by Hornbeam » Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:16 pm
Just spotted this photo, I think this is the same 'Mystery Dredger' seen at Stockton, you can just make out her second set of Buckets just above the Bow of No3. I was Relief Chief on Hopper No2 late 1950's built by Ropners? around the same time, a lovely old girl, Blair built Main Engine, a bit quirky you might say as the controls were the opposite way round to the norm but it just shows you if you looked after an old steam job they would last for years. Her permanent Chief was a funny old stick who had a 'Town Wife' and a ' Country Wife' As the job during my time was a five day week he spent the weekdays staying with his 'Town Wife' and his weekends off with his 'Country Wife'. He was also a lucky chap when the Cargo Fleet Hopper he was on during WW2 hit a Mine and blew up just as he was tying his shoelace with his shoe on the Bits, the Bits and shoe coming up and smacking him the face knocking him unconscious till he woke up in Hospital.