As well as securing the contract for the construction of five new harbour tugs

for Messrs. France Fenwick Tyne and Wear Co. – the largest single diesel tug order ever placed in the United Kingdom – Messrs. P.K. Harris and Sons, of Appledore, are to convert one of the firm’s steam tugs, the George V, into an ocean-going diesel-powered vessel and, so far as is known, this is the first time a tug of this size has undergone conversion in this country.

As benefits a company that pioneered the Very High Frequency wireless system to give constant communication with its large fleet of tugs, Messrs. France Fenwick Tyne and Wear Co. have been looking to the future and found that ships are becoming bigger and that large docks are being built on the rivers Tyne and Wear to take the largest tankers in the world. It is to meet this challenge that they have placed an order for five new harbour tugs.

This order will give the company nine diesel tugs all with the same type of engines and generators which will mean that inter-changeability of spare parts can be maintained and engine room equipment and lay-out standardised.

Powered by 12-cylinder 1080 b.h.p. diesel engines, the tugs will have the Lohnmann oil-operated clutch through a gearbox with a 4 to 1 reduction which will give instantaneous power and maximum manoevrability in such narrow waters as is required on the Tyne and Wear. They will have electric steering, main engine bridge control by the master and a tow-hook remove-slipping device of entirely new design which the master can use in an emergency.

During her conversion, the steam tug George V will be equipped with the same type engine as the new harbour tugs. Her aluminium masts and super-structure and general design will be the most modern in this country. Fitted with radar Decca navigator, echo-sounding device, V.H.F., Marconi transarctic wireless, radio direction finder, salvage pumps, fire fighting equipment, powerful searchlight, etc., the George V will be the most powerful tug on the North East coast. She will have a range of operation equivalent to 21 days continuous towing.

The accommodation will be of a very high standard and the vessel is being classed to Lloyds and also for passenger carrying in accordance with Ministry of Transport requirements.

5 March 1954