December 1904 the company owned 340 barges and five tugs. Trading continued through various ups and downs including the two World wars and on 16th March 1959 a large notice appeared in the Times celebrating the companies centenary. By 1961 however there was a downturn in business beginning, and although employing over 400 lightermen a take-over bid of £780,000 from the Transport Development Group, announced on the 3rd October, was recommended and accepted. An amalgamation with the General Lighterage Company was to follow and in 1980 the whole setup was taken over by William Cory Ltd.
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AGNES
Built 1907 by H.J. Koopman, Dordrecht. L71'. B18.1'. D9.3'. 67grt. 375ihp 2cyl compound steam engine. ON125581
1907 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Agnes. 25-12-1925 Towing Lighter Teneriffe which collided with S/B Reliance in Limehouse Reach, River Thames. 1-10-1931 Collided with German SS Adriana in Thames. 1936 Sold to J.P. Knight (London) Ltd., London, renamed Kieve. 1947 Sold to John Deheer Ltd., Hull, renamed Ian. 1958 Sank in Victoria Dock, Hull, raised and scrapped.
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BLACKBOYS
Built 1958 by E.C. Jones & Son (Brentford) Ltd., Brentford. L46’. B13.6’. D5.6’. 22grt. 210bhp Dorman diesel engine. ON187780
1958 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Blackboys. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1970 Renamed General V. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1982 Sold to J. Darling, London. 1984 Sold to Cleanaway Ltd., London renamed Caspar C. 2002 Sold to The Environment Agency, London, renamed Falconbrook. 2006 Still in service.
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BRENT LEE
Built 1957 by E.C. Jones & Son (Brentford) Ltd., Brentford. L43.6'. B10.4'. D4.5'. 14grt. 178bhp diesel engine. ON187565.
1957 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Ltd., London. 198? Sold to Environment Agency, London, renamed Ver. 2005 Still in existence
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BRONS
Built 1928 by Rowhedge Ironworks Ltd, Rowhedge. YN 386. L34.2'. B8.4''. D3.3'. 6grt. 30bhp Brons diesel engine. ON160396.
1928 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Brons. 1955 Sold to R.G. Odell Ltd., Shepperton renamed Oxford. 1972 Sold to Saunders Marine. 19??: Sold to Genet Marine. 2005 Still in existence.
[Reengined at some stage with Gardner 6LX diesel]
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CONSTANCE
Built 1904 by Otto, Krimpen a/d Ijssel. L51.5'. B13.1'. D5.5'. 24grt. 95hp ON118443
1904 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1957 Owners Harry Earnell, Frank Earnell, Charles Judd, London. 1975 Owners W J Earnell Ltd., London. No further trace.
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DUCKETT
Built 1938 by James Pollock Sons & Co Ltd., Faversham. L49.6'. B13'. D4.9'. 19grt. 180bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON166581.
1938 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1972 Sold to E.M. Mayhew, Queenborough. 3-1983 Sold to A.E.White Ltd. 1992 Sold to Tilbury Douglas Construction, Erith. 199? Sold to Bill Blake, Barking. 2005 Sold to Spithead Trading Ltd., Braintree. 2006 Still in service
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EAGER
No details known.
1966 Owned by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1982 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London [ Not operated by Cory]. 1985 Scrapped.
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ENDEAVOUR
Built 1932 by Van Duijvendijk's Scheepswerf., Lekkerkerk. YN 12. L36.6'. B9.43'. 40bhp Kromhout diesel engine.
1932 Delivered to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1942 Req by MoWT, shipped to East Indies. 194? Returned to owner. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1982 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. [Not operated by Cory]. 1982 Sold to Ken Dwan, London. 198? Owner Tidal Cruises Ltd., London. 200? Owner Eel Pie Boatyard., Twickenham.
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ENERGETIC
No details known.
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ENID BLANCHE
Built 1925 at Sliedrecht. L78.2'. B20.2'. D10.7'. 99grt. 400ihp steam engine. ON148619.
1925 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1940 Sold to Richard Abel & Sons Ltd., Liverpool. 195 Renamed Warrendale. 1954 Grounded in fog off Stanlow Point on the Mersey whilst towing the barges Plata and Cheedale. 1955 Still in service. No further trace.
