TUGS "MEECHING & TIDWORTH "

Tugs go to the aid of the " Crystal Jewel " 1961

By John Hills

Three pictures taken from the MFV " Viking " of the tugs " Meeching " & " Tidworth " who went to the aid of the stricken vessel "Crystal Jewel" in the September of 1961 after she was in collision with the " British Aviator " in dense fog south of Beachy Head. I think these pictures should bring back some memories for the old crews of the tugs.

I've added a fourth picture from Jim Still, showing the tugs alongside after the Crystal Jewel had been towed into Seaford Bay. And now a colour photo - the only one I've seen of the incident. Andy - Editor

Photo:" Meeching alongside the " Crystal Jewel "

" Meeching alongside the " Crystal Jewel "

Hills private collection

Photo:" Tidworth " alongside the " Crystal Jewel "

" Tidworth " alongside the " Crystal Jewel "

Hills private collection

Photo:Meeching alongside Crystal Jewel

Meeching alongside Crystal Jewel

Hills Private Collection

Photo:Meeching alongside Crystal Jewel

Meeching alongside Crystal Jewel

Hills Private Collection

Photo:Meeching and Tidworth alongside Crystal Jewel

Meeching and Tidworth alongside Crystal Jewel

Jim Still

Photo:Crystal Jewel moored in Seaford Bay

Crystal Jewel moored in Seaford Bay

Richard Wheeler

This page was added by John Hills on 18/10/2009.
Comments about this page

Sadly I believe all of the original crew members of the Meeching have passed away, including my father Bob Stonehouse. The following names are a selection of crew members from around 1961, Steve Payne, John Watkins, Bob Patterson, Low (Sally) Flowers, Charlie Stone, Ted Townsend, Frank Gilbert, Fred Holden, Alex Pringle and Gerry Osborne. Nice pictures.

There was also Meeching's first Relief Master, Ernest Parker, her first Chief Engineer, Harry Dotterill, and her first Mate, Jock Still. I'm pleased to say that one of her earliest AB's, Jim Still (Jock's son) is still with us. The only later crew members still alive are Graham Ware and (I think) Donald Waller.  - Andy, Editor.

By Laurie Stonehouse
On 24/10/2009

Hi, yes I am still alive not crossed over the bar yet ! I have been following items about the Meeching on another web site and it's nice to see old photo's of old crew members that I knew and of the Meeching herself. Keep up the good work.

By Don Waller
On 26/03/2010
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