John King (tugboat)

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Tug John King (6731773619).jpg
History
Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
NameJohn King
Port of registryBristol
Builder Charles Hill & Sons Ltd
Launched1935
In service1935
Out of service1994
IdentificationUK official number 163865
StatusMuseum ship in Bristol Harbour
General characteristics
TypeDiesel tug
Tonnage49  GRT
Length65.0 ft (19.8 m)
Beam17.0 ft (5.2 m)
Depth of hold7.1 ft (2.2 m)
Installed power337hp

John King is a diesel tug built in Bristol in 1935 and now preserved by Bristol Museums Galleries & Archives. She is based in Bristol Harbour at M Shed (formerly Bristol Industrial Museum).

Contents

Building

John King was built by Charles Hill & Sons Ltd. [1]

The tug has a steel hull. She is 65.0 ft long, her beam is 17.0 ft, her depth is 7.1 ft and her gross tonnage is 49. Her United Kingdom official number is 163865.

Service

John King was built for C.J. King and Sons Limited. [2] She was the second diesel engined tug built for them after the Volunteer, completed in 1934. [3] She was launched on 21 October 1935 [4] and handed over on 15 November. She was used to tow ships to and from the City Docks until the requirements declined as trade moved to Avonmouth. [5]

Her original Petter engine was replaced by a Lister Blackstone unit in 1962.

Her last job for her original owners was to tow the SS Great Britain from Avonmouth to the City Docks on 6 July 1970, and then to move it into Great Western Dockyard on 19 July.

She was sold to F.A. Ashmead & Son [6] in September 1970 and renamed Peter Leigh before commencing work (alongside the former Gloucester based tug Resolute, which had been renamed Thelm Leigh) on the River Severn towing West African hardwood logs from Avonmouth to Lydney for veneer making. This work ended in March 1977. [7]

During 1978, she was sold again and purchased by Bristol Commercial Ships. She as renamed twice (first as Pride in 1978, and then Durdham in 1986 [1] ) and was based in Bristol whilst undertaking a variety of duties.

Preservation

During 1995 she was purchased by Bristol Museums. She reverted back to her original name and was restored back the appearance she had when working for C.J. King and Sons.

The tug now carries visitors on trips in Bristol Harbour, alongside her fellow vessels Mayflower and Pyronaut.

References

  1. 1 2 "John King | National Historic Ships". www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "The "John King"". Bristol Archives online catalogue. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "The "Volunteer" (Second)". Bristol Archives online catalogue. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Copy negative of photograph of the launch of the John King on 21 October 1935". museums.bristol.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Working Exhibits | M Shed". Bristol Museums. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "John King & Peter Leigh & Durdham (ship)". Bristol Museums Collections. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  7. ↑ Egginton, Stephen (26 March 1977). "Mini docks lose last user". Western Daily Press. p. 11.

51°26′53″N2°35′54″W / 51.44793°N 2.59824°W / 51.44793; -2.59824

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