David Marks

Many thanks for the info regarding the length of Progress. Although I am producing the plans for the model, the actual build is some distance away, so it is easy enough the lengthen the model by 1.5 inches. most of the cargo area is made up of bulkheads which are all the same size, so it is just a question of inserting an extra bulkhead. Any info regarding the steering system. I can replicate the ships wheel + chain and quadrant but wonder if BW converted the vessel to the more common tiller steering. Thanks - David Marks

I have obtained from C&RT, some yard drawings for Progress so that I can commence producing my own drawings for a 1:24 scale model but noted that the Overall Length ws defined as 75 feet although the maximum length on the GU South where she operated is 72 feet. Also the drawing give two different cabins i.e. one longer than the other, so I have opted for teh longer version as it will make (to me) a more pleasing model. I have decided to use the BW colour scheme of blue and yellow from when she operated out of Bulls Bridge. I have a couple of question which possibly Tam and Di murrell can answer: Did BW continue to use the wheel steering or did the convert her to tiller steering, also was the winch originally fitted to the bow still in place during her BW days? Finally, attached is my latest model as my previous image of Troy went down well. This one is a freelance gravel pit tug in 1:12 scale. Regards David Marks

My sister and my father went to view the cottage following renovation. Apparently once inside both had problems identifying where they were in relation to the original house. Personally, I wish to remember it as it was and the great times I had there when growing up.

Thank you Derek. Not sure how I managed to mis-spell that name twice within the same posting. Yes my father would have to go "up the Yard" as he called it which was Apsley Maintenance Yard. There were two houses within the Yard with one occupied by Arthur Young who for a long time was the Section Inspector. My father was the tenant at the lock cottage ant Coppermill, Lock 84 for 60 years. He retired in 1989 and passed away last year age 97. Great images by the way.

Regarding BW tug 177. It was used on maintenance on what was known as the Aspley Section which covered from Aspley Maintenance Yard to Cowley Peachey Junction, plus the Slough Arm. As far as I can remember it was "retired" by BW in the early 1960s and purchased by a company (possibly called Harrisons) on the Thames that undertook maintenance work such as piling and replaced by a new build tug called Snowdrop. My father John Marks (BW Maintenance Foreman) always claimed that 177 was a better tug than Snowdrop as it was designed as an icebreaker. I think 177 was skippered by Tom Sibley who then took on Snowdrop and the other tug in use at the time was Sickle skippered by Alf Best. The two skippers were both ex boatmen.

On a previous posting (Page 7) there is a GJCC blueprint with the nav. lights shown but with the Port light slightly higher than the Starboard

Many thanks for those images. Strange that she was fitted with Port and Starboard indication lights but possibly (assuming the model is accurate) these were for river navigation e.g. the Thames .

Does anyone know if Chris Collins managed to get any boatyard drawings for Progress from what would have been at the time British Waterways? I am a keen model boater and would like to model "Progress". I can remember her when she was a tug operated by BW back in the 50s and early 60s operated by Sam Griffiths and Bill Knibbs.