FOREMOST 22 AT NO.5 STAGE
Newhaven's famous steam tug, 1928-1960
By Andy Gilbert
Foremost 22 and Nitrogen
John Henry Ball, courtesy of Historic England
It's not often that I come across new photos of our harbour tugs, but Historic England has this one on their site, with permission to share or embed.
We can date the picture to the early 1930's possibly 1933.
Foremost 22 is seen alongside No.5 Stage, the usual position for our main harbour tug from the early 20th century until Meeching was withdrawn in 2000. Astern of her is the bunker barge Nitrogen, used to refuel our steamers. The tug would take Nitrogen to her refuelling point, at No.6 Stage, I believe, and then take her down river to the steamer, where she would transfer her load. I think the large fuel tank is seen behind the tug's wheelhouse.
The historic Lifeboat House is seen ahead of Foremost 22.
The image comes from the John Henry Ball collection, reference JHB01/01/14. However, I note with some amusement that the words on Historic England accompanying the photo are mine - paraphrased from those that went with a different photo of the tug that I posted on another website!