Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Brian60 on July 28, 2018, 06:44:26 pm
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Does anyone have a reasonable answer? Why did european tug development differ so much from what the yanks developed?
I don't have a clue myself and would like to know. What I do know is I prefer the European offerings, the American ones look always look like somebody took one of those 1950's streamliner caravans and shoved it atop an available boat hull. There just seems nothing graceful about them at all. And I will add that the US one here is one of the prettier ones!
Why do they have rounded wheelhouses and a bridgehouse that stretches so far astern?
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The example you site is just one. There are several example, however, that owe their designs directly to European designs. The Maritime Commission "designed" and built V-4-MA-1 tugs of WW 2, lines came directly off the Zwarte Zee, at the time serving as HMS Zwarte Zee. As well, The V-2 tugs and most if not all of the ARS's, of the USN, as well trace their lines to European lines.The V-4 continued to serve in civilian service after the war, but did not last long due primarily to crewing requirements. Being 190+ ft did not help.The design you have sited, I believe, traces it's origins back to the 1800's when so many were used to tow and push, on the hip, barges. IA huge amount of maritime commerce moved by barge, river, lakes, and ocean. So we are slow to change..........they have served well
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An interesting video on development of tugs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-U_ZNjOw8Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-U_ZNjOw8Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-U_ZNjOw8Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-U_ZNjOw8Y)
includes the info that American tugs needed the longer superstructure for accommodation for larger crews to live on board for the longer journeys.
Jim