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Towmaster tugs
Title : Towmaster tugs Towmaster tugs
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Source : Shipbuilding in Australia, p. 61
Place Of Creation : Canberra
Publisher : Australian Shipbuilders Association
Date of creation : 1968
Format : Book
Contributor : State Library catalogue
Catalogue record
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Description :

An advertisement for Adelaide Ship Construction and its hydroconic or towmaster tugs. This company was a subsidiary of the Adelaide Steamship Company. Established in 1957 to build tugs for the Australian market, shortly after its establishment Adelaide Ship Construction secured the Australian licence for the 'Hydroconic' hull design patented by Burness, Corlett & Partners, United Kingdom. This new design gave tugs greater bollard pull from a given horsepower. Two years later the company also acquired the Australian licence for the patent for Burness, Corlett and Partners 'Towmaster' design. This increased the pulling power of tugs even more.

Built on the site of the historic Fletcher's Slip, Adelaide Ship Construction launched its first tug in February 1959. More orders were taken and the shipyard site grew rapidly from two acres and one berth to four berths and 6 acres in 1968, and could cater for vessels up to 425 feet long. At this time it employed more than 1000 men. However the yard began operating at a loss due to increasing unionism which slowed production and increased costs. The last tug produced at the yard was Cape York. The yard was closed in August 1973.
Subjects
Related names :

Adelaide Ship Construction

Coverage year : 1968
Period : 1946-1979
Place : Birkenhead
Region : Adelaide metropolitan area
Further reading :
Shipbuilding in Australia [editorial Errol H. Coote] [Canberra: Australian Shipbuilders Association[, 1968
Page, Michael F. Fitted for the voyage: the Adelaide Steamship Company, 1875-1975 Adelaide: Rigby, 1975
Parsons, Ronald. Southern passages: a maritime history of South Australia Netley, S. Aust.: Wakefield Press, 1986
Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-


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