1876 Delivered to Union Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1886 Sold to Vokins & Co Ltd., London. 1891 Sold to Beadle Brothers Ltd., London. 1896 Acquired by William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1912 Sold to Ernest Freak, Greenwich. 1914 Sold to Charles & Arthur Etheredge Ltd., Limehouse. 1922 Owners C. & A. Etheredge Ltd., Limehouse. 1923 Sold to Edward T. Crawley, Green St., London E6. 1930 Sold to Henry D. Lane, Cherry Garden Pier, Rotherhithe. 1935 Scrapped.
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KESTON
Built 1904 by Edwards & Co Ltd., Millwall. L49.4’. B13.1’. D4.6’. 22grt. 75ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by Hoskins. ON118467.
1904 Delivered to J P Knight Ltd., London. 1916 Sold to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1935 Scrapped.
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LYDFORD
Built 1880 by T A Young, Blackwall. L59.8’. B13.7’. D7.1’. 40grt. 30nhp 2cyl steam engine by Young and Co, London. ON82814.
1880 Delivered to Union Lighterage Co Ltd., London named Union. 18?? Sold to D Radford and Co., London, renamed Lydford. 1896 Acquired by William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1914 Sold to General Wharfage and Supply Co Ltd., Erith. 1939 Owner Samuel H Hallett, Park Place, Greenwich. 1942 Scrapped.
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MERANO
Built 1949 by Philip & Son Ltd., Dartmouth, YN 1191. L42.7’. B12.8’. D4.8’. 23grt. 102bhp 6cyl Crossley diesel engine. BP3tons. ON182370.
3-1949 Launched. 5-1949 Delivered to R & J H Rea Ltd., named Falgarth. 1950 Sold to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Request. 1953 Transferred to The Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London , renamed Merano. 1966 Reengined 230bhp Crossley diesel. 1982 Sold to Greenhithe Salvage & Medway Towing Services London. 2005 Still in service.
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MERCEDES
Built 1935 by R Dunston, Hessle. L66’. B17.6’. D7.3’. 60grt. 480bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON164554.
1935 Delivered to General Wharfage and Supply Co Ltd., London, named Silverstone. 5-3-1941 Sunk after setting off aircraft laid mine 3 miles above Rochester bridge near Aylesford, River Medway, whilst towing barges Rockstone, Sandstone, Stonecurb and Cestone. All eight men on board lost. Later repaired and returned to service. 1945 Sold to Wm Cory and Son Ltd., London renamed Mercedes. 1969 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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MERCEDES II
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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MERCURIAN
Built 1945 by Bay Wharf Construction Ltd, Greenwich. L43.9’. B13.3’. D7’. 21grt. 132bhp Ruston Hornsby diesel engine. ON186144.
1945 Delivered to The Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1954 Sold to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1976 Reengined. 1983 For sale. Possibly later converted to fishing vessel and renamed.
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MERIT
Built 1964 by J. Bolson & Son Ltd., Poole. YN 547. L82.3’. B20’. D9’. 83grt. 627bhp National diesel engine. ON306097.
1964 Delivered to Union Lighterage Co Ltd., London, named Lingo. 1971 Sold to Lambert Barge Hire Co Ltd, chartered to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1974 Sold to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Merit. 1983 Transferred to Cory Waste Management Ltd., London. 1990 Transferred to Cory Environmental Ltd., London. 1993 Re-engined 1196bhp Mirrlees-Blackstone ESL6 diesel, BP11tons. 2006 Still in service.
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MERSINA
Built 1955 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L80’. B19.6’. D9.6’. 79grt. 670bhp Ruston Hornsby diesel engine. ON186212.
1955 Delivered to William Cory & Son Ltd., London named Repulse. 1957 Transferred to Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London, renamed Mersina. 1976 Re-engined 750bhp Mirrlees Blackstone EWSL6 diesel. 19?? Transferred to Cory Environmental Ltd., London. 2006 Still in service.
