MEECHING'S SISTER SHIP

Found at Oare marshes on the Swale

By Terry Howard

While out on one of our birdwatching trips to Oare Marshes in Kent we came upon the Kingston Lacy anchored in the Swale.

Kingston Lacy was built as Kingston Buci for the Shoreham Harbour Authority. She came off the same slipway as Meeching a few months later. About two third's Meeching's size, she's a single screw tug with one Lister Blackstone engine, compared with Meeching's two. Referred to affectionately by some as a 'Mini Meeching'.

Kingston Lacy did fall into a bit of disrepair at one point, rather like Meeching did, but she was restored and repainted in the colours of Rea Towing a few years ago. If she's in the Swale, there's an outside chance that she's been bought by Murray Tugs, who own Nore Crest, ex Meeching. I'll check. Andy-Editor