National Post, Toronto, Ontario, 27 Sep 1947, Sat Page 22. Owen Sound Co. Building Tugs For Indo-China
The first shipment of a total of ten Canadian-built welded tugs being built by Russel Brothers Ltd., Owen Sound, Ont., under contract to the French Supply Council is now on its way, according to Canadian Shipping & Marine Engineering News (Maclean-Hunter). These tugs were designed and are being built for service on the lengthy rivers of French Indo-China which relies chiefly on its two main rivers for transportation.
Each of the tugs is about 30 tons, with a length of 45 ft and a beam of 12 ft. 6 in. Loaded draft is 5 ft. The power of its Diesel engine is sufficient to handle a 300-ton barge and the tugs can run at eight knots without a load.
Main propulsion is provided by a Diesel engine rated at 120 hp at 600 rpm shaft speed, turning a a 40-in. tow type propeller. Main Diesels were built by the Civian Engine Works, Vancouver. In addition an auxiliary four-cycle gasoline engine drives an air compressor for starting the main engine, and also to operate a fire pump.
Fuel oil tanks can carry 700 gallons, sufficient for about 95 hours running.
Each tug is delivered complete with all towing equipment including hawsers, fenders, etc., and with shipping cradle and lifting slings for transportation. A complete kit of engine spares is included in each tug's equipment, since they will be operating at such a distance from supply sources, it is reported.
Transportation of the tugs from the Owen Sound plant where they were built to Saigon, the chief port of French Indo-China involves an overland journey of 3,000 miles across canada plus an ocean voyage on the deck of a freighter for 9,000 miles. They are being shipped by way of Winnipeg and Edmonton to Prince Rupert, B.C., for shipment by ocean vessel.
Russel Brothers reports that negotiations have just been completed on a contract to supply further numbers of similar tugs for use in French Equatorial Africa, in and around the harbor of Douals, in the Cameroons, Canadian Shipping and Marine Engineering News reports. Delivery of this order is scheduled for the end of 1947.
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