LLOYDSMAN

LLOYDSMAN
Ship No 509

The tug LLOYDSMAN was one of the most powerful tugs of the time that could be called on by the British.

She was even a major player in what was to become known by the British press as the “Cod War” a dispute between the U.K. Government and Iceland over fishing rights. This was a dispute that was to turn pretty violent at times.

The LLOYDSMAN was ordered by United Towing Company Ltd of Hull.

She had a specially designed rudder system which gave her superb manoeuvrability and pulling power.

Built around just one propulsion system with a single screw, she was 2041 grt, and was a pretty special salvage tug at the time.

She had a length between perpendiculars of 67.21 metres, and a beam of 14.172 metres, with a design draught of 8.5 metres.

The LLOYDSMAN was launched from the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb on 19th of September 1971.

You can read a whole lot more about this fine vessel on the new website coming soon.

H.M.S. MEDIATOR

RFA. MEDIATOR

Ship No 335


“Bustler Class” Rescue Tug.

Was a further order for the supply of Four more, Ocean Going Diesel salvage tugs, all of the “Bustler Class” With Mediator being the fifth 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.

Launched 21 Jun 1944

Commissioned 8 Nov 1944

DE-COMMISSIONED from the Royal Navy in 1965.


MEDIATOR was to spend most of her post war time in the Mediterranian and was eventually owned by  Greek interests. She was Re-Named ATLAS.

H.M.S. SAMSONIA

Ship No 322

“Bustler Class” Rescue Tug.

Continuing on the proud tradition of Henry Robb built tugs; her original name was to be “Samson”

Was an order for the supply of Ocean Going Diesel salvage tugs, all of the “Bustler Class” With second of the class being the tug “H.M.S. Samsonia”

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.

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.

She was to complete the longest ever non stop tow of a submarine when towing H.M.S. TURPIN from Jamaica to Portsmouth a distance of some 5,200 Nautical Miles.

The new book is now on pre-order just click on the picture of the cover.

She was launched 1st April 1942 and was to go on to have many wartime adventures.

She was chartered to a Canadian salvage Company after the war and she was involved in many adventures and also had a book written about her many adventures in this dangerous business.

After her return to the Royal Navy she was sold to a Yugoslav salvage Company in 1974.

Bustler and Samsonia together.

H.M.S. BUSTLER

Ship No 321

“Bustler Class” Rescue Tug.

Was an order for the supply of Ocean Going Diesel salvage tugs, all of the “Bustler Class” With the first in class being the tug “H.M.S. BUSTLER”. Designed and built by the Henry Robb shipyard.

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.

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.

She was launched 4th December 1941 and was to go on to have many wartime adventures. His Majesty’s Rescue Tug BUSTLER was used by the Royal Navy until being sold to a Yugoslav Company in 1973. She was still on Lloyd’s register in 1995.

An amazing, working life of more than 50 years. A real testament, to the shipbuilder’s expertise in the design and build of tugs, to ply the oceans of the world in peace and war.

“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.

The new book on the mighty Bustler Class built at Leith, just click on the cover to go to the book.