Swansea and Port Talbot Docks History
Swansea’s First Tractor Tugs
The tractor tugs Burma and Duhlia arriving off Mumbles Head in tow of the tug Mumbles in 1994
Just entering the bay
Both these vessels were built for the Port of London Authority (P.L.A.) By Richard Dunston of Hessle/Thorn on the Humber in 1965. The Langland started life as the Plasma and had been renamed Burma when A.T.C.L. acquired London Tugs in 1975. When Howard Smith acquired A.T.C.L. in 1992 she was surplus to requirements on the Thames and transferred to Swansea. The Caswell started life as the Platoon and had been renamed Duhlia when bought by London Tugs.
Both vessels were towed to Swansea by the Mumbles and underwent dry docking on their arrival.
Both vessels on the blocks in the Duke of Edinburgh Dry Dock with the Voith Schneider units visible.
After 4 years working in Swansea both these vessels were transferred to Howard Smith (Humber) and based in Grimsby, where the Langland was renamed Lady Joan and the Caswell renamed Theresa.
Both tugs being made ready to leave Swansea in tow of the Lady Debbie. (photo Brian Murphy)
Photo courtesy of Jack Gaston