Name Plaudit

The motor tug PLAUDIT was constructed in 1951 by J. Pollock & Sons Co. LTD for use by the Port of London Authority along with sister ship PLASHY. The hull, kept original to date, is of riveted steel construction. Whilst originally fitted with a 90HP 3-cylinder Crossley Brothers engine, she was later fitted with a Gardner 6lxb in 1975. 

PLAUDIT is also fitted with a single cylinder Russell Newbery auxiliary engine driving, through a friction clutch on one side, a vertical duplex plunger type general service pump and on the other, a Hamworthy compressor (unfortunately no longer present). She has had a few alterations over the years, the most noticeable of which being the wheelhouse. Originally designed and operated without a wheelhouse, by the early 80's a small flat roof wheelhouse was added. Some time after that, the larger more complex wheelhouse structure (currently fitted) was added.

Beyond the wheelhouse, few other alterations have been made on deck. The addition of a safety guardrail was made in the early 2000's by Edmund Nuttall LTD. PLAUDIT was owned by the Port of London Authority from her construction in 1951 to 1990, when she was purchased by J. Martin Construction for use until 2001. Then, she again changed hands to Edmund Nuttall LTD. In 2015 she was again sold to G. T. Rochester Plant LTD where after some use she was sold again to her current owner in 2025.