Portwey’s History
Introduction
In the 1870’s Dartmouth became established as a coal bunkering port, supplying coal to shipping calling at Dartmouth. But in 1886 the shipping trade started to be lost to Portland, and to overcome this Dartmouth businessmen decided to form a new company for the bunkering trade The Channel Coaling Co. Ltd.
Charles Edward Evans had established in Cardiff in 1890 his own company, a coal-exporting firm, and in 1901 changed its name to Evans & Reid Ltd. During the early part of the 1900’s the business expanded, and was built up with acquisition of various subsidiary companies including The Portland & Weymouth Coal Co. which Evans & Reid had taken over.
Portwey was built in 1927 for the coal bunkering trade along the South coast supplying coal to steamers etc, she was also on-call for any ship requiring assistance or salvage.
As will be seen in the following pages, Portwey worked for various companies during her 40 years of working life, all under the common ownership of Evans & Reid Investment Co. Ltd of Cardiff. They were:
Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co.
The Channel Coaling Co.
The Dartmouth Coaling Co.
G.H. Collins & Co. Shipping Agents.
In the 1930’s The Channel Coaling Co., G.H. Collins, and Dartmouth Coaling Co. all had offices at the same address, 22 South Embankment, Dartmouth, Devon. Also owned by Evans & Reid were the Torbay and Brixham Coaling Co. Ltd.
Acknowledgements This booklet is produced mainly from notes taken from The Public Record Office (Kew); Lloyds Weekly Casualty Returns; and local papers, Dartmouth & South Hams Chronicle; Dorset Daily Echo & Weymouth Dispatch to whom the Trust is grateful for permission to use.
1926
10th November: Portwey is ordered from Harland & Wolff by The Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. Ltd. She is constructed at the Harland & Wolff Govan yard in Glasgow.
1927
10th August: Portwey is launched.
When tested, Portwey did not obtain the required speed. Because of this the propellers were changed. The vessel was surveyed under Special Survey by Lloyds and granted a “100 A.1. for Towing Services” certificate.
1928
24th April: Left Govan for Portland harbour.
28th April: Arrived at Portland and handed over to Owners, Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. Ltd, at Weymouth. Berthed at Castletown Pier, and known locally as the Posh Boat because of the pristine condition in which she was kept.
Mr C.G. Gordon of Portland Harbour was in charge of Portwey.
Newspaper reports on Portwey’s arrival: “Tug Portwey arrived on Saturday and is a naturally a source of interest, The Portwey was subjected to trials on Sunday and will take the place of the “Petrell”. The crew and their wages for the voyage from Govan to Portland Harbour were as shown below.
“The Portwey came to her new home last week and looks bravely spick and span with her smart red funnel, and all her deck gear. The new boat is a box of machinery, has her own salvage gear-pumps, all built in, and is a very fine craft for her work.”
Crew:
Master D.K. Minto.
Mate J. Kilpatrick £ 20. 0.0
A.B. W.C. Maxwell £ 9.0.0
A.B. D.S. Law £ 9. 0.0
C.Engineer J. White £ 25.0.0
2nd Engineer W .R. Bofer £ 15. 0.0
Fireman J. McDowall £ 9.10.0
Fireman J. Moose £ 9.10.0 (Figures given are in Pounds, Shillings & Pence)
Her first skipper was Harry Moggeridge of Wyke Regis.
18th May: The auxiliary yacht Valetta was dismasted in a squall off Portland, and the Channel Coaling Co. Tug Portwey went to her assistance and placed a towrope on board at 10.10 am. Portwey then commenced to tow the yacht slowly, she had a dinghy astern, to Weymouth. The Valetta was moored to the buoys reserved for yachts in Weymouth harbour at 11.30.
27th June: Yacht Bonny Jean caught in heavy seas at night, off Portland Bill and when approached by the Lifeboat, requested a tow.
Portwey put out from Portland and her Captain, Capt Iies, stood by as the Lifeboat towed the yacht into Weymouth harbour.
25th August: Steam coaster Jolly Esmond ran ashore at Portland in dense fog with a cargo of granite from Jersey for London. Portwey stood by, but she floated clear the following morning.
27th August: Portwey went to the assistance of the Danish steamer Bodil, that had a fire onboard. Portwey used three of her hoses to assist in putting out the fire.
The crew of the Portwey, from the Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. rendered effective assisted in extinguishing a fire that broke out on the Steamer “Bodil”, a Danish vessel of Esbjerg which had a cargo of timber. Smoke’ was seen issuing from the bunker head, and it was discovered that some of the timber in the starboard ‘tween deck was smouldering. A hose was connected by the steamer and three from the Portwey and gallons of water were being poured down both port & starboard bunker heads. The fire was soon located and extinguished. Portwey was at work for about an hour.”
