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CRUISER

Shipbuildervessel built by Alexander HALL & Co. (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Date15 January 1953

Object NameTUG

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 112 3/12' x breadth 29 1/12' x depth 13 3/6'
Gross Tonnage: 304 ton

river + seagoing TUG

Object numberABDSHIP001630

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 744
Official Number: 184984
Subsequent Names: ARDNEIL (1969); ARDNIEL (1999)

Fate: Still in service 2007

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Steel screw tug.

Owners:
1953: Steel & Bennie Ltd., Glasgow
1969: Ardrossan Harbour Co.
1979: Fitag Stiftung, Lichtenstein. (A. & N. Vogel, London, managers.)
1980: A. & N. Vogel, London
1980: Carmet Tug Co. Ltd., Eastham Locks, Cheshire.
1997: Aquatec Diving (International) Ltd., Helston, Cornwall
1999: Aquatec Diving Services Ltd., Tema, Ghana.

General History:
24/05/1954:
Tow by CRUISER of tanker BRITISH VALOUR to the Gareloch ran into difficulties off Ailsa Craig. In fierce wind it seemed inevitable tow rupe would break. Men aboard BRITISH VALOUR stood on focsle head [forecastle] keeping constant watch on tow. CRUISER hung on to her helpless charge and after several hours reported everything under control.
(Aberdeen Evening Express)

02/03/1956:
Rope between CRUISER and British motor vessel CRETE AVON (14 crew members, being towed Falmouth - Liverpool) broke late at night in choppy sea. CRETE AVON was left adrift off Cornish coast while cruiser recovered her towing gear in Mount's Bay. Another tow line was secured following morning.
(Liverpool Echo)

11/01/1958, 18/01/1958:
On 9 January CRUISER lost a propeller and ran aground on Ayrshire coast near Ardrossan while trying to refloat Irish coal boat BALLYHALBERT. Blown ashore in a gale. Early next morning CRUISER , which had been holed, was pulled off the rocks onto a strip of sand. However, high tide carried her in direction of seamill and pushed her further up beach. CRUISER not refloated until heavy seas moderated.
(Birmingham Daily Post + Belfast Telegraph, The Sphere)
.
Notes: Engine listed in LR as built 1942 and refitted 1953 with new boiler, but engine number is correct for 1953 manufacture.
Engine number 459 - Steam triple expansion with cylinders of 16½”, 27” and 45” diameter with 30” stroke. Boiler 17'0" diameter, 12'0" length, 200 lb. pressure (Builder's List in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1100 i.h.p. 12 knots
1964/65: Listed as re-engined with Crossley Brothers (Manchester) Ltd. 8 cylinder type CRL8, 2 stroke single acting, 368mm x 483mm, 1350 b.h.p., 12 knots. New 1963.