STEAM TUG

Most square rigged merchant sailing ships were not fitted with an engine, so when they reached thier destination the sails were handed, furled and stowed and a harbour Pilot was put aboard the ship.

The Pilot was taken out to the ship in the sailing Pilot Cutter, it was the Pilots job to navigate the sailing ship into port safely.

A steam powered tugboat then towed the ship into port and put the ship alongside the quay or wharf.

Early steam tugs were fitted with paddle side wheels, however when the more efficient screw propellor had been invented the paddle tugs were fazed out.

A PILOT CUTTER

A PADDLE WHEEL STEAM TUGBOAT