1929
5th January: Weymouth Coastguards reported the steamer Grosvenor ashore on Clavells Hard, near Kimmeridge Ledge, and signalled for immediate assistance. The Swanage lifeboat Thomas Markby was launched and Portwey was called out. Portwey and the lifeboat stood by all night, the sea being fairly calm.
6th January: Portwey got a rope on board Grocvenor and after several hours succeeded in towing her off the rocks, and took her into Portland.
2nd December: An S.O.S. was received from the British steamer Canadian Transport drifting ashore some 5 miles south of St. Alban’s Head in fog. Portwey put out from Portland harbour to go to the assistance of the distressed vessel, however the wind blew her clear of the shore, and she was not required.
7th December: In a 100 mile an hour gale in Portland, a coal barge Minx, laden with about 500tons, broke from her moorings in Portland harbour and went aground. Minx was owned by Messrs Collins & Co. of Portland. Portwey was sent out from Portland to attempt to refloat her but found it impossible to approach the barge due to the bad weather and returned to Portland.
1930
3rd January: The Steamer Winslow was towed into harbour by Portwey. Winslow had a 22 degree list received in gales and heavy seas.
4th January: Portwey went out to the Steamer Danchild who had machinery trouble and towed her back into harbour.
14th January: French Ketch “Reine Des Cieux” was reported to be drifting towards Hope Rocks. Portwey put out from Portland harbour, but assistance was not required and the tug Portwey returned to harbour.
7th July: Steamer ”Jolly Charles” bound from Poole to Portland went aground on Kimmeridge Ledge. Portwey offered assistance, but this was not required. Tug returned to Portland Harbour.
24th November: “Triton” & “Taxinrchis” - Greek flag - S.O.S. in West Bay was in danger of drifting ashore. H.M.S. Dorsetshire, Weymouth lifeboat, tug “Portwey”, and Admiralty tug “Pilot” put out to assist. Nothing was found due poor visibility, and the tugs returned at 11.30am to harbour.
1931
13th January: “Crown of Denmark” schooner went ashore on Portland Breakwater. Crew taken off by Portwey and conveyed to Castletown.
Difficulty was first encountered outside the harbour. The sea was fairly rough with a Northeasterly wind, and she was blown onto the breakwater before Portwey could get to her assistance.
21st January: Attempts to salve the two-masted auxiliary steel Schooner “Crown of Denmark”, have been abandoned, and the ship has been offered for sale’ As she stands’.
1932
26th January: Portwey went out from Portland to West Bay with members of the press and photographers aboard, to where the “Submarine M2” was believed to have sunk off Portland, but nothing was seen.
1934
14th January: Steamer “Ford Fisher” arrived with a cargo of cement at Portland. At 4.45am during a heavy gale, she dragged her anchors and went ashore on to Portland Breakwater. At 7.45am Portwey got a line aboard aft and assisted the ship into harbour .
1936
16th February: Portwey went out to assist the “Winchester Castle” when she ran aground ,on Chesil Bank, however the towrope broke. The ship refloated her self the next day.
July Went out from her berth at Castletown, in answer to a request for the water boat to Astra, Velsheda, & Shamrock V. (These were’ big J-Class Yachts built before the 2nd W.W) At this period of her life, Portwey also carried supplies of newspapers, cigarettes and various items for the crews of ships at anchor in Portland Harbour, and supplied stores and water to the ships. She also ran the choice Pilots to the Blue Funnel and Ben Line ships in Lyme Bay and off the Shambles, which were bound for London.
The company ran Portwey with two watches, day and night watch.
Each watch consisted of 5 persons, Skipper, Engineer, Deck hand & boy, and a Boarding clerk.
1937
18th February: Attended H.M.S. PC 74 (Patrol Boat), a decoy ship from WW1, which was in collision with the large coal hulk Haytian (ex Bristol/West India Liner of Elder Dempster Line) and owned by G.H. Collins & Co. The hulk was holed and sunk at her moorings with nearly a full cargo of coal.
5th April: The Steamer English Trader was under tow by two tugs and a salvage vessel enroute to Southampton for repair, when she broke adrift and started making water which her pumps could not hold. Portwey went out from Portland to assist her into harbour .
24th August: Assisted in the raising of the hulk Haytian which was finally raised by Mr L. Basso, a local marine diver & salvage expert.
1938
Portwey was purchased by G.H. Collins & Co. Ltd. of Dartmouth and moved there. Both companies, G.H. Collins & Co. and Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. were under the common ownership of Evans & Reid, a holding company in Wales, together with The Channel Coaling Co, & The Dartmouth Coaling Co.
1940
7th May: Management of Portwey now passed to Mr L.G. Godfrey, Dartmouth, of the Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co.
1941
At this point Portwey was also working for the Channel Coaling Co. Ltd of Dartmouth.
