T.C.C. HOPPER No.3

[GDTURNER]

Sorry I don't have the date for this one. If anybody can help identifying the Tugs in this picture, it would be much appreciated. Thanks Graeme

[northeast]

The hoppers may be LONG SAND and CORK SAND of Boskalis?

[teesships]

Or are they THAMES BAY and CLYDE BAY from back in the late 70s/early 80s?

Ron M

[teesships]

Or maybe a previous occasion about 10 years earlier - 1969 or so. I photographed them both periods.

Can't now remember when the Eston Jetty cranes were demolished (but before 1980?)

Yes must have been earlier. in other posts recorded that TCC HOPPER NO. 3 was: circa 1972 (sold) to Pounds Marine Sg Ltd.

Ron M

[Hornbeam]

Nice little Engineroom on No3 about the size of a Coaster, she was the newest of the Self Propelled Hoppers when I was there, Crossley 2 stroke Main Engine, MWD Gearbox, pair of Gardners as the Auxiliaries one on a Radiator in case she sat on the Putty. Unlike the other Hoppers the Hopper Doors were not operated by chain but by Hydraulic Pistons which are fine but a small leak under pressure looks like it has dumped half of the Saudi output over the Strongback. Did a week on her. Very similar to the Wilton ( of the time) in her Engineroom layout except for M.E. size, Regular de-cokes were the key with 2Strokes.
Very surprised that she only lasted till 1972 bearing in mind the age of some of the TCC Fleet, although I see she was sold to Pounds so she may have had an "afterlife" as a lot of vessels did barring for the Submarines

[teesships]

For more on No. 3 see: viewtopic.php?f=139&t=14815

Ron M

[Hornbeam]

Not 100 % sure but the vessel furthest away looks like the John H. Bearing in mind No3 was activated in 1956. The Dutch had a Dumb Barge Diesel Electric Pump Suction Dredger and it's Hoppers working in the "new" Tees Dock area if I remember correctly around that time?

[teesships]

Ron, I would agree with ypu that it is the JOHN H. AMOS. Furthermore she (he) looks to still be in actrive service and in her TCC colours which I think she kept until donated to the Museum Service circa 1968. So a 1967 date would also fit the date of this photo. Checking my records the THAMES BAY was completed in April 1967 and I saw her in the Tees later that same year.

Ron M

[Hornbeam]

Oh Ron M, I must apologise unreservedly for leading you up the garden path after further magnification with my super computer the vessel which I thought whas the John H is not, it is No 11 Bucket Dredger as I can make out her Top Tumbler Drive and her Cross Tree Mast, I must get to Specsavers not only for new pair of glasses and according to my Daughter a flipping DEAF AID. Regards, Ron@?

[teesships]

OK, I'll agree with you again! It is TCC DREDGER NO. 11 not the AMOS!
The timeframe still fits however as she was sold in 1972.

Ron M