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ENSIGN
Built 1934 by T. van Duijvendijk's Scheepswerf, Lekkerkerk. YN 16. L36.7'. B9.4'. 35bhp Atlantic diesel engine.
1934 Delivered to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 29-5-1942 Req by Admiralty. 24-11-1945 Returned to owners. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1981 Sold to Ken Dwan, London. 198? Owners Tidal Cruises Ltd., London.
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EXPRESS
No details known
19?? Owners General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 198? Sold.
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FRAMFIELD
Photo M Wemban colln.
Built 1935 by J Thornycroft Ltd., Woolston, Southampton. L77.7'. B19.6'. D8'. 90grt. 2x 265bhp Ruston 6KM diesel engines driving BTH generators [diesel electric drive]. ON163580.
1935 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1957 Still owned.
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GENERAL I [1]
Built 1926 by T. van Duijvendijk, Lekkerkerk. YN 4. L59'. B14.4'. D6.2'. 35grt.
1926 Delivered to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 19?? Sold to R.G. Odell Ltd., London. 16-9-1942 Req by Admiralty. 22-10-1942 Sank.
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GENERAL I [2]
Built 1937 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L66'. B17.6'. D6.8'. 58grt. 390bhp diesel engine. ON165584.
1937 Delivered to Vokins & Co Ltd., London, named Vanoc.1975 Sold to Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed General I. 1983 Sold to Ron Livett, London, renamed Warrior. 1984 owners Thames & Medway Towage Ltd., London. 19?? Re-engined 860bhp Diesel. 5-2007 Still in existence.
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GENERAL II
Built 1926 by J. Vos, Groningen. L54.6'. B13.9'. D5.5'. 34grt. 164bhp diesel engine. ON149780
1926 Delivered to unknown owner named Wega. 1929 Sold to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed General II. 1941 Sold to W.J. Earnell & Sons, London. 1957 Owners Earnell and Judd Ltd., London. 1976 Owners W J Earnell Sons & Co Ltd., London.
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GENERAL III [1]
Built 1930 by James Pollock Sons & Co Ltd., Faversham. YN 1266. L75'. B17.5'. D9.3'. 65grt. 400bhp Bolinder diesel engine. ON162529.
11-1930 Launched. 1-1931 Completed for James Pollock, Faversham, named Leneh [Probably a speculative build]. 1934 [by] Owners Bolinders Company Ltd., London. 1936[by] Owners General Lighterage Co Ltd., London renamed General III and possibly reengined 310bhp Ruston Hornsby diesel engine. No further trace.
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GENERAL III [2]
Built 1947 by Henry Scarr Ltd., Hessle. YN510. L70.8'. B19.1'. D8.3'. 77grt. 465bhp Diesel engine. ON181810.
1947 Delivered to APCM Ltd., London. Named Snowcem. 1962 Sold to Vokins Ltd., London renamed Vortex. 1975 Sold to Thames & General Lighterage Ltd., London renamed General III. 1980 Taken over by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 198? Owners General Marine Services Ltd., London. 1992 Register closed. 200? Converted to houseboat moored at Hoo, Kent.
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GENERAL IV
Built 1936 by Henry Robb Ltd Leith. YN 222. L65'. B16'. D6.6'. 50grt. 390bhp 6cyl Atlas Polar diesel engine. ON164604.
1936 Delivered to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London named General IV. 24-9-1942 Req by Admiralty. 12-1942 On Admiralty service in West Africa. 194? Returned to owners. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1970 Sold to Electro Marine Engineering Co Ltd., London. 19?? Owners Millwall Lighterage Ltd., London. 1980 Sold to A.E. White & Sons Ltd., London, renamed Chalky White. 1983 Sold to Penfold, Erith, renamed Sarah Burn. 1987 Sold to Able Towing and Marine Services, Rochester. 1989 Sold to Argyle Charters, Campbeltown. 1990 Renamed General IV. 1994 Sold to Frank Warling for use as a private vessel. 1994 Laid up at Campbeltown. 2003 Sold to Simon Sawers, Firth of Clyde, for restoration. 2004 Sank in Bowling harbour.
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GENERAL V [1]
Built 1937 by Henry Scarr Ltd., Hessle. YN 388. 50grt. 340bhp diesel engine. [Rebuilt from 3cylTE] ON184441.
