united towing hull salvage tugs

short slideshow comprising a few of the harbour tugs and ocean salvage tugs of the late great United Towing Company from Hull England. 3 of the ocean tugs were requisitioned for the Falklands war in 1982 and as a result 2 of uniteds crew members were awarded medals for their courage in the conflict, a point many local people don't know of. Even though the falklands war has been in the press for its 25th anniversary, our local heroes get no mention so this slideshow is dedicated to the tugmen of hull.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• united
• towing
• hull
• salvage
• falklands
• tugs
• norland
• salvageman
• irishman
• englishman
• lloydsman
• tradesman
• 2para
• dead
• bod

[ks2bratz]

could you tell me what the first piece of music is? it sounds familiar but i can't think of what it is. very haunting melody

[robmason23]

Hi ks2bratz, it is called Ashokan Farewell by a somewhat unknown american composer called Jay Ungar. I love this track and get some real grief from my better half cos she hates it.

[raydpo]

Excellent stuff, brought back many memories.

Ex Hull tugman Ray Jordan

[robmason23]

Ahoy there and thanks Ray, this one is just a little test run until i can get loads of photos of the crews and stuff. Safe trip, regards Rob

[ks2bratz]

Very Nice :-)

[robmason23]

thanks very much. its just a taster as I am trying to get hold of more pictures of the tows and especially the crews, so if any ex UTC men are looking, send me some photos to copy please.

[mcebe]

Great Vid, I worked on Lady Constance after she caught fire in 2000. I was impressed by the size and power of the vessle and often sat on deck during her sea trials to get back to working standards.

[shaunofegg]

Anyone remember David Hart. He was a friend of my fathers and allowed me on board one day with his son when we where..? Well, I remember the day. Britannia the royal Yacht came into King George Docks with her escort HMS Malcolm and good Job the Queen was arriving by train later in week because Btitania collided with side of Locks and paint was peeling off ! soon got that sorted. I think we were aboard either 'Tidesman' Priestman' or 'Yorkshireman' and I recall Captain Hart being amused by it

[paulgaryharrison]

The first bit of music is off an Album called The civil war,Ashokan Farewell and is on the Elektra label.

[ptjazz1]

did anyone know a indan man called carl or kali he worked for united towing in hull he also used to ride a big motor bike

[porpoisefathom]

Hi--this is great! well done and you couldn't have used better music..kudo's...I love tugboats!..i worked on them on the Canadian great lakes....

[bettsi007]

D. Betts was indeed awarded the BEM for outstanding bravery way above that expected of a merchant seaman at times of war. However it was not Danny it was his younger and better looking brother Dennis, at the time Danny was a master with UTC but did not go to the Falkland's, Dennis was a young deckhand on the Irishman. Dennis never speaks of his bravery and is very modest when asked about it. As his nephew i wanted to put the record straight. A true hero in my eye's.

[nospamformartin]

Nice video. "if only" digital cameras were available then!.

I made one short trip in the early 1970's on Englishman as a sparky to cover for someone who went sick. Loch Ewe to Montreal.

My father worked in the office for many years - Stan Taylor.

[rodosallyb]

There is no greater feeling in the world than knowing you can take on all that the sea has to throw at you and win.

When you are just over 30 years old and in command of the biggest and toughest ships that were ever designed. Its a privalidge to be with such people.

A Big thank you to the British seamen I worked with during this era.

You came from all parts of the UK from Orkney to Sark.

You were and are the best bar none.

Thank You

[rodosallyb]

Toisa was next.

Captian on Straffarrar, Lion. Panther,Conquerer and Puma.

A period overseas with BUE when I was Captain of Aura (UT 704)

And then back in the North Sea with SMS, to finish off my seagoing carreer.

Now a Pilot at the Port of London.

The best days of my life were spent on board the big tugs and OSV's.

[rodosallyb]

Great Tribute to the men of United Towing.

I came in late to UT. I was there during the SMS phase. Skipper on Scotsman, Serviceman, Guardsman and Englishman.

Started tuggie life with Alexander Towing ( Swansea) in the early 80's as A/B on Margam, Mumbles, Hendon and Indefatigable.

Went on to Offshore Marine/Zapata on Cromarty ,Shetland,Regal, Anglia ,Mercia and Dee Shore/ Service.

Captain on Cambridge, Dee, Mercia and Cumbria Service.

Then on to OIL Champion and Osprey.

Next