This feature, last revised 3 May 2001, was posted previously but deserves to be reintroduced as a reference source for these small and difficult to trace local tugs.

David Asprey has done a lot of work on firming up the details for the various tugs operated by Smith's Docks on the Tyne and on the Tees. He has had access to certain company information and data (often conflicting) from various people and sources.

Unless anyone has documentary evidence to refute these histories I now regard them as the definitive article; and another addition to accurately chronicling local shipping history.

Having said that, it will also be seen that gaps remain in the particulars, principally concerning the disposal of many of the vessels. If anyone does have definite information to complete the details please let me know.

SMITH’S DOCK CO LTD – Tees and Tyne

WHIMBREL II (1908-1910): ON 113263 23grt 9nrt 57.3 x 10.6 x 6.1ft wood hull; blt 1900 Simpson Strickland & Co, Dartmouth (Yd …); eng Q4cy vert. inv. d-a surf-cond 5”7¼”10¾”16”x7” 15nhp 1scr by shipbuilder; 1900 completed for William Cross, Kingswear, engineer, as WHIMBREL II (reg Dartmouth); 1908 (17 Jun) sold to Smith’s Docks Co, S Shields; 1910 (Jan) sold to Tyne Improvement Commission - registration was closed, but re-opened 1912 at Newcastle as T.I.C. PATROL; 1916 sank after collision, later raised and broken up (registry closed 1918). (Photo as WHIMBRELL II added 3.5.01) [See also additional details at the foot of this page.]

SMITH’S DOCKS (known as SMITH’S DOCKS NO 2, but never officially registered as such) (1910-1938): ON 128810 22grt 0nrt 50.0 x 12.5 x 6.3ft; blt 1910 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 429); eng C2cy d-a vert 9”19” x 12” 20nhp 125ihp 9kn Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1910 (28 Feb) keel laid; 1910 (23 May) launched 1910 (11 Jul) completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg Middlesbrough); 1914 (23 Sep)-1920 (15 Jan) on Admiralty service at Invergordon/Cromarty; 1938 scrapped.

SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 3 (1911-1979): ON 128814 39grt 0nrt 60.2 x 14.0 x 7.2ft 24nhp; blt 1911 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 499); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 24nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1911 (7 Nov) launched; 1912 (10 Jan) completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg Middlesbrough) [but she was already registered as completed in 1911]; 1914 (8 Sep)-1920 (15 Jan) on Admiralty service as MARY at Scapa Flow; 19.. re-engined - 20grt; 1979 transferred to Swan Hunter Shipbuilders , Wallsend, as COB; 1987 sold to Tyne Towage Ltd (Mick Devlin), Dunston-on-Tyne; 1988 sold for conversion to yacht.

SMITH’S HIGH DOCKS NO 1 (1915-195..): ON 134961 27grt 0nrt 50.1 x 14.1 x 6.5ft ; blt 1915 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 610); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 21nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1915 (2 Feb) launched; 1915 (13 Mar) completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg South Shields); 195… sold or scrapped.

SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 1 (1915-c1987): ON 136077 27grt 0nrt 50.1 x 14.1 x 6.5ft; blt 1915 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 611); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 21nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1915 (2 Feb) launched; 1915 (13 Mar) completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg Middlesbrough); 19… steam engine removed & Harbourmaster unit fitted; prev-1982 converted to non-propelled workboat; 1987 donated by British Shipbuilders to the British Maritime League, North East Branch for restoration and display at Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum; circa 1991/2 broken up locally [See also additional details at the foot of this page.]

SMITH’S PONTOONS NO 2 (1915-195…): ON 137372 27grt 0nrt 50.1 x 14.1 x 6.4ft; blt 1915 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 612); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 21nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1915 (22 Nov) launched; 1915 (13 Dec) completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg North Shields); 195… sold or scrapped.

Link to page featured under Local Vessels: SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 4 (1916-197…): ON 136081 27grt 0nrt 50.1 x 14.1 x 6.4ft; blt 1916 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 613); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 21nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1915 (22 Nov) launched; 1916 completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg Middlesbrough); 197… sold or scrapped.

SMITH’S BULL RING DOCKS NO 3 (1916-1970): ON 137381 27grt 0nrt 50.1 x 14.1 x 6.5ft; blt 1916 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 621); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 21nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1916 (17 Apr) launched; 1916 completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg North Shields); 1970 broken up.

Link to page featured under Favourite Ships: SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 2 (1939-1981): ON 164840 30grt 0nrt 56.0 x 14.6 x 6.4ft; blt 1939 Smith’s Docks Co, South Bank (Yd 1057); eng C2cy d-a vert —“—“x—“ 20nhp Shields Engineering & DD Co, N Shields; 1939 (5 Apr) launched; 1939 completed for Smith’s Docks Co (reg Middlesbrough); 1981 broken up (dismantled by Smith’s Dock, South Bank and hull sold in Jan 1981 to …).

SMITH’S DOCKS NO 5 (1949-19…): ON 169153 14grt 5nrt 36 x 10ft wood hull; blt 1943 at Potsdam-Sacrow; eng diesel; 1943 built for German Navy as ….; 1949 acquired by Smith’s Dock Co (reg Middlesbrough); (further details sought).

SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 3: blt ….; 1980 acquired from ….; 1987 sold …. (further details sought).

Sources: Ron Mapplebeck, Ian Buxton, Neil Mearns, The Tees Packet, Mercantile Navy List, Public Record Office.

