directorpaddle

Director was launched in 1956, the first of a class of seven diesel electric paddle tugs that were built for the Royal Navy to be operated by the RMAS. Unusually for paddle steamers, their paddles could either be linked together or independently controlled, and this made them highly manoeuvrable. The low profile of these powerful tugs made them ideal for handling aircraft carriers with their characteristic large overhangs. Although the tugs were fitted for fire fighting, salvage and oil pollution spraying, towing winches were not fitted, and they were not used for long-distance towing, largely because of the vulnerability of their paddles to any floating debris in the open sea. The plan was produced from the original Shipbuilder's drawings of Director, and it also contains some model construction information. Most of the class were modified in service, and both as-built and the later updated versions are detailed on the plan. Although all of the inward-sloping bulwarks are moulded on our hull, the paddle boxes are not included. The first photo shows an excellent model with intricate feathering paddles, independently driven by a pair of Monoperms. This model depicts Director as originally built with none of the later modifications, and it can be compared with the second photo which shows the full size Director all shiny and new, sailing under the red ensign in the river Clyde on Builder’s trials.