1937 Delivered to Lion Wharf Ltd., London, named Isleworth Lion. 27-4-1941 Req by Admiralty for use as M/S skid towing tug based Gravesend.. 1944 Returned to owner. 1960 Sold to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed General V. 1962 Sold to Erith & Dartford Lighterage Co Ltd.,Erith renamed Caroline. 1975 Renamed Caroline Bodkin. 198? Sold to Albert Coffey, Gravesend. 1989 Sold to Medway Towing Services, re-renamed Caroline. 2004 In Hoo Marina. 2006 Still in existence.
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GENERAL V [2]
See BLACKBOYS above.
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GENERAL VI [1]
Built 1939 by W.H. Donovan Ltd., Greenwich. 50 396bhp Mirrlees diesel engine.
1939 Construction halted following air raid damage. 1946 Completed for unknown owner, named Caledonian. 19?? Owners W.G. Marriott & Sons Ltd., London, renamed Mick. 196? Sold to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed General VI. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1974 Sold to M. Tugs Ltd., London, renamed Handyman. 19?? Re-engined 200bhp Gardner diesel. 1982 Sold to W.S. Crouch & Sons Ltd., Greenhithe.
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GENERAL VI [2]
Built 1937 by J.Thornycroft & Co Ltd., Woolston Southampton. L77.5'. B19.6'. D7.8'. 90grt. 2x 265bhp Ruston 6KM diesel engines driving BTH generators [diesel electric drive]. ON165612.
1937 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London, named Robertsbridge. 1962 Reengined 450bhp diesel. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1975 renamed General VI. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. [Not operated by Cory] 1981 Chartered by Reef [Underwater Services] Ltd, renamed Barra Reef. 10-1981 Returned to Cory Lighterage Ltd, renamed General VI. 1982 Sold to Mr Mayhew, Queenborough, Kent. No further trace.
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GENERAL VII
Built 1962 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L75’. B20’. D9’. 64grt. 665bhp National diesel engine. ON302978.
1962 Delivered to General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co. Ltd., London. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 15-10-1985 Sank following collision with freighter Rorahead off Tilbury The master, mate and two lightermen drowned. Engineer and two lightermen survived. 1985 Salved and later scrapped.
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GENERAL VIII
Built 1965 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L84.3’. B21’. D10.3’. 94grt. 1000bhp National Diesel engine. ON307914.
1965 Delivered to Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1990 Re-engined 1196bhp Mirrlees-Blackstone ESL6 diesel. 199? Transferred to Cory Environmental Ltd., London. 2006 Still in service.
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GENERAL IX
Built 1940 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L68.9'. B18'. D7.4'. 71grt. 420bhp British Polar diesel engine. ON167613.
1940 Delivered to Vokins and Co Ltd., London, named Vista. 1975 Sold to Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed General IX. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1982 Sold to Hastings Bros., London. No further trace.
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GLEN LEE
Built 1952 by Scheepswerf G. de Vries-Lentsch Jr., Alphen a/d Rijn. L39.8'. B10.3'. D4'. 14grt. 80bhp 4cyl Gleniffer diesel engine. ON185850
1952 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London.1963 Acquired by Thames & General LighterageCo Ltd., London. 1969 Sold to M. Tugs Ltd., Chiswick. 1974 Owner Fred Saunders. 19?? Sold to Riley Banks Marine Ltd. 19?? House boat at Brentford with engine removed. 1993 Registration closed. 6-2004 At Penton Hook Marina.
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HILDA
Built 1893 by Thames Ironworks Co Ltd, Blackwall. L70.6’. B15.8’. D8.3’. 50grt. 7nrt. 60nhp 250ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by Young & Son, Blackwall. ON101990
1893 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd, London named Hilda. 1925 Owners The Maritime Lighterage Co (J R Francis & Co) Ltd, London renamed Ratcliff. 1942 Owner William E White, Erith. 1949 Owners James H & Alfred E White, Erith. 1953 Scrapped.
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IRANDE
Built 1929 by J.I. Thornycroft & Co Ltd., Woolston, Southampton. YN 1085. L77.5'. B19.6'. D10.4'. 96grt. 340bhp Ingersoll Rand diesel engine. ON161357.
