Deep sea rescue tugs of ww2

[j.sabourn]

There is a lot to towing which a lot of people don’t understand and one has to keep a clear head and do this correctly , and suppose the best learning is experience. When towing on Ocean passages can be quite different than when towing in the likes of the North Sea . The wire and the depth of the North Sea which by ocean standards is quite shallow in parts . So one must be aware of the cantilever of the tow wire and the depth it is at , at all times in case snag the bottom . The depth of the wire will depend on the amount you have out , and is usual to have the tow as long as possible to save on wire damage and fuel consumption etc. Another one never ever steam on just the brake alone of the towing winch when I was mate I saw one master do this and the towline ran and the end disappeared over the tow bar , and we were sent home in disgrace . The wire itself should be Payed out or taken in a. Couple of feet every 4 hours or so to lessen the damage itself through a continuous rubbing on the tow bar., It’s a whole new siubject in seamanship..Might look easy on paper , in practice it is a skilled job.jS......

[George Boyd]

The steam powered. Assurance class rescue tugs were of 1350 Hp and the Envoy class with 2 boilers were1625 Hp.
The Bustler class were Diesel powered by 2 side by side 8 cyl British Polar engines coupled to one shaft and were 3,000 Hp.

[Bob McGahey]

:' Grey seas under' was written about the Foundation towing co. Halifax nova Scotia. author harley mouat. good reading!!!!