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Re: The Seastone & The Rockstone

By Charlie Hutchings on 19/02/2015 at 12:02

I well remember the Seastone and Rockstone and crewed on the Rockstone early 1970's as third engineer. They were both built in 1907 as self propelled steam Hoppers for Thames Conservancy Hopper No7 and No8. Westminster Gravells, part of Bos Kalis bought them and converted them to Aggregate Dredgers in the early 60's. The Seastone was fitted with a 660 HP Lister Blackstone. Rockstone was fitted with Smit Bolnes direct reversing 750 HP Diesel. When you arrived at the dredge area, you had to stop and unclutch the drive shaft by turning a huge wheel, then on the forward end clutch IN the dredge pump again turning a wheel and restarting the main engine running Astern. This dredger was known as a static pumper, when you had drifted off the "patch" it was Stop the engine, unclutch the pump, clutch IN the Prop and start up in Ahead for another sweep. Fun times indeed. All but the Captain had to berth fwd so with a loaded ship, coming off watch you were likely to get soaked. Fun times indeed.

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