In 2009 TID 164 sank at her mooring in Chatham, Although it wasnt the first time in her life that she had got her plates wet, this time it was decided that the state of the ship as a whole was in dire need of a complete restoration and refit. The 65 years had taken its toll on her.
The Crew / Volunteers decided to form the group, "The Friends of TID 164", and raise funds to start restoring her. We knew it may take a couple of years to complete, But as time went on and more damage was revealed the years went by.
The Crew / Volunteers decided to form the group, "The Friends of TID 164", and raise funds to start restoring her. We knew it may take a couple of years to complete, But as time went on and more damage was revealed the years went by.
The Hull
The First thing to do was to repair the hull.
One of the welds had split in the area between the boiler room and the engine room.
This was duly repaired and the Chine was strengthened as well.
We cleaned the Hull and gave a coat of primer before a top coat.
Aft cabin
The aft cabin was stripped back to the bulkheads, which were then preserved and repainted before rebuilding the bunks and cupboards.
Deck and hatches
Paint was removed from the superstructure, repair to the damaged areas, and repainted.
Smoke Box
The smoke box was badly corroded and was rebuilt with new steel.
The funnel
The funnel although completed at the same time as the smoke box was also very corroded as was the plate it sat on.
We supported the funnel below and above on deck before removing the main support plate. This we did in quadrants in order not to put too much strain on the funnel above. After the plate was replaced the lower funnel was removed each section being replaced with new steel as it was removed.
We had the steel delivered for the funnel pre rolled and was able to refit without any problem. Then just a trim up and welded before raising the funnel to its upright position again.
Because of our working hours aboard, the whole project (including the smoke box), took 18 months to complete.
We supported the funnel below and above on deck before removing the main support plate. This we did in quadrants in order not to put too much strain on the funnel above. After the plate was replaced the lower funnel was removed each section being replaced with new steel as it was removed.
We had the steel delivered for the funnel pre rolled and was able to refit without any problem. Then just a trim up and welded before raising the funnel to its upright position again.
Because of our working hours aboard, the whole project (including the smoke box), took 18 months to complete.
Engine, room and pumps.
The pumps and the engine were restored, taking off years of paint on the pumps brought out features that had previously been lost.
We also restored some of the valves and taps that were found in the bilges.
Also the gauges were restored.
We also restored some of the valves and taps that were found in the bilges.
Also the gauges were restored.
Electrics.
New wiring throughout the ship, Most of the original lights were beyond repair so modern bulk head lighting has been used, With a dual power supply we can run both 240V and 12V into the same light using LED for the 12V system
One of the original lights. Before and after restoration.
New main fuse box now located in the Galley. (with the restored light fitted.)
More deck work.
Every colour tells a story:
Black is the Bitumen coating put on to protect the steel when she was built.
Grey is The Royal Naval colour. Her first Service.
Brown is Port of London Authority, When she was leased to the P.O.L. in 1947.
Grey again when she returned to Royal Naval Service.
Light Brown is the first private ownership colours. International Towing ltd.
Cream is todays colour, and many coats.
In some places the paint was nearly 5mm thick.
In some areas water had penetrated behind the paint causing corrosion, so the only remedy was to strip the paint back to the steel.
Black is the Bitumen coating put on to protect the steel when she was built.
Grey is The Royal Naval colour. Her first Service.
Brown is Port of London Authority, When she was leased to the P.O.L. in 1947.
Grey again when she returned to Royal Naval Service.
Light Brown is the first private ownership colours. International Towing ltd.
Cream is todays colour, and many coats.
In some places the paint was nearly 5mm thick.
In some areas water had penetrated behind the paint causing corrosion, so the only remedy was to strip the paint back to the steel.
Navigation lights.
The navigation lights restored and rewired.
As were the light boxes.
Fire Fighting
A secondary role of a tug is that of fire fighting, TID164 is fitted with one hydrant on the port side. There is pipework to the starboard side but it is capped off and was never fitted.
We serviced the hydrant by stripping it down to its component parts, cleaning and reassembling again.
We serviced the hydrant by stripping it down to its component parts, cleaning and reassembling again.
oil heater
The oil heater chamber.
This chamber would be full of heated steam warming the oil prior to it passing through the oil pumps and into the furnace.
Unfortunately after years of use some corrosion had occurred this was cleaned and a new drainage pipe was installed as non was fitted.
This chamber would be full of heated steam warming the oil prior to it passing through the oil pumps and into the furnace.
Unfortunately after years of use some corrosion had occurred this was cleaned and a new drainage pipe was installed as non was fitted.
The coiled oil pipe through which the oil flows inside the heat chamber had corroded right through at the bottom end,
so it was cut away and a new section fitted before being placed back into the chamber.
so it was cut away and a new section fitted before being placed back into the chamber.
with the area cleaned and the cylinder sealed again, the serviced valves
and oil supply pipes were reconnected.
