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| Millner Notes |
| 2.4.1871 |
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Materials purchased for tug SPIDER from Rowland Hill 4/6d (note) |
| 4.9.1895 |
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…the tug SPIDER is working much better now Danks has altered the position of the blades by inserting bevelled washers between the ends of the blades and the boss. The Tug HASTY is at liberty any time. Millner/G C Thomas |
| 4.11.1895 |
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Tug SPIDER. The old boss and blades were put on the tug in time for making the first turn after our stoppage on the 31st ulto and the boss and blades taken off were dispatched to you at Bulbourne. As we have no duplicate set in stock UI hope you will be able to put one in hand soon. I understand there is a serious drawback to the new form of boss viz the difficulty in replacing broken blades also no more speed is obtained from its use and I beg to call your attention to this. Millner/GC Thomas |
| 9/12.11.1895 T |
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Please send a set of 16” blades for the tug PILOT, those present at work cracked and the SPIDER’s blades have a broken bolt hole. Millner GC Thomas |
| 21.11.1895 |
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I beg to enclose a report from Danks re the last set of blades just on the tug SPIDER. Millner /GC Thomas |
| 1.1896 |
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Note re postponement of inspection of SPIDER until new tug is built. |
| 4.2.1896 |
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Both tugs are working well. The inspection of the SPIDER was made yesterday and the tug was working at 3pm. This tug requires the reversing gear looking to and a new brick to the steam chest. The stern bush is also loose with broken pins and the oscillation of the propeller shaft causes a slight leakage. There is a small leakage in the hull through a loose rivet in the rubbing guard. |
| 27.4.1896 |
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…and to tug SPIDER… (652) |
| 8.7.1905 |
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SPIDER and HASTY for inspection Thomas/Millner |
| 24.7.1905 |
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HASTY for inspection at Bulborne. SPIDER at Braunston and spare tug Millner/Thomas |
| 11.8.1905 |
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Inspection for HASTY and SPIDER required Thomas/Millner |
| 21.8.1905 |
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SPIDER at Braunston for inspection Millner/Thomas |
| 5.9.1905 |
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On Sunday last the driver of the tug (SPIDER) had an accident and broke about3” off the corner of the thrust coupling on the engine crankshaft……the coupling will require renewing when you can – the HASTY should be sent to Braunston as soon as is convenient. Millner/Beasley |
| 23.9.1905 |
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SPIDER will not reverse properly, should be sent to Bulborne – send HASTY at an early date Millner/Beasley |
| 10.11.1905 |
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HASTY firebox is leaking – SPIDER is on duty Millner/Beasley |
| 17.12.1905 L |
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The SPIDER’s boiler has been leaking very bad. I thought I should have to put the HASTY on again but they have taken up again. Danks/Millner |
| 27.12.1905 L |
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Have Allchin’s made satisfactory job of HASTY’s fire box. If so please send SPIDER up (to Bulbourne) Beasley/Millner |
| 26.5.1906 |
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SPIDER needing repair, spare tug PILOT lying at Stoke Bruerne Millner/Beasley |
| 5-7.6.1906 |
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28 new tubes put in HASTY’s boiler making complete set of 31 Danks/Millner |
| 6.3.1907 |
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SPIDER, HASTY and PILOT for inspection Thomas/Millner |
| 11.4.1907 |
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Inspect SPIDER and PILOT Thomas/Millner |
| 31.8.1907 |
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PILOT and SPIDER to Bulbourne Warren/Millner |
| 28.9.1907 |
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Despatching tug SPIDER on Friday next |
| 6.6.1910 |
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SPIDER sent to Braunston to exchange with HASTY for overhaul Beasley/Millner |
| 6.8.1911 |
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The tug was broke down through a joint blowing out during the night and partly emptied the boiler of tug SPIDER. |
| 13.6.1912 L |
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Tug SPIDER pump failed on the boiler the bend on the boiler is blocked wright up and the steam chest cover that is blowing and requires corking we have had one night up and we cannot make anything on it it is blocked wright up with scale and the tubes are leaking as well. Warren/Millner |
| 17.8.1913 L |
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The men on the Tug reports the Tug SPIDER to be leaking badly in the hull of the boat more than usual. I am not able to walk up and see, but as I have arranged to have the boiler cleaned during the stoppage on Tuesday next I will try to get to the tug have you any instructions as to working the tug before or after the stoppage Danks/Millner |