1929 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Irande. 1947 Re-engined 340bhp National diesel. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1970 Sold to W.E. White & Sons (Towage) Ltd., London. 1973 Sold to Thomas J. Dilks., London, renamed John White. 197? Sold to Alfred E. White, London. 1983 Sold to Thames & Medway Towage Co Ltd., Rochester. 1985 Owner Alan C. Bennett & Sons Ltd., Rochester renamed Irande. 1992 Scrapped.
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JANE LEE
Built 1951 by Richards Iron Works Ltd., Lowestoft. YN 404. L46.3'. B13'. D3.9'. 16grt. 204bhp 4cyl Crossley diesel engine. ON184462
1951 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. May at some stage have been renamed Thames IV. 1980 Acquired by Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London but laid up waiting sale. 19?? Sold to J. Butcher, Portsmouth. 198? Sold to Paul Mercer, Rye. 1991 Acquired by Branford Marine Ltd., Portsmouth. 1999 Company dissolved. 2009 Seen at Strood Basin.
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JOHN BLAKE
Built 1877 at Poplar. L63'. B13'. D7'. 42grt. 30nhp steam engine. ON76972.
1882 [by] Owners Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1911[by] Owner William Bingham, Hull.
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KENWARD
Built 1946. L53.1'. B12.7'. D5.2'. 27grt. Steam engine. ON186277.
1946 Delivered to Thames Conservancy Commissioners, London, named Cherwell. 19?? Sold to Page & East Ltd., London. 19?? Sold to Perkins & Homer Ltd., London, renamed Kenward. 1955 Rebuilt at Abingdon, re-engined 216bhp diesel. 1957 Acquired by Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1976 Ownership shown as T S T & L but may since 1963 have been operated by Thames and General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. No further trace.
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LETTIE
Built 1914 by Burgerhout's Scheepswerf en Machinefabriek, Rotterdam. YN 29. L76.5'. B19.6'. D10.4'. 89grt. 380ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by builder. ON136701.
1914 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 18-4-1916 Req for Admiralty service at Harwich. 20-3-1919 Returned to owners. 8-1940 Req for Admiralty service as auxiliary patrol vessel. 9-11-1941 Lost off St Abb's Head, Scotland to unknown cause.
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MARGARET
Built 1898 at Greenwich. L70'. B16.6'. D8'. 58grt. 70nhp steam engine. ON108370.
1898 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd, London. 1-8-1906 Lighter George being towed swamped and sank owing to excessive wash from LCC steamer Colechurch. 1924 Still owned by TST&L Ltd., London. 1938 Owners Clements Knowling Ltd., Brentford. 1956 Owners Clements Knowling Ltd., London. 11-09-1956 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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MARY BLAKE
Built 1910 by Hepple & Co Ltd., South Shields. L71.3'. B19.1'. D9.3'. 70grt. 375ihp 2cyl compound steam engine. ON129073.
1910 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Mary Blake. 7-1911 Collided with pleasure steamer Koh-I-Noor near London Bridge. 192? Sold to R.G. Odell Ltd., London renamed Denton. 19-12-1939 Req by Admiralty for balloon barrage service. 7-1942 On Admiralty service. 19-8-1946 Returned to owner. 1953 Re-engined 480bhp diesel, renamed Churchill. 1972 Sold. 19?? Owner John Sullivan at Greenland Dock during building of Marina. No further trace.
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MAUD
Built 1900 by G Rennie & Co, Greenwich. L70'. B17.2'. D8.9'. 63grt. 300ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by T A Young, Blackwall. ON112750
1900 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd, London. 1929 Sold to Clements Knowling Co Ltd, Brentford 1954 Scrapped.
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NANCY LEE
Built 1936 by J Pollock Ltd., Faversham. YN1580. L47'. B13'. D3.8'. 17grt. 70bhp Bolinder diesel engine. ON165334
9-1936 Launched. 10-1936 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London.
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RENNIE
Built 1906 by Napier Ltd, Southampton. Designed by James Pollock Ltd. Ship No 141. L31.9'. D7.1'. B3.3'. 5grt. Steam engine. ON148693.
1906 Delivered to unknown owner named Rene. 192? Re-engined 20bhp 1cyl Bolinder diesel by James Pollock Ltd., Faversham. 1925 Sold to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd. Renamed Rennie. 1933 Rebuilt at Brentford. 1949 Sold to R.G. Odell Ltd., London. 1992 Registration cancelled. 199? Sold to Environment Agency, London, renamed Gade. 199? Sold to J. Please, Kingston, renamed Tom. 2004 Still in service.
