spadefoot Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 On a wander today I spotted a tug called Olton. I like the more industrial looking boats but I don't know much about them. So what can people on here tell me about this boat? For example, when built, what engine, where was it used? Anything really. Thanks chaps & Ms chaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetman Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 (edited) Not 100% sure but I think Olton is a sister ship to this Vessel: Ex British Waterways tug used on River Lee. http://riverthames.sosugary.com/displayimage.php?pid=29 Edited November 11, 2016 by magnetman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 This film is proof of the adage, the more people are watching you, the more likely you are to cock up a manoeuvre. The rescued boat is an interesting craft - a modified centre-cockpit Springer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadefoot Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Brilliant. Saw the link to the video but don't have the data allowance for streaming, maybe another day. Yes Magnetman, that tug looks almost identical. So what is a HL6A,? I'm guessing 6 pot air cooled. It's strayed a little way off the Avon but I cant see it getting much further with that draft. Cheers folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetman Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Brilliant. Saw the link to the video but don't have the data allowance for streaming, maybe another day. Yes Magnetman, that tug looks almost identical. So what is a HL6A,? I'm guessing 6 pot air cooled. It's strayed a little way off the Avon but I cant see it getting much further with that draft. Cheers folks. Interesting its on the Avon. I wonder if it went there by water? (Limehouse-Thames-Reading-K&A). I knoa tugs are deep for obvious reasons but AFAIK it was used on the River Lee so it might not actually be 4ft6 draught. I don't know what the depth over cills is on the K&A ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadefoot Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Yeah, don't know how it would've got there. Hanham weir is on the Avon. Mind you, if it was built in Lowestoft, how did it get to the Lee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 There was one at Gloucester museum can't remember which one. Years ago I did a tug driving course on that one and Kennet Great day out I don't know what the depth over cills is on the K&A ? anything over 3'7" ,1.1m and you would struggle through the western concrete section on the K&A unless of course they have raised the water level.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetman Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Yeah, don't know how it would've got there. Hanham weir is on the Avon. Mind you, if it was built in Lowestoft, how did it get to the Lee? Good question. Perhaps it was towed round the coast. Pretty well designed for rough water - if it was just a shell with no portholes or doors it would probably tow fine even in rough water. Or could it possibly have been lifted into a coaster or something and shipped round ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 So what is a HL6A,? I'm guessing 6 pot air cooled. Interestingly if you Google "Lister HL6A" just about every hit relates to this video, or in some other way to "Naseby". Many of the usual "old engine" databases don't seem to list it. (where it is listed it is generally as HL6, rather than HL6A) In one of the comments on a video Mike says.... "A 6 cylinder air cooled Lister engine in the Ex-BW tug Naseby. The serial number is 001, so must make it's build date 1983. It develops 101 HP at 2500 RPM.", but the bit of the video that shows the data plate isn't clear. I couldn't see evidence of an 001 serial number - it looks to have a "proper" serial number to me, that I couldn't read. The data plate certainly contains "HL6A - 36", which if it worked like some other engines might indicate a 1986 build date (1950 + 36 = 1986). I'm not sure what Mike's evidence is for the 1983 claim. Actually a reference I have found indicates HL6s were built between 1983 and 1991, so not a particularly old engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek R. Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Yeah, don't know how it would've got there. Hanham weir is on the Avon. Mind you, if it was built in Lowestoft, how did it get to the Lee? Stuck it on a lorry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Stuck it on a lorry? Not sure they need sticking on. Gravity and straps seem to work better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadefoot Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Not sure they need sticking on. Gravity and straps seem to work better... Bugger, wish I'd known that before I moved my boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Brightley Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 One of the tugs is shown on trial here: http://collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/bw192.3.2.3.12.1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Hogg Posted November 13, 2016 Report Share Posted November 13, 2016 (edited) The "Naseby" was and is a very fine boat as were its sisters. All GU tugs built for tugging were named after areas and towns next to the GUC, this extended to the Grand Union (Shipping) Ltd whose ships bore familiar names. Edited November 13, 2016 by Laurence Hogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 Tug Olton just popped up on facebook as it is for sale Marketplace – Small river tug | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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