| 11.11.1914 |
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HASTY has broken propeller…SPIDER ready to replace Beasley/Millner |
| 19.1.1915 |
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…let me have HASTY for Braunston….getting a bit uneasy with the SPIDER on account of her thin hull” Millner/Beasley |
| 13.2.1916 L |
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SPIDER boiler examined Yates/Millner |
| 14.3.1917 L |
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SPIDER, PILOT No 1 and PILOT No 2 due for boiler examination |
| 11.4.1917 L |
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Re boiler tests for PILOT No 1, PILOT No 2 and SPIDER Yates/Millner |
| 12.9.1917 |
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…the Blisworth Tunnel SPIDER was towing the 3pm pull from Stoke Bruerne when Messrs Fellows Morton Clayton’s steamer ADMIRAL, P Littlemore, ran into the tug and bent the iron stem guard, crushed in the oak stem bar and sprung the sheering on top of the foredeck so that the tug will have to go into dock for the damage to be made good. . The collision occurred near the 2000 yard plate. The tug was against the tunnel wall on the offside (being her right side) and the ADMIRAL must have been across the tunnel. Both tug and steamer had sounded their whistles so the steerer knew of their proximity. Littlemore’s mate was steering and I understand the atmosphere was thick, but all the same the steamer should have kept its right side. I consider a claim should be made for the damage when the cost of repairs has been ascertained. I have not reported this to the General Manager |
| 7.11.1918 |
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Boiler due for inspection |
| 27.4.1920 L |
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HASTY will leave tomorrow for Stoke Bruerne having fitted another propeller to the new shaft with a coarser pitch……give good test before sending PILOT for repairs…Davey Paxman will supply ferrules for SPIDER Rodley/Millner |
| 12.10.1920 L |
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HASTY and SPIDER are leaking at their hulls and require docking. I understand it will be 3 weeks before PILOT at Bulbourne is ready to come down. I propose sending the Braunston tug SPIDER back to Bulborne to have the hull made tight. On the return of this tug HASTY can go for repairs and be got ready for Paddington Arm icebreaking. I shall then have no spare tug at the tunnels and must risk a breakdown. Millner/Yates |
| 20.10.1920 |
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PILOT, SPIDER and HASTY Yates/Millner |
| 29.10.1920 L |
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Send PILOT down to Stoke and take the HASTY on to Braunston, to remain there until the SPIDER returns from Bulborne, then the HASTY can go straight to Bulborne for the winter Millner/Rodley |
| 28.9.1921 |
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SPIDER to be put in order Yates/Millner |
| 18.1.1923 |
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Inspect SPIDER (1/164518) and PILOT No 2 (1/94506) Yates/Millner |
| 19.1.1923 |
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Boiler examination for tug SPIDER’s boiler 25.1.1923 |
| 16.2.1923 |
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Patched up SPIDER temporary – new tug HASTY sent downTWM/Rodley |
| 28.2.1924 |
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Boiler No 1/164518 tug SPIDER is due for thorough examination and I shall be glad if you will let me have a convenient date. Yates/Millner |
| 3.3.1924 |
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SPIDER inspection on Tuesday night 18.3.1924 after tug has finished running. |
| 12.3.1924 |
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Unless boiler is inspected at night, I shall have to stop traffic. I think this is asking too much. Millner/Yates |
| 17.3.1924 |
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Fetch spare tug from Bulbourne so that SPIDER will be available. Yates/Millner |
| 25.3.1924 |
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1/164518 (SPIDER) tug boiler ready for inspection Millner/Vulcan |
| 26.3.1924 |
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Inspect SPIDER (1/164518) Vulcan/Millner |
| 7.5.1924 L |
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SPIDER The fusible plug in the fire box broke on Monday, we are working the spare tug HASTY Millner/Rodley |
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SPIDER should go to Bulbourne and have propeller shaft rebushed |
| 6.1.1925 |
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Boiler inspection to examine HASTY – after examination must be sent to Bulbourne to be put in order for icebreaking on the London District |
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Ref SPIDER, she will be able to carry on in place of PILOT during boiler inspection. The periodical boiler cleaning of the two tugs in commission will have to be carried out during the absence of the spare tug in the same way as was done before the DE SALIS was commissioned. Please arrange a boiler inspection for PILOT. Yates/Millner |
| 17.2.1925 |
