Steam Tug Barking
BARKING was built in 1928 by Jas Pollock Sons & Co Ltd at Faversham for the Gas Light & Coke Co yard No. 1304 LOA 54ft BMLD 13ft DMLD 6ft. Original engine Bolinder 120bhp hot bulb semi diesel.
BARKING was used at Beckton for the Gas Light and Coke Works until about 1970, then sold on to other users; by 1979 it was at Belsize boatyard in Southampton in a derelict state and with all machinery removed.
Ian Woollett purchased this bare hull in 1979 and rebuilding commenced, first at Ferrol Road Boatyard, Gosport and then at his premises in Flaunden. A new scotch boiler was installed and an ex Admiralty Harbour Service Launch engine, compound 8”+ 16” x 8” together with other machinery.
The tug was relaunched at Gosport in September 2004. Sea trials were undertaken in 2005 with a trip to Teignmouth. In the following years trips were made to the Isle of Wight, Faversham and the Thames. BARKING is now part of the VIC 96 Trust and berthed at Chatham.
BARKING was used at Beckton for the Gas Light and Coke Works until about 1970, then sold on to other users; by 1979 it was at Belsize boatyard in Southampton in a derelict state and with all machinery removed.
Ian Woollett purchased this bare hull in 1979 and rebuilding commenced, first at Ferrol Road Boatyard, Gosport and then at his premises in Flaunden. A new scotch boiler was installed and an ex Admiralty Harbour Service Launch engine, compound 8”+ 16” x 8” together with other machinery.
The tug was relaunched at Gosport in September 2004. Sea trials were undertaken in 2005 with a trip to Teignmouth. In the following years trips were made to the Isle of Wight, Faversham and the Thames. BARKING is now part of the VIC 96 Trust and berthed at Chatham.
