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

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

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

Ron M

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

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

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

Ron M

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?

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

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@?

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