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Braunston Tug SPIDER. Link motion and valves… to Braunston for repairs. When returning, please arrange for a filter to fix same with Betts. Milner/Rodley |
| 24.2.1925 |
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report on tug de SALIS |
| 25.2.1925 |
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Tug SPIDER (1/164518) for inspection Yates/Millner |
| 2.3.1925 |
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SPIDER ready for inspection after 4.3.1925 at Braunston |
| 6.11.1925 L |
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Will send three men to Bulbourne for SPIDER and flat. Shall I return HASTY from Braunston to Bulbourne for the winter icebreaking Millner/Rodley |
| 24.9.1926 |
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Boiler Inspection “the tug SPIDER 1/164518 working at Braunston” |
| 29.9.1926 |
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SPIDER 164518 ready for inspection at Braunston Millner/Vulcan |
| 8.2.1928: |
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Hull of tug SPIDER not worth repairing. New one to be obtained and at the same time new engine to be fitted as not so efficient as DE SALIS and HASTY. |
| 14.2.1928: |
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Tenders for new SPIDER - hull Messrs. Bushell Bros £410; engine Beasley & Sons £325; boiler Abbotts & Co. Ltd, Newark £296. |
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| GJCC Minutes (PRO) |
| RAIL 830/21 |
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| 23.10.1878 |
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165. Letter from Mr Thomas stating that the boilers of the steam tugs Spider and Pilot require renewing and he proposed a different class of boiler to that now in use and had obtained tenders for one of the portable type as an experiment from Ransome, Sims & Co, Fowle & Co and Rushton, Proctor & Co and recommending the tender of Messrs Rushton, Proctor as the most suitable and least expensive for the purpose, the price being £125 and extra fittings £13. 10/-….Resolved accepted |
| 8.10.1879 |
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260. Letter from Mr Thomas stating the boiler of the steam tug Pilot requires renewing and recommending a similar one to that lately put in Spider which is working very satisfactorily and that he had obtained a tender from Ruston Proctor who supplied the former one at £128 without fittings….Resolved accepted. |
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| PRO RAIL 830/24 |
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| 13.6.1894 |
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306. Report of the 9th inst from Mr G C Thomas that the engines and boilers of the Company’s steam tugs Pilot , Spider and Hasty were very much out of order and suggesting that the necessary repairs were put in hand at once….Approved |
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| PRO RAIL 830/25 |
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| 8.1.1896 |
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29. Report from Mr G C Thomas that repairs to Spider and Pilot had been carried out at £462. 15. 4 and Hasty was now at Bulbourne and found ton be past repair. He therefore recommended the building of a new tug, it being absolutely necessary to have a reserve in case of accident. …Resolved that a new tug be built at a cost not exceeding £500 |
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| PRO RAIL 830/28 |
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| 25.2.1914 |
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47. On the recommendation of the Engineer, the Company accepted the tender of Messrs Davey, Paxman & Co Ltd for a new boiler for the tug Spider at a cost of £159 less 2½% discount for cash. |
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| PRO RAIL 830/47 |
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| 8.2.1928 |
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112. Tug Spider. A report dated 14th inst has been received from the engineer stating that the hull of the tug Spider is not worth repairing and a new one should be obtained as soon as possible; also that it would be advisable at the same time to take out the old high speed engine and locomotive boiler and replace them by a modern compound condensing engine and marine boiler on the lines which have proved so economical in the cases of the tugs deSalis and Hasty. Particulars of the comparative cost being submitted, it was decided to report the matter to the Traffic Committee, the subcommittee being of the opinion that if a new tug is provided, consent of the RegentsCanal Co. should be obtained with a view to the amount expended (£1333) being charged to the Capital account and repaid to the Grand Junction under Article 11 of the proposed agreement |
| 14.3.1928 |
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121. The Spider. The engineer has submitted tenders for this new tug authorised by the Select Committee at their last meeting and the following have been accepted |
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Bushell Bros |
Hull |
£410 |
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Beasley & Sons |
Engine |
£325 |
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Abbotts & Co Ltd Newark |
Boiler |
£296 |
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