Registration number 2744
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Tug
Location Chatham Historic Dockyard
Vessel type Tug
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire Yes
Available for excursions Yes

Construction

Builder Cook, James W, Wivenhoe
Built in 1962
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Inboard diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
69.29 feet (21.12m)
Breadth: Beam
18.64 feet (5.68m)
Depth
7.48 feet (2.28m)
Air Draft
13.12 feet (4.00m)
Tonnage: Gross
68.00

History

TOUCHSTONE  is a tug of welded steel construction built by Cooks of Wivenhoe for the Cory Tank Lighterage  Co. in 1963.  Until the early 1980s she was mainly employed towing petrol lighters from Thames Haven to Aylesford on the River Medway.  When this trade was discontinued she was assigned to the River Thames household rubbish trade running between City of London wharves and Cory's disposal/landfill site on the Mucking Flats marshes.

By the early 1990s she had become a standby tug at Gravesend and in 1999 was sold out of service to her present owners who have endeavoured to maintain her as a working preserved craft. 

TOUCHSTONE attends festivals in South east England and Europe.

Key dates

  • 1962

    Built by James W. Cook of Wivenhoe

  • 1962/1999

    Lighterage work on the rivers Thames and Medway

  • 1990s

    Used as standby tug at Gravesend

  • 1999

    Laid up at Cory's yard at Charlton and sold to present owners

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

More like this

Riverman moored

Registered, built 1955 by Harris, P K & Sons Ltd, Appledore

Ionia - underway

Registered, built 1960 by Scarr, Henry Ltd, Hessle

Cervia at Ramsgate 2021

National Historic Fleet, built 1945 by Hall, Alexander & Company Ltd, Aberdeen.

starboard bow view

Registered, built 1954 by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby