Steam Tug Brent in need of repair moored at The Backwater Quay at low tide showing orange coiled rope and sailing barge masts


Built for the Admiralty as part of the War effort, the Brent was sold instead to the Port of London Authority to help maintain the Thames as a navigable waterway and to tow lighters and barges full of cargo between merchant ships and warehouses in the London Docks. She did this from 1945 until 1970. Brent is the last surviving steam vessel of the Port of London Authority's fleet and one of only three steam vessels left, of many which were once in use on the River Thames and in the London docks' system. She is one of only three steam TID class tugs left in Britain, of the 182 built for the Admiralty as part of the War Effort mostly by women, using pioneering all welded flate plate construction.


Size: 6144px × 4088px
Photo credit: © Yon Marsh / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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