Registration number 2620
Status Archived
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Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Tug
Location Dún laoghaire
Vessel type Tug
Archive reason Overseas Watch List
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Dunston, Richard, Thorne
Built in 1952
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Inboard diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
80.00 feet (24.38m)
Breadth: Beam
19.60 feet (5.97m)
Depth
9.60 feet (2.93m)
Tonnage: Gross
91.00

History

SWIFTSTONE was built in 1952 by Richard Dunstone Ltd at Thorne and delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd at London.  She was designed by Albert Simmons and was the first welded and riveted hull to be built in Richard Dunston's yard.  She represents the prime of Thames Lighterage tugs during the height of lighterage on the River Thames.  Her daily routine would be to tow Thames barges/lighters for Cory Lighterage up and down the Thames. 

SWIFTSTONE is believed to be one of the few remaining tugs from this period, others include TOUCHSTONE and other working tugs of the same era being REVENGE, MERSINA and RECRUIT. 

SWIFTSTONE was donated to The Swiftstone Trust in 1999 and in 2001, ongoing restoration began.  She is currently in the original livery of Cory Lighterage from the 1950s and regularly maintained by the Trust to keep her in operational condition.

SWIFTSTONE moved to Liverpool in 2018 for further preservation and then to a new berth in Fleetwood in October 2019.  She is currently being upgraded to meet modern safety standards while refurbishing the internal areas. She is now moored in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland. 

 

Key dates

  • 1952 Vessel built by Richard Dunston Ltd at Thorne and delivered to Cory Lighterage Ltd for use on River Thames
  • 1999 Vessel donated to The Swiftstone Trust
  • 2015

    Swiftstone moved from Trinity buoy wharf in London to Queenborough from 2015 until 2018

  • 2019/2020

    Arklow in the Republic of Ireland via Holyhead to begin her final stages of refurbishment. 

     

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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