Registration number 3836
Status Registered
paula.palmer

Previous names

  • 1961 - 1975 SUN XXIII
  • 1975 - 1985 SUNWIND

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Tug
Location London
Vessel type Tug
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Philip & Sons, Dartmouth
Built in 1961
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
24.44 feet (7.45m)
Depth
12.27 feet (3.74m)
Length: Overall
93.77 feet (28.58m)
Tonnage: Gross
143.00

History

The former SUN XXIII was built for ship towage uses on the Thames. The SUNCREST (ex Sun XXIII) is the only remaining tug of that kind on the Thames. Built in 1961 by Phillip & Sons at Dartmouth, she was built for the purpose of ship towage work on the River Thames. At the time, her 1080bhp Mirrlees Blackstone engine meant she was one of the most powerful tugs in service. SUN XXIII was built for W.H.J Alexander Ltd (Sun Tugs) and operated with them from 1961 until 1968. In 1975 she was sold to Alexandra Towing Company who continued to use her for ship towage work until selling Sun XXIII to Havalet International Ltd who renamed her SUNWIND for a brief period. 

In 1985 she was sold to S&H Towage Ltd (Merv Street) and renamed SUNCREST. In 1990 the tug was sold to General Marine (P Duggan) who operated the tug until 2005. In 2005, the tug was laid up and advertised for sale, she set idle until 2011 when she was due to be used by S.Walsh Ltd on hire. For the first time in years the tug was repainted, and the main engine fired up on her moorings. She was towed to Tilbury dock but later laid up again before being returned to General Marine at Silvertown. 

Since 2012, the tug has been repainted and kept as tidy as possible to keep her from falling into disrepair by volunteers keen to see her preserved and saved for future generations whilst it was hoped a buyer could be found. 

In 2019 the SUNCREST was brought to the attention of the current owner of Urban Space Management and in February 2020 the tug was sold by P Duggan and towed to Trinity Buoy Wharf to be preserved for future generations to see and enjoy. She is moored there alongside SS ROBIN, KNOCKER WHITE, VARLET, and DIANA. 

Key dates

  • 1961

    Built by Philip & Son Ltd of Dartmouth, Devon, for W. H. J. Alexander Ltd., London

  • 1969

    Sold to London Tugs Ltd (Ships Towage)

  • 1975

    Owners acquired by the Alexandra Towing Company Ltd, Liverpool

  • 1975

    Sold to Haverlet International Ltd, Guernsey and renamed SUNWIND

  • 1985

    Sold to S & H Towing, Gravesend, and renamed SUNCREST

  • 1990

    Sold to General Marine (P Duggan) who operated the tug until 2005

  • 2005

    Laid up and advertised for sale, she sat idle until 2011 when she was due to be used by S. Walsh Ltd on hire

  • 2012

    Conservation work by volunteers starts, keen to see her preserved and saved for future generations whilst it was hoped a buyer could be found. Works included repainting and keeping SUNCREST as tidy as possible to keep her from falling into disrepair

  • 2020

    Purchased by current owner and towed to Trinity Buoy Wharf to be preserved for future generations to see and enjoy

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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