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MISTY
Built 1951 by J W Cook Ltd., Wivenhoe. YN1034. L35.6'. B10'. D3.4'. 11grt. 100bhp Ruston Hornsby diesel engine. ON184457.
1952 Delivered to J W Cook Ltd., London. 1958 Sold to Wm Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1961 Transferred to Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1983 Sold to Thames Conservancy Commissioners, London, renamed Cannon Brook. 1995 Owners Environment Agency, London.
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NEPTUNE
Built 1880 by A.D. Lewis., East Greenwich. L62’. B13.6’. D6.9’. 33grt. 40nhp 2cyl steam engine by A Wilson and Co., Vauxhall iron Works, London. ON98035.
1880 Delivered to unknown owner. 6-1-1889 Suffered damage after fouling London Bridge in thick fog. 1890 Sold to James & Charles Harrison, London. 1896 Acquired by William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1916 Transferred to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1926 Transferred to Cory, Bowring Coal Company Ltd., Antwerp, and renamed CORBOWRING II.
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ONWARD
Built 1875 by Hodge, Millwall. L59.3’. B12.5’. D6.6’. 34grt. 25nhp steam engine by builder. ON73646.
1875 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1886 Sold to William Vandersteen, Limehouse. 1911 Owner James Roose Francis, London. 1919 Scrapped.
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PURFLEET
Built 1906 by G Rennie Ltd., Greenwich. L70’. B18’. D9.8’. 73grt. 360ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by Plenty and Son. ON123748.
1906 Delivered to Steam Ship Owners Coal Association, London. 18-4-1912 £500 salvage award for assistance to pleasure steamer London Belle, adrift in thick fog off Woolwich. SS Hornby Castle had collided with laid up pleasure steamer, badly damaging her and breaking her moorings. Tug managed to get line aboard and safely beach her near the Arsenal jetty. 1914 Acquired by William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1916 Transferred to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1938 Scrapped.
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RAJAH
Built 1895 by Earles and Co Ltd., Hull. YN399. L68.8’. B15.1’. D7.7’. 57grt. 45nhp Steam engine by builder. ON105757.
1895 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 28-4-1897 £80 award for assistance given with other tugs to SS W D Cruddas which had fouled her propeller with a mooring buoy chain off Greenwich. 10-1902 Owners fined £50 after tug collided with and broke two piles of the new Vauxhall Bridge. 1929 Scrapped.
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RAMESES
Bult 1894 by G. Rennie & Co Ltd., Greenwich. L71.5’. B15.1’. D8.4’. 58grt. 280ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by Plenty and Son. ON108162.
1894 Launched, named Regalia. 1894 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London, renamed Rameses. 1929 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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RANGER [1]
Built 1898 by Stephenson Ltd, Hebburn. L60.3’. B14.1’. D7’. 48grt. 31nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by Hedley and Boyd. ON110119.
1898 Delivered to unknown owner. 1906 Acquired by William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1926 Transferred to Cory, Bowring Coal Company Ltd., Antwerp, and renamed Corbowring III. No further trace.
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RANGER [2]
Built 1930 by Crabtree & Sons Ltd., Great Yarmouth. YN 190. L68.5’. B18.6’. D8.9’. 76grt. 365ihp 3cylTE steam engine by builder. ON161389.
1930 Delivered to Cory Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1964 Scrapped by Thomas W. Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REALM
Built 1890 by Murray Brothers, Dumbarton. Screw tug. L68.5'. B14.1'. D8'. 42.88grt. 280ihp ON97635.
1890 Delivered to ???, named Cambria. 5-1896 Acquired by William Cory Ltd., London, renamed Realm. 23-3-1897 Capsized and sank whilst towing laden coal hulk Mark Lane from Tilbury Dock. Master, Engineer and Fireman lost. Mate picked up by boat from hulk. Enquiry found that tug was not of sufficient size or power for this tow. Later salved. 1899 Sold to London Grain Elevator Company. 1909 Transferred to PLA. 1946 Owner R. A. Garrett. 1947 Believed scrapped.
