The colourful tugboat Kennet was built in 1931 by James Pollock Sons & Co for the Thames Conservancy. This was David Mitton's personal tugboat, painted in the Star Tug livery to promote the series.
Powered initially by a 3-cylinder 54bhp Gardner and later by 4-cylinder 72bhp Crossley Diesel engine, she was used for many years towing maintenancers on the river above Oxford. She towed mud barges from the dredger to where the mud could be dumped on the Bank. Other work included moving a piling rig, clearing away river-obstructing-trees & dragging floating debris off the weirs. She also towed the lock keepers' coal barge.
In 1973, she was rescued from an Iver, Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal scrap yard, starting a Thames pleasure craft life, based at windsor & visiting Henley. In the early 80s, she was reused for occasional towing for Brentford's E.C. Jones & sons' boatyard, & for many years loaned to Gloucester Docks & the Sharpness canal Museum by David Mitton. She was sold in September 2008 and has been moved to Sawley on the River Trent. Now based in the North West, around the River Weaver, and fitted with a 4-cylinder 56 bhp Gardner.
Kennet was one of many vessels to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Paegent in 2012.
Gallery
