Previous name:
Subsequent name: River Eskimo
Official Number: 168777
Class: Miscellaneous Harbour Tug – MAPLE Class
Pennant No: A393
Laid down:
Builder: R Dunston Ltd at Thorne
Launched: 9 November 1941
Into Service: 21 December 1941
Base Port: Greenock
Out of service: 1958 sold commercially
Fate: 1964 Broken up at Southampton
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: There were a number of vessels which fell into the category of Miscellaneous Harbour Tugs which all belonged to different Classes and which were based at various Naval Bases for general duties
9 November 1941 launched by R. Dunston Ltd, Thorne as Yard Nr: 361 named EMPIRE PLANE for the MoWT
20 December 1941 at Goole registered as EMPIRE PLANE with entry 9/41 in the Registry
21 December 1941 completed and placed under management of France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co Ltd, Newcastle
1943 managed by Coast Lines Ltd, London
11 February 1945 sank whilst berthed alongside at Greenock but remained upright.
16 February 1945 raised and repaired by James Lamont & Co., Greenock
1946 owner became Ministry of Transport
1947 under the auspices of RNO, Clyde
8 April 1949 transferred to the Boom Defence Officer Clyde civilian manned under RFA conditions
9 April 1949 Captain F Trainer appointed as Master and Mr A M Miller appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 June 1949 vide AFO 1872/49 allocated to Greenock as her Base Port
19 April 1951 Mr A Docherty appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
31 August 1953 at Portsmouth for refit then placed in reserve
5 April 1957 on the Disposal List at Portsmouth
13 February 1958 and 20 February 1958 offered for sale ‘as lying’ at HM Dockyard Portsmouth in The Times on these dates
April 1958 sold to Shipping & Freighting Services Co Ltd, London; renamed RIVER ESKIMO
1964 sold for demolition at Southampton