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RECRUIT [1]
Built 1901 by Stothert Ltd., Bristol. L69’. B17’. D8.5’. 59grt. 19nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by builder. ON112850.
1901 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1934 Scrapped.
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RECRUIT [2]
Built 1952 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L80’. B19.6’. D9.6’. 91grt. 670bhp Crossley diesel engine. ON184630.
1952 Delivered to Cory Tank Lighterage Ltd., London. 1983 Transferred to Cory Waste Management Ltd., London. 1990 Transferred to Cory Environmental Ltd., London. 1996 Re-engined 1196bhp Mirlees-Blackstone ESL Diesel. 2006 Still in service.
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RECTOR
Built 1916 by Rennie Forrest Shipbuilding, Engineering & Dry Dock Co Ltd., Wivenhoe. YN 1251. L73.3’. B20’. D10.2’. 106grt. 450ihp 3cylTE 14"x25"x35"x24"s steam engine by Plenty and Son Ltd. BP6t. ON140264.
1916 Delivered to Cory Colliers Ltd., London. 2-6-1917 Req by UK War Office for service at Dunkirk, Managers C. Rowbotham and Sons Ltd., London. 22-10-1919 Returned to owners. 1922 Transferred to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1923 Transferred to R & J H Rea, Southampton. 22-6-1942 Damaged during air raid at Southampton. 1946 Transferred to Cory Lighterage Ltd. London. 1952 Transferred to R & J H Rea Ltd. 1954 Transferred to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1954 Scrapped.
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REDEEM
Built 1925 by Cochrane and Son Ltd., Selby. YN957. L74.5’. B18.6’. D9.5’. 78grt. 250ihp 3cylTE steam engine by Plenty and Son Ltd., Newbury. ON148649.
1925 Delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 263-6-1934 Edward Allen, aged 19, lost overboard off Ford’s jetty, Dagenham. 3-1941 Sunk in collision with tug Cullamix off Rainham, Essex. Five crew saved by Cullamix, two men lost. Later salved and returned to service. 1960 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REDOUBT [1]
Built 1914 by Montrose Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Montrose. L71.5’. B18.2’. D8.4’. 63grt. 300ihp 3cylTE steam engine by W V Lidgerwood, Coatbridge. ON135787.
1914 Delivered to Tilbury Coaling Co Ltd., Tilbury, named Tilco. 1938 Acquired by Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1947 renamed Redoubt. 1951 Scrapped.
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REDOUBT [2]
Built 1916 by Crabtree and Co., Gt. Yarmouth. YN160. L70.8'. B18.2'. D8.9'. 70grt. 40nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by builder. ON139128.
1916 Delivered to James W. Cook & Co Ltd., London named Blizzard. 195? Re-engined 440bhp Crossley diesel. 1958 Sold to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1961 Transferred to Mercantile Lighterage Ltd., London, renamed Redoubt. 1965 Transferred to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1972 Scrapped by T.W. Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REGAIN
Built 1997 by Delta Shipyard, Sliedrecht Holland. L72.9'. B25.6'. D6.3'. 138grt. 1610bhp 2x 8cyl Caterpilar 3508B-DITA diesels engines. Twin screw. ON
19-7-1997 Launched. 12-12-1997 Delivered to Cory Environmental PLC., London. 2008 Still in service
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REGAL
Built 1928 by Cochrane and Son Ltd., Selby. L74.5’. B19.6’. D10.6’. 91grt. 550ihp 3cylTE steam engine by McKie and Baxter Ltd., Paisley. ON160351.
1928 Delivered to Willaim Cory and Son Ltd., London. 15-12-1938 Barge Carlisle, under tow, sank in Woolwich Reach following collision with SS City Of Brussels. 1960 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REGALIA
Built 1898 by Stephenson, Newcastle. L60.3’. B14.1’. D7’. 48grt. 190ihp steam engine by Hedley and Boyd Ltd. ON110113.
