Steam Tug Cervia for sale.
The Cervia steam tug, part of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum collection, is up for sale.
Built during the war as the steam tug Empire Raymond for the Ministry of War Transport, Cervia is the last sea-going steam tug to survive in UK waters and was also the last to work commercially, being in operation until 1983.
On 25 October 1954 she capsized and sank whilst towing the P&O liner ARCADIA from Tilbury Dock to the landing stage. Tragically, the skipper and five crew were drowned. She was raised two days later and taken to Ramsgate for a refit.
Her last job was as port tug to the new cross-channel ferry service at Ramsgate, providing assistance to ferries in adverse weather conditions.
Cervia has been berthed in John Smeaton's Historic Dry Dock under the care of Ramsgate Maritime Museum - run by the East Kent Maritime Trust - since 1985. She was refitted and repainted in the Watkins colours, and opened to the public. The engine was restored to full working order in the 1990s.
Cervia is listed for sale with ‘price on application’ by Preston Services.
I have fond recollections in 1970/1 of this vessel when she worked on the River Thames for London Tugs at Gravesend, Kent.
Steam Tug Cervia for sale.
The Cervia steam tug, part of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum collection, is up for sale.
Built during the war as the steam tug Empire Raymond for the Ministry of War Transport, Cervia is the last sea-going steam tug to survive in UK waters and was also the last to work commercially, being in operation until 1983.
On 25 October 1954 she capsized and sank whilst towing the P&O liner ARCADIA from Tilbury Dock to the landing stage. Tragically, the skipper and five crew were drowned. She was raised two days later and taken to Ramsgate for a refit.
Her last job was as port tug to the new cross-channel ferry service at Ramsgate, providing assistance to ferries in adverse weather conditions.
Cervia has been berthed in John Smeaton's Historic Dry Dock under the care of Ramsgate Maritime Museum - run by the East Kent Maritime Trust - since 1985. She was refitted and repainted in the Watkins colours, and opened to the public. The engine was restored to full working order in the 1990s.
Cervia is listed for sale with ‘price on application’ by Preston Services.
I have fond recollections in 1970/1 of this vessel when she worked on the River Thames for London Tugs at Gravesend, Kent.