Spitfire | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2065

Status Registered

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Spitfire - stern view, starboard quarter

Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Tug

Location Stone

Vessel type Tug - Inland/Canal

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Harris Brothers, Netherton

Built in 1940

Hull material Iron

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

6.75 feet (2.06m)

Depth

2.75 feet (0.84m)

Length: Overall

46.00 feet (14.03m)

History

Built in 1940 by Harris Brothers of Netherton, SPITFIRE is a canal tug of iron construction. Her present engine is a Perkins diesel. She was built for Leonard Leigh Limited, a canal haulage firm, based on the Wyrley & Essington Canal and would have towed one or more "joey" boats laden with cargo, typically coal. SPITFIRE was one of four tugs commissioned by the Ministry of War at the outbreak of World War II; all were named after British fighter aircraft. She is currently fitted out as a pleasure boat, but it is the current owner's intention to replace the engine with that of a more appropriate vintage and to rebuild the cabin to reflect the shape of the original.