THE TUG MEECHING COMES HOME!

Well, in model form, anyway!

By Andy Gilbert

On 11th May 2015, a fine Bassett-Lowke waterline model of our former harbour tug Meeching was formally handed over to Newhaven Museum by Commander Rupert Head, on behalf of his mother, Mrs Anne Head. The model was accepted by Museum Curator, Tony Helyar, with other members of the Newhaven Historical Society in attendance, including Brian Berry, who worked on the tug as her 2nd Engineer in the 1960s. I was there in my 'role' as Meeching's official historian.

The society's retiring president, Lord Ambrose Greenway, had announced the possible availability of the model at the society's AGM earlier in the year and and appeal to raise funds for its purchase was started that evening.

The 18" long model shows Meeching in the British Railways livery that she first received in 1965. Like all Bassett-Lowke models, it's superbly made and highly accurate, though eagle eyes might just spot that the port of registry (Newhaven, of course) is missing from the stern and that the upper arrow of the British Railways logo on the port side of the wheelhouse is facing the wrong way. Whilst it made no difference on a train, which could operate in either direction, on British Railways ships, the upper arrow always pointed towards the bow.

On a personal note, I first saw this model when it came up for auction some years ago. I had intended to buy it and then place it on permanent loan to the Museum. However the auction house advised me that they were expecting bids that were way beyond my budget, so I didn't proceed at that time.

Anyway, it's good to finally see the model on display at Newhaven Museum where it truly belongs. I can think of no better place for it.

At the same time I was pleased to be able to present the Museum with a fully updated edition of my own 'life history' of the tug, with more stories and photos, including the latest chapter in her life, as Murray Tugs' Nore-Crest.

Yet another good reason for a Museum visit!