9th April: Tanker Buesten and collier Dudley Rose while in convoy, were attacked and sunk off Berry Head. Portwey and other vessels went out to assist in rescuing survivors.
21st May: Tanker British Renown whilst sailing in a convoy to Falmouth was bombed 3½ miles from Dartmouth. Portwey and other tugs (on charter to the Admiralty) assisted in towing her back into harbour.
1942
Now on Admiralty service, Portwey was based at Dartmouth and moored alongside the South Embankment. She was employed on harbour service and towage at Ports in the vicinity of Dartmouth, and came under the Naval control of Plymouth Command.
23rd July: Management now passed to Mr F.J. Weaver of the Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. now based at Dartmouth.
18th September: In a heavy air raid on Dartmouth, the steamship Fernwood, a collier (2555 tons), was sunk with 700 tons of coal on board. The Fernwood along with The Witch and Dagney were coal storage hulks and were moored permanently in midstream. Portwey would move a floating crane from one to the other, for loading coal into barges.
1943
27th May: Mr H. Bodger of Paignton, now took over management of Portwey and the Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co.
5th December: H.M.T. Grassholm and Portwey sailed from Dartmouth at 09.30 to assist a disabled Tug and Lifting Craft 18. The Tug was towed into Salcombe.
1944
30th January: At 03.00 L.S.T. 382 was stranded on the Kingswear side of the River Dart during Exercise Gosling 1 & 2. Despite a falling tide Portwey and another tug towed her off the rocks.
18th April: Portwey was sent to Teignmouth.
19th April: At Teignmouth Portwey completed the laying of moorings in the harbour and left with the Mooring Barge to return to Dartmouth.
26th April: Portwey helped with towing the US L.S.T. 289 into Dartmouth. L.S.T. 289 had been damaged at Slapton Sands during the pre-invasion exercise, Exercise Tiger, when German E-boats attacked.
2nd October: Portwey towed the SS South coaster off the beach, and then returned to Dartmouth.
October: A.J. Viner , Mate. Joined Portwey, which at the time formed part of a small fleet of auxiliary vessels, under Admiralty Charter, but now had their movements controlled by the O.I.C. of the American base there.
She was working with two other tugs and Naval trawlers etc. on clearing flotsam and jetsam from mid channel, working between Start and Portland, also supplying fresh water to Naval vessels. Among the ships were the Destroyers Bulldog, Beagle, Kimberly and steam gunboats Grey Goose and Grey Fox, also several Flower class corvettes.
1945
14th January: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham.
5 February: Crew transferred to Dartmouth Estuarial rates as from this date, terms and conditions of service having been duly read to the crew who agreed to abide by them.
14th February: Steamed Brixham to Dartmouth.
20th February: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham and then back.
4th March: Steamed Dartmouth to Teignmouth and back
5th March: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham and back.
7th March: Steam Dartmouth to Brixham and back.
26th March: Steamed Dartmouth to Salcombe and back.
28th March: Steamed Dartmouth to Salcombe and back.
4th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Salcombe and back.
4th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham and back.
7th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Salcombe and back.
12th April: Steamed Dartmouth to brixham and back.
13th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Salcombe and back.
25th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham and back.
27th April: Steamed Dartmouth to Brixham and back.
30th April: Steamed from Brixham to Dartmouth.
When built in 1927 Portwey had provision for a crew of 8 seamen or apprentices. The Crew at various times during the war period, 1942 to 1945, were:
Captain
William Francis
Deckhand
(Bill) Bellamy
Mate
Samual George Bulley (Mate 1945)
Engineer
A.J. Viner
Fireman
Joseph John Parker
Deckhand
Percy George Gooder
Deckhand
G.Andrews
Pilot & Sailing Master
R.Jaques
Fireman & Sailor
G. Wrenn
Deckhand
C.Smyth Newland
Fireman
F. Plowright
Fireman
E.Chase
1945
June: Returned to The Channel Coaling Co.. Was now used as a harbour tug on general duties, including supplying drinking water etc. to visiting vessels. She was called to an 8.5ton motor cruiser, Valkyrie, anchored near Phillips yard, to fill her 19-gallon tank, and in less than 2 minutes her 6-inch hose had completed the job and the motor cruiser’s deck was awash.
Engaged on company business including Pilotage duties in Tor Bay, and when the swell was too much for the Pilot launch based at Brixham, Portwey would steam around to Brixham and pick up the Pilots and Customs officers who had came down by train from London. These were the choice pilots employed for the Blue Funnel, Ben Line, P & 0, Glen Line, Port Line, and Ellerman boats.
At this time Portwey was fitted out forward with mahogany side benches (with leather cushions), a large mess-table, a large coal-stove, mahogany clothes cupboard, toilet facilities and wash basin cabinet, which if the 6 or 7 Pilots/Customs men were delayed, was very snug.
