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Image taken during builders trials The Lyttelton is important to the maritime histories of both New Zealand and Scotland. The Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society and all of those who have been involved with it for many years, are to be congratulated for taking her in hand and, equally importantly, keeping her in first class working order: this is not an easy task. ■ LOA 115ft Beam 25ft Draft 11ft 3in Gross tonnage 292.15 tons Boiler Hand fired coal burning Scotch Marine Boiler Engines Twin 373kW compound, reciprocating steam engines Owner The Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society Inc VOLUNTEER CREW WANTED VIP.S89 engines is 27in. The exhaust from the LP cylinder is lead through a large pipe into the top of the condenser where cooling sea water is pumped through a bank of brass tubes for condensing purposes, the resulting fresh water being returned to the boiler. The tug's twin screws are each eight feet in diameter with a 12 degree pitch. Each engine drives a bank of reciprocating pumps which circulate cooling water to maintain the vacuum in the condensers, before returning the condensate to the boiler. In spite of that, the tug uses about a ton of water on each voyage. The engines are now run at a service speed of 70 rpm (100 rpm in her commercial days), and are controlled in the engine room, where the orders are received from the wheelhouse by the traditional ship's telegraphs. In the wheelhouse, the helmsman is assisted in his management of the wheel by an engine located just behind it, a very early example of such an arrangement. There are numerous auxiliary engines around the ship, each fed with steam from the boiler. The Lyttelton was originally fitted out as a sea-going salvage tug and has a large fire pump in the engine room which can be used to pump out another ship at sea. There is also a general service pump which can be connected in numerous ways to pump water around the ship, and a single cylinder steam engine driving a 5KW, 110Volt DC generator. The ship was fitted out with electricity for lighting in Wellington in the 1920's. Until then it had only had oil wick lamps for illumination below decks and at night. On the foredeck is a winch for raising and lowering the anchors, and there is a capstan on the afterdeck for handling ropes. The ship's rudder control is power assisted by a steam engine in the wheelhouse. This engine is coupled with chains and pulleys to a quadrant directly over the rudder shaft. Fresh tanks under the crew's quarters hold 20 tons of fresh water to make up the boiler water lost, as steam from auxiliary machinery and are exhausted to atmosphere. The ship uses about a ton of water in this way on each voyage. Passenger comfort is a prime consideration. In addition to the main cabin there is an awning spread over the rather large afterdeck, beneath which passengers can enjoy the multitude of sights and sounds of a vessel at sea. There is a souvenir shop on board where mementoes of the tug and the trip can be purchased.Those who question the presence of a derrick at the mast will be interested to learn that one of the tug's duties when in the ownership of the Harbour Board was to take supplies to the look-out post at the entrance to the harbour. The aft saloon remains unchanged spec's Yes, after 100 years there's fire in the hole We are looking for crew to help steam and maintain the 105 year old Lyttelton steam tug. Contact: Vincent Rowe 03 385 7065 or email: secretary@tuglyttelton.co.nz NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013 13