1898 Delivered to unknown owner. 1911 Acquired by William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1922 Sold.
[Vessel was fitted out and used as an inspection launch for use of the Cory directors. It was unlikely to have ever been used for towage.]
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REGARD [1]
Built 1927 by Dibles Ltd., Southampton. L69.8’. B18.6’. D9.2’. 74grt. 300ihp 3cylTE steam engine by Plenty and Son Ltd., Newbury. ON160353.
1927 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1956 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REGARD [2]
Built 1958 by James W. Cook (Wivenhoe) Ltd., Wivenhoe. L73.6’. B18.7’. D8.9’. 69grt. 409bhp Ruston Hornsby diesel engine. ON187819.
7-1958 Delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1974 Re-engined 500bhp Lister-Blackstone diesel. 1982 Sold to Erith & Dartford Lighterage Co Ltd., Erith, renamed Sir James D. 1984 Sold to Braithwaite & Dean Ltd., London renamed Regard. 1991 Sold to Alan C. Bennett & Sons Ltd., London, renamed Regarder. 1994 Sold to General Marine Ltd., London. 2002 Still in service.
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REGENCY
Built 1929 by Crabtree & Sons Ltd., Great Yarmouth. L69.5’. B18.6’. D8.9’. 76grt. 365ihp 3cylTE steam engine by builder. ON161358
1929 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 4-1941 Sank after setting off aircraft laid mine off Rainham Essex. Six aboard saved, two lost. Salved and repaired. 1960 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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REGENT
Built 1891 by J & W Dudgeon, Poplar. L69’. B15’. D7.7’. 47grt. 50nhp 2cyl Steam engine. ON99032.
1891 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London.
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REGINA
Built 1887 by Thames Ironworks Ltd., Blackwall. L68.5’. B14.1’. D7.5’. 40grt. 50nhp 2cyl compound steam engine by T AYoung Ltd, Blackwall. ON95438.
1887 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1935 Scrapped.
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REGIS
REGIS about to pass under Blackfriars Bridge. Arthur William Goad on deck. Photo B Freeman colln.
Built 1936 by Henry Scarr Ltd., Hessle. YN 378. L74.7’. B19.1’. D9.6’. 81grt. 530ihp 3cylTE steam engine by Plenty and Son, Newbury. ON165360.
1936 Delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1956 Transferred to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 19?? Transferred to Cory Tank Lighterage Ltd., London. 19?? Transferred to Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1964 Scrapped by T.W. Ward Ltd., Grays.
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RELAY
Built 1949 by Philip & Son Ltd., Dartmouth. YN 1187. L48’. B13’. D4.9’. 23grt. 95bhp National diesel engine. ON183051.
1949 Delivered to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1956 Re-engined 120bhp Crossley diesel. 1975 Sold to Thomas Hughan and Co Ltd, Greenwich. 19?? Sold to Thames & Medway Towing Co Ltd., London, renamed Scoundrel. 2005 Lying derelict at Pipers Wharf, Greenwich.
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RELENTLESS
Built 1949 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. L70’. B17.6’. D7.3’. 61grt.450bhp British Polar diesel engine. ON182994.
1949 Delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1970 Transferred to Mercantile Lighterage Co Ltd., London. 1976 Sold for breaking up at Blackwall but believed later sold Foreign.
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RELIABLE
Built 1923 by Cox and Co Ltd., Falmouth. L73.9’. B19.1’. D8.7’. 77grt. 300ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by builder. ON146702.
1923 Delivered to William Cory and Son Ltd., London. 1932 Forced draught system fitted to boiler. 1958 Scrapped by T W Ward Ltd., Grays.
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RELIANCE
Built 1901 by G. Rennie & Co Ltd., Greenwich. L69’. B16.3’. D8’. 54grt. 275ihp 2cyl compound steam engine by Plenty and Son Ltd., Newbury. ON115792.
1902 Delivered to Frederick R. Pelly, London. 1911 Sold to William Cory & Son Ltd., London. 1916 Transferred to Cory Lighterage Ltd., London. 1940 Scrapped.
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