SAR@H Tug J.R. More

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22 June 2011 at 14:12 #31108
Ralph Wilmot
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@ralphwilmot61142
I am scratching building the Durban based Tug J.R. More 1:48 Scale using the altered plans of the F.C. Sturrock, which also used to be based in Durban.

J.R. More is now docked in Durban at the Maritime Museum and well worth visiting if you ever visiting Durban. One of the very last Steam Tugs that survives.

I would be very interested if anyone else is building or thinking of building JR or FC and any other SAR&H Steam tugs.

I have put 9 progress photographs in the ‘My Photos’ section and also have photographs of J.R. More which I would happy to send on.

Edited By Ralph Wilmot on 22/06/2011 14:19:02
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22 June 2011 at 14:12 #6715
Ralph Wilmot
Participant
@ralphwilmot61142
Scratching Building JR More or FC Sturrock
24 June 2011 at 15:15 #31140
B B
Participant
@bb42502
it is a pity I did not know of of your build earlier because I am also building the J R More except on a scale od 1/32 or 3/8th of an inch to the foot. I am still only in the stage of making my plug, but the detail going onto the hull is very extensive.

Regards Bernhard
25 June 2011 at 08:47 #31148
Ralph Wilmot
Participant
@ralphwilmot61142
Hello Bernhard,

Yes we have been in email contact before about 6 months ago. I have been building my model of JR just over 1 year now.

Good luck with the 1:32 scale JR should be a good looking model with your attention to detail.

I think JR with the SAR&H colours was the best looking steam Tugs ever made and as one of the last big steam tugs, was the ultimate perfect looking steam tug and a good reason that she can be preserved. She like the other SAR&H tugs were amazing to watch at work, when arriving and departing SA ports, which I was lucky enough to see and remember at CT, PE, EL & Durban.

Hopefully the Durban Maritime Museum will receive enough support to maintain JR More and be able to restore her condition and original colours.

Ralph W
25 June 2011 at 12:16 #31156
B B
Participant
@bb42502
Ralph, I recieved a whole series of photos of the J R More as she looks today. Sadly she is in a very bad state of repair and the museums council resposible for her care are just not doing their job.

The woodwork all over is in a bad state and she is rusting all over. I think it best to remember her as she was in her working days, a fine and beautifull tug well kept and well loved by all those who saw her and even who worked on her. I was there the days in 1982 when she was in the floating dry dock and had all the openings to the sea welded shut and her props and bunkers removed. I was also lucky enough to have met the last crew team of the tug before they were posted to new commissions or going on retirement.

Regards Bernhard.
11 February 2012 at 17:45 #33351
Ralph Wilmot
Participant
@ralphwilmot61142
Hello Bernard

Hope you are keeping well and progressing on your JR More build, would like to see any photos when you make progress.

My JR More is finished now, apart from a few small fittings still to be added. Have now sailed many times and she performs very well on the water, turns well though more control via motor control than by the rudder. Really pleased with the results and she looks brilliant on the water- Like the original, which was an amazing sight back in 1968.

I would like to scratch build another SA tug but cannot find one that looks as good as JR More or with SA Tug plans to match, but will keep looking.

Ralph Wilmot
13 February 2012 at 08:23 #33361
B B
Participant
@bb42502
Hallo Ralph,

I have not been able to do much on my J R More. I have added the rubbing band around the hull and then pinned moist thin cardbord onto the hull keeping it very snug to the hull. When it dried it took on the hull shape perfectly. I then marked out the plating. I have had to shelve her and continue the work on the Duke Of York restoration.

I have a full set of plans of the TS McEwen tug. She also was a good loking tug.

Regards,

Bernhard
24 April 2012 at 19:24 #34118
Ralph Wilmot
Participant
@ralphwilmot61142
What a pity to see J.R. More deteriorating. This is such a shame to see the very last of the big South African Steam Tugs in this state.

Here in the U.K. we have the Restoration of CHALLENGE Tug, which has now received retoration funds. Challenge was awarded over £900,000 to help restore the very last of the Thames Steam Tugs.A new boiler will be installed, the steam plant will be restored and the electronic navigation equipment will get an update. "Without the invaluable assistance of the HLF it was likely that, despite the heroic efforts of our volunteers, Challenge would have continued to deteriorate to a point where further restoration would have been impossible"

It is hoped the tug will be restored in time for the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo in 2015.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-17539966

Save J.R. More before it's too late. Come on you South Africans, try to save some of your maritime heritage before that is lost.
25 February 2013 at 21:16 #39388
Ralph Wilmot
Participant
@ralphwilmot61142
Hi All

Regarding J. R. More and her poor state of repair.

I have been advised that JR has now been moved to a repair dock. It is looking hopeful that local interest and good people have found funds to undertake repairs or even some restoration. Will advise when further details are known.

If any Model Buildings or whoever want Photographs of J. R. More taken a couple of year ago – I have about 60 or so which I can make available to anyone who wants them.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you want to have copied.

Regards Ralph

angel

Edited By Ralph Wilmot on 25/02/2013 21:18:26
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