Steam Tugs

United Services

By Keith Banner

Many years ago whilst browsing in the Broad Row I came upon a small art gallery /gift shop. Looking at the paintings etc I saw a pen and ink drawing of a steam tug towing out a three masted ship over the Yarmouth bar. I looked closer and saw it was the United Services. This tug has great family connections as its master at the turn of the century was my great grandfather Henry Robert Riches, born in 1872. The first mate, I believe at that time,  was Arthur Riches, Henrys older brother. Both had a long and distinguished career working the old steam paddle tugs out of Yarmouth. Sadly I never met Henry as he died in 1943, I believe in Birmingham. He went to live with his youngest daughter and her husband after retiring from the sea. I did manage to obtain a photo of him prior to his death - a stately looking person who looked quite fit ,a bit weather beaten,  which was to be expected because the paddle steamer tugs bridge was open and exposed to all conditions.

His old tug was, I believe, sold between the first and second world wars.

 

This page was added by Keith Banner on 20/08/2010.
Comments about this page

Hi Keith, Could this old Pathe News film showing a paddle steamer tug towing a sailing ship through the old Haven Bridge be the United Services? http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=79010 Best wishes Duncan

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 03/09/2010

Hi Keith, Here are some additional links which seem to confirm that the steam paddle tug in the Pathe News film is indeed the 'United Service' (1) Photograph and description of 'United Service' including description of its 1938 rescue and tow of a sailing barge off Great Yarmouth following storm damage: http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/guides/United_Service (2) Photograph of steam paddle tug 'United Service' with passengers working as an excursion steamer http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/utdserviceimg.htm ... including short description of vessel's working life. (3) 'United Service' 2 hour excursion flier http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/unitedserviceflier.htm Best wishes Duncan Kirkwood ... former GYCT Blue Bus driver, as was my friend and former colleague Keith Banner.

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 03/09/2010

After speaking to my aunt ,Henrys grandaughter , I discovered Henry didn't actually retire. The United Services was taken by the navy at the outbreak of the second world war. Henry was deemed to old to serve and thus they went their own seperate ways. As I said Henry left Yarmouth to live with youngest daughter Edie whose husband had just joined the navy. Henry went to work in a munitions factory in his sixties but sadly died in 1943 never to return to his beloved sea.

By Keith Banner
On 03/09/2010

Hello Keith @ Duncan My Great Great Grandfather Matthew Patterson was master of the Star steam tug at Yarmouth. This as you will know was owned by the same company that owned the United Services. His oldest son Matthew James Patterson also served on the United Services, and I would love to get in touch with you both. Best wishes Sid Patterson

By Sidney Patterson
On 24/05/2013
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