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Tugs on the Thames and tug propulsion
Skippering a tug was my dream as an apprentice. There is always something about tugs to stir the soul.
They are such raw beasts, nothing more than a massive floating ship engine with a huge propellor.
Ahh, the Danube VII.
What a magnificent vessel. This was always 'MY' tug. I would watch her go by and dream of skippering her.
The tug Sun XVIII towing the Cutty Sark. Cutty Sark carries two black ball shapes, one above the other. Look carefully just in front of the foremost mast.
This is to tell other craft that she is not under her own power or control.
In the wheelhouse of Sun XVIII there is a warning notice that
"This tug is fitted with a left-handed propeller."
On a single prop craft the prop is usually right handed. The prop will provide forward motion as it 'screws' through the water, but will also provide a slight sideways thrust due to the 'paddle wheel' effect. The larger the prop in relation to the vessel the greater the effect.
This makes quite a difference to the handling of a tug with its relatively massive propellor.
As wth everything, you become acustomed to the handling and subconciously compensate. Jumping into a tug that handles the opposite of what you are used to can lead to all sorts of interesting situations!
Tug propulsion has made progress through the years.
The Schottel system as above and right gives much greater manouverabilty over traditional prop and rudder vessels.
Probably the best system for a tug is Voith Schneider Propulsion.
This has been around for nearly 90 years. Woolwich Free Ferry vessels have it fitted, one at either end.
The Voith 'Water Tractors' made their appearance in the Royal Docks in the sixties, They were immediately recognised as the answer to the problem of tugs capsizing after being 'Girted' (being pulled sideways by a midship towing hook). By placing the propellor forward the hook can be placed aft and this allows the tug to line up with the tow rope. It is like having a tow rope with a prop on the end which can be moved in any direction. The PLA very kindly allowed our apprentices to "have a go".