David Asprey

david.Asprey@british-shipping.org

I think that the basic fleet is probably now complete (having rechecked my records I am pretty confident that there are no other tugs lurking there from the early years). Some further details may emerge when I have located the original Middlesbrough (and N & S Shields) register books. Meanwhile some editorial notes:

WHIMBREL II: I have no evidence that she worked on the Tyne for SDL (the company's address was of course at S Shields). The TIC material revealed by Neil Mearns points clearly to the Tees. It seems to me that WHIMBREL II was most likely purchased to assist with the construction phase of the new yard at South Bank. I have copied my info on this direct to Neil - and asked him about the 1916 collision. Ian, do you have a Yd No?

SMITH'S DOCKS NO 2 (1910): the inclusion of WHIMBREL II perhaps explains why the first new tug should have been known as "NO 2". It must be noted that her official registered name was undoubtedly always just plain "SMITH'S DOCKS".

SMITH'S DOCKS NO 3 (1911): Ian Buxton, using SDL records I assume, notes completion as 10 Jan 1912, but she had already been registered before the end of 1911, which would have required production of the Builder's Certificate. I don't have details of her re-engining. What happened to her after 1988?

SMITH'S HIGH DOCKS NO 1 (1915): It seems as if the Tyne-based tugs were numbered 1-3, with differing "mid additions". I suspect that she, and SMITH'S PONTOONS NO 2, were scrapped in 1956-58 (their registrations were certainly closed after 1955 and before 1959).

SMITH'S DOCKS NO 1 (1915): Did the rehabilitation project for Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum actually proceed? Where is she now? [See also additional details at the foot of this page.]

SMITH'S DOCKS NO 5 (1943): I have gone looking for an expert on WW2 German Navy small-craft to try to establish her origin. She was still listed as owned by SDL in 1976 (the last Mercantile Navy List to be published).

SMITH'S DOCKS NO 3 (purchased 1980): I still know nothing about her, except your photo!

This has been a most interesting little hunt - thanks, Ron, for triggering it with your excellent website. (Well, I had to leave that bit in, didn't I!?)

David

To quote from the minutes of the Tyne Improvement Commission ".... the Secretary reported that the launch "Whimbrel II" had been inspected in Smith's Dock Company's Dry Dock on the Tees and found to be in order, and that the launch had, therefore, been taken over on behalf of the Commissioners and was brought round to the Tyne on 31st January [1910]."

Previous minutes refer to an offer having been made to Smith's Dock Co. Ltd. to purchase the launch and to the cost of bringing the vessel round from the Tees to the Tyne.

Neil then provided further information to David, coupled with a request for any further information available:

David. Thanks very much your assistance concerning the steam launch WHIMBREL II. The information you have provided is invaluable to my research. The following extract is taken from the Tyne Improvement Commission casualty reports:
"About 2.50 p.m. on the 9th ultimo [December, 1916], the Commissioners' steam launch PATROL , of the River Police Department, was lying moored at South Shields, alongside of the S.S. GLOW WORM, which in turn was lying alongside of the S.S. EDITH, at the Engine Works Quay of J.P. Rennoldson and Sons Ltd, when the S.S. ARGYLE, proceeding up river, took a sheer and collided with the launch which sank at her moorings. Time of tide: about high water slack. Weather: strong east-south-easterly breeze and rain. The launch was lifted on the following day and removed to Howdon Yard."

You might also be interested in the following account which relates to an earlier sinking of the PATROL:

"About 9.20 a.m. on the 3rd instant [August, 1912], the River Police Launch, PATROL was making for the steps at the east end of the Corporation Quay, South Shields, when she was struck by the screw wherry, POODLE, owned by the Tyne-Tees Steamshipping Co. Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The POODLE was leaving the east end of the Harton Coal Co's Staiths, and had proceeded as far as the west end of the staiths when the collision occurred. When it was observed that the PATROL was in a sinking condition, she was taken in tow by the tug, SCALPA and towed inshore. The PATROL, sank just inside of the holding off buoy belonging to the South Shields Corporation, Off the Mill Dam Quay, South Shields, with about 10 feet of water over her at low water, ordinary spring tides. The Commissioners' wreck marking vessel was placed in position. The PATROL was lifted on the 4th instant [August, 1912] by means of Commissioners' craft and after being temporarily repaired, alongside of the Mill Dam Quay, she was removed to Howdon Yard, after which the wreck marking vessel was removed."

There is a small photograph of the PATROL on my web site:
http://www.riverpolicehistory.homestead.com (click on the "Guardians of the Tyne link). (This is the same photo as now reproduced as part of this Smith's Docks item.)

In addition to the PATROL (ex-WHIMBREL II), three other steam launches saw service with the River Tyne Police, namely:
HAWK or T.I.C. HAWK: Constructed for Tyne Improvement Commissioners, 1886 by unknown builders and disposed of in 1910;
T.I.C. PATROL: Constructed for Tyne Improvement Commissioners, 1924 by Philip & Son Ltd., Dartmouth. Transferred to Harbour Master's Dept., 1958. Broken up at Howdon Yard, 1964;
SALVOR or T.I.C. SALVOR: Purchased second-hand from the Admiralty, 1929. Transferred to Harbour Master's Dept., 1954. Withdrawn from service, 1968.

I have a full history of T.I.C. PATROL [2] but would welcome any further information on the HAWK or SALVOR, should you, by any chance, have any.

Thanks once again for you assistance, which is really appreciated.

Neil W. Mearns.

Restoration work started on SMITH'S DOCKS NO. 1. However, whoever was doing this used the cash allocated for the job on other work and then went bust! The vessel was moved to the AMARC yard at Cargo Fleet but, eventually, they needed the space for their own work. Apparently the bow and stern sections were then cut off and stowed somewhere in the yard (where they still may be) and the rest of the vessel broken up. This was about 1991/2 time as far as he can remember.

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To explain the link which you will find on the next pages, Smith's Docks Co. Ltd., operated from South Bank, a small town just outside Middlesbrough. It is, literally, on the south bank of the River Tees. (One import from South Bank was my wife!)