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ROBERTSBRIDGE
See GENERAL VI [2] above.
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THAMES II
Built 1957 by Vokins & Co Ltd., Brentford. diesel engine.
1957 Delivered to Vokins & Co Ltd., Brentford named Valkyrie. 1975 Sold to Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London , renamed Thames II. 1980 Acquired by William Cory Ltd and laid up for sale.19?? Sold to General Marine Services, London, renamed Major. 200? Sold to John Read, Brentford.
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THAMES III
No details known
ex Vampire [Vokins] ex Cemarco. [ APCM] 1980 Acquired by William Cory Ltd., London and laid up for sale.
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THAMES IV
See JANE LEE above
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THORN LEE
Built 1955 at Amsterdam. L39.8'. B10.3'. D4'. 14grt 100bhp diesel engine. ON186224
1955 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug and Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1975 Owners Thames and General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1976 Owners Taylor Woodrow International Ltd., London.
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TOM JAY
Built 1948 by Richards (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Lowestoft. L72'. B18.1'. D7.4'. 67grt. 415bhp 4x102bhp diesel engines. Hydrostatic drive. ON182847.
1949 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 19?? Sold to W.R. Cunis Ltd, London. 1977 Sold to Marine & Industrial Transmissions Ltd., Queenborough, deck crane and workshop added. 9-1983 Went aground at Horton Beach, Gower Peninsular during operation to salvage Prince Ivanhoe. Later broken up in situ.
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TOMMY LEE
Built 1938 by James Pollock Ltd., Faversham. YN1685. L49.5'. B13'. D5'. 19grt. 100bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON166582
8-1938 Launched. 8-1938 Delivered to Thames S T & L Ltd., London. 5-6-1942 Req by Admiralty. 2-1944 On MoWT service Far East. May not have been shipped back to UK.
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TOMMY LEE II
Built 1949 by J.R. Hepworth Ltd., Paull. L46.2'. B12.9'. D4.3'. 21grt. 120bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON183138
1949 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd, London 19?? Re-enginedl Deutz diesel. 1980 Acquired by William Cory Ltd., London and laid up for sale. 1980 Sold to Mr Newman, laid up at Hurlingham and believed converted to pleaseure craft. 7-2005 Seen at River Thames Barge Race.
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VASSAL
Built 1938 by James Pollock Sons & Co Ltd., Faversham. YN 1684. L38.2'. B10.5'. D4'. 13grt. 60bhp 2cyl Widdop diesel engine. ON165519.
1938 Delivered to Vokins & Co Ltd., London. 1975 Sold to Thames & General Lighterage Ltd., London. 1980 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. [Not operated] 1982 Sold to General Marine Services, London, renamed Vassel. No further trace.
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VICTORIA
Built 1856 by George Harrison, Birkenhead. Iron Screw tug. L92.3’. B16.1’. D7.6’. 86grt. 24nhp 1cyl steam engine by Peto, Brassey & Bett, Liverpool. ON12087
1857 Owner Alfred J Reece, Brentford. 1858 Owners Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd, London. 1871 Registered at Goole. 1881 [by] Owner John Wilkinson, Louth. 1-12-1883 Foundered off Brancaster.
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VISTA
See GENERAL IX above.
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VORTEX
See GENERAL III above.
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WORTHA
Built 1929 by J. Thornycroft & Co Ltd., Woolston. YN 1086. L77.5'. B19.6'. D8'. 96grt. 276bhp Worthington diesel engine. ON161318
1929 Delivered to Thames Steam Tug & Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Wortha. 16-7-1941 Req by MoWT. 18-2-1946 Returned to owners. 1948 Re-engined 340bhp Ingersoll Rand diesel. 1962 Re-engined 405bhp Diesel. 1963 Acquired by Thames & General Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1973 Sold to John Ramsey, Ipswich. 1974 Sold to Maritime Towage & Salvage Ltd.,London. 1975 Sold to W.G.S. Crouch & Sons Ltd., Greenhithe. 1978 Renamed Wortha Spearing. 1984 Engine removed & hull sold in 1985. Presumed scrapped.
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