HISTORIC TUG
The end seems to be close for the steam tug Cervia, with her owner declaring his reluctant intention to deconstruct the vessel unless a suitable alternative solution can be found by November.
An ocean-going Empire class steam tug built by Alexander Hall & Co of Aberdeen in 1945-46 for the Ministry of War Transport as Empire Raymond, she was initially used to help service the Maunsel Sea Forts and other defences in the Thames Estuary. Subsequently she joined the William Watkins fleet and was stationed in Iceland before moving back to the Thames.
Purchased for working preservation in 1972 by the current owner, she remained in service for another ten years before ending her operational days in 1983 at Ramsgate, by when she was the last steam tug in active service in the UK. There she remains, lying in Smeaton’s Dock, where she has been part of the East Kent Maritime Museum since 1985.