H.M.S. TURMOIL

TURMOIL (With her Leith Registration on the stern bulwark)

Ship No 337

Turmoil was the seventh and perhaps most well known of the eight ship order for Ocean Going Diesel salvage tugs, all of the “Bustler Class” With Turmoil being the seventh of the class built by Henry Robb in Leith.

They were required to carry out salvage and rescue work along with convoy escort duties.

They were large and very powerful tugs put to good use during World War II and for long after as well. A fleet of the “Bustler class tugs along with others were stationed in Campbeltown on the Scottish coast during the long “Battle of the Atlantic”

Nicknamed the “Campbeltown Navy” they were instrumental in saving many thousands of tons of shipping badly needed for the war effort against Hitler’s Germany and they also saved countless seamen from the ravages of the U-Boats.

She was 1,100 tons with a length overall of 190 feet and beam of 38 feet and six inches, with a draught of 19 feet.

Laid down 14 Jul 1944

Launched 11 May 1945

Commissioned Jul 1945

Powered as all the “Bustler Class” with 2 x Atlas Polar 8 cylinder diesel engines producing, 1 shaft, 4,000 BHP

This ship became famous for the unsuccessful attempt to salvage the US Merchant Flying Enterprise in January 1952. After a long and adventurous working life she was sold for scrap in 1986.

“Bustler Class Rescue Tugs”, were to have a crew of 42 men, and powered by Diesel engines with a single screw, producing 4,000 hp. giving a top speed of 16 knots.


They had an armament of 1 x 3” AA Gun, 1 x 2 pounder AA. Along with 2 x 20 mm AA guns and 4 machine guns, all for anti-aircraft defence.

New book on the mighty Bustler Class built at Leith, just click on the picture of the cover to go to the book.