Admiralty tug

Admiralty tugs were tugboats built for and operated by the Royal Navy during the 20th century. These were vessels built to Admiralty specifications and in specific classes during the First and Second World Wars. They were built to meet the Navy’s demand for auxiliary vessels and to supplement the civilian tugs requisitioned by the Admiralty for war service.

First World War
At the outbreak of the First World War the RN owned seven tugs, all civilian vessels purchased as required, employed in normal tug duties at naval ports.

When war commenced the Admiralty put in train plans to requisition civilian tugs to meet the need for vessels to work as patrol vessels, minesweepers, anti-submarine warfare vessels and a host of routine duties. In all, over 100 civilian tugs were requisitioned in this way.

There was an increased need for boats to act on the salvage and rescue of ships attacked and damaged on the high seas, for which the civilian fleet was not sufficient. To meet this need the Admiralty placed an order for 64 sea-going tugs to operate in this capacity. These were to a single design, based on a civilian type, and, as they were built by specialist shipyards, incorporated merchant rather than navy features. However it was specified they be armed and equipped with radio.

The main class of Admiralty Tug was the Saint class. Of 64 ordered, 46 were completed and commissioned before the end of hostilities. The second class was the Resolve (also called Rollicker) class, 5 large ocean-going tugs for duty on the high seas, but these were incomplete at the war’s end.

In addition the Admiralty built several classes of small tugs, including 10 Robust class paddle tugs, and 6 West class harbour tugs, and several classes of tugs for special duties. 15 vessels were built to tugboat design for use as boarding vessels in the Thames estuary and another 13 for use in the Mersey. They also built 24 tugs (the Concrete class) employed towing ferro-concrete barges between England and France.

Second World War
In World War II a similar situation arose; the Admiralty again requisitioned civilian tugs and placed orders for a range of Admiralty tugs. In all 117 harbour tugs were brought into war service, including the 10 Robust and 6 West class vessels (built in World War I and now in civilian service) and 101 others of various design. Just two harbour tugs were built for the Admiralty during WWII, the Alligator class

Prior 1939 the RN had built 4 Brigand class rescue tugs for its own use; at the outbreak of World War II a further 74 civilian tugs were requisitioned, including 16 Saint and 5 Rollicker class of WWI vintage, and 53 others. At the same time orders were placed for 21 Admiralty tugs, the Assurance class, the first being delivered in 1940. In 1942 a further 23 Favourite, and 8 Bustler class tugs were built, followed in 1944 by 6 Envoy class tugs.

Most of these vessels were disposed of at the war’s end.

Current situation
Today the Royal Navy employs a number of tugs as part of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service. These include 9 Adept class tractor tugs and 2 specialist submarine-berthing tugs. These vessels are operated by civilian crews under contract.

Characteristics
Admiralty tugs were built to Navy specifications, and standardized where possible to a single design, though this was based on a civilian type. In this they followed the pattern of other auxiliary vessels, such as the Admiralty trawlers, and the Flower class corvettes. They were built by shipyards specializing in tug construction, and thus incorporated merchant rather than navy features, such as an enclosed bridge, and wooden superstructure. However it was specified they be armed and equipped with radio. The First World War vessels had at least one gun, for self-defence, and smoke-generating gear. In World War II they also carried anti-aircraft guns for protection against air attack.

Construction list
One of the builders of these tugs was Henry Robb Ltd. Below is a list of Bustler Class Ocean Rescue/Salvage Tugs built during World War II. These were powered by diesel engines. Built and launched in 1941/42 were:
 * 1941/42
 * HMRT Bustler
 * HMRT Samsonia
 * HMRT Growler
 * HMRT Hesperia

Built in 1944/45 were:
 * 1944/45
 * HMRT Mediator
 * HMRT Reward
 * HMRT Turmoil
 * HMRT Warden