Falklands War tugs take their place in towing company exhibition

MODELS of salvage tugs which served in the Falklands War are among the items that have gone on display at a Hull museum to celebrate the history of what was once world's largest privately owned tug company.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2010, 02:14 BST
Updated 17th Aug 2010, 02:15 BST

Former employees of United Towing have included many privately-owned items of tug memorabilia in an exhibition at the Maritime Museum.

The display has been put together by United Towing and Salvage Society, which formed in June and has more than 70 members.

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It tells the story of a company formed in 1920 when seven Humber tug firms combined to amass a fleet of 36 vessels, before expanding across the world.

In the 1960s and 1970s it was operating a large ocean going tugs service to the oil exploration industry, and in 1982 three of its vessels served in the Falklands conflict – the Salvageman, the Yorkshireman and the Irishman.

Tom Goulder, assistant curator of Maritime History, said: "The exhibition includes models of the Yorkshireman and Seaman which were two well-known United Towing tugs in our permanent displays.

"The personal stories and objects of the society members will allow the story of what was an important maritime industry to be told in more detail."

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