Other work at Dartmouth included towing of MFV’s Starlit Waters & Moonlit Waters from Phillips yard where they were built.
1947
11th February: Dartmouth Coast Guard called out the lifeboat and Portwey to a floating object seen in the dim light. On arrival it was found to be a specially designed radar buoy with a highly coloured superstructure, which in the poor light was taken as a sail, or a dim light. Portwey towed the buoy in. At the time Mr R.L. Dennis was Managing Director of the Channel Coaling Co.
9th May: A fire started in the upper part of the Queen’s Hotel, Dartmouth. The fire service arrived within minutes of receiving the call, but trouble developed with the water supply when suction joints of the hoses failed to fit tightly and no water came through. Portwey, which was berthed alongside the South Embankment, soon had a number of her hoses in action. The crew, led by Mr R.L. Dennis (MD), assisted the firemen by using her pumps to supply water. A total of 81 ,000 gallons of water were pumped from the river. Those on board Portwey and manning the pumps were:
Skipper W. Bellamy, Chief Eng. J. Parker, J. Evans, P. Gooder, W. Blamey and the Dartmouth Harbour Master Capt. R. Griffiths.
16th July: Portwey towed the last J class yacht, Westward, to the Hurd Deep to be sunk when her owner T.B. Davis died.
1948
16th April: Visited Portland whilst towing the hulk Witch.
25th June: Burned-out hulk of the Yacht Genie Maris, which caught fire in Brixham harbour, was towed to Dartmouth by Portwey, and taken to Messrs Philip’s Noss works.
1949
3rd February: Moonlit Waters (motor trawler) flashed a S.O.S by aldis lamp when drifting on to rocks at Compass Point, Dartmouth. Torbay Lifeboat launched and was assisted by Portwey, which towed the trawler into Brixham.
21st February: Sold by Portland & Weymouth Coaling Co. to G.H. Collins of Dartmouth.
25th February: Management now came under Mr H. Bodger, Paignton, for G.H. Collins.
16th March: Salvaged the Dutch coaster Vrede which had ran aground on Spratt Sands, Teignmouth.
From’ a report by Mr Viner, Mate:
Wednesday 15th March. In accordance with instructions received from my owners at Dartmouth. I proceeded with S.T. Portwey, with her crew of five, at 1pm arriving at Teighnmouth at 3pm.
Boarded by Pilot Broom. Proceeded to the Vrede and connected to her starboard quarter at 3:30pm. Very heavy swell, Wind strong Southerly. Commenced to tow, tug bumping heavily aft. Parted our tow rope (6 inch sisal). Connected remains of rope up again and continued towing until 5:15 pm when rope broke again, and operations abandoned for that tide. Left Teignmouth 5.30pm returned to Dartmouth, arriving at 8pm.
Thursday 16th March. Having taken from store a new length of 6 inch sisal and 3 ½ inch wire, left Dartmouth at 2pm arriving Teignmouth at 4pm. Boarded by Pilot Broom. Connected to ship’s starboard quarter at 4.45pm and commenced towing at 4. 50pm.
Heavy swell. Wind 5.5. W. Parted 3 ½ inch wire at bitts reconnected, and parted again same wire. Connected with Our sisal and 6 inch manila from ship. Vessel seemed to be working, but would not clear bank. Stopped operations for night at 9 pm and made for Teignmouth Harbour.
Friday 17th March. Proceeded to ship at 4:30 pm with Pilot Hannell on board. Sea moderate. Connected up on her starboard bow and started to tow at 5pm. Shortly after 6pm when ship pivoting about midships, tow rope (ship’s 6 inch manila} parted at hawse pipe.
Then went around to her port bow and endeavoured to push her off but effort ineffective. Abandoned operations at 9pm and returned to harbour.
Saturday 18th March. Proceeded from harbour 5am with Pilot Hannell on board. Connected up at 5:30am Commenced to tow from starboard quarter. Very heavy swell. Wind 5.5. - Towed for 35 minutes, then went forward to vessel’s starboard bow, commencing to tow at 6.30am, following which the towrope (ship’s manila) parted immediately, but vessel then able herself to proceed at full speed out through Western Channel. She then returned to harbour by the Eastern Channel, and we also returned to Teignmouth, owing to heavy sea and strong wind, 5.5. W. gale force. I suspect damage to tug’s bottom, propeller (through rope fouling) and possibly to machinery parts through ingress of fine sand as with Vrede.
Note: Portwey was hand-steered at this period, and it was necessary to keep a firm grip on the wheel when handling her, particularly in situation as the Vrede stranding, using the screws to manoeuvre. Sometimes they would slam the rudder and wheel amidships without warning. The wheel was then about 4 feet diameter and I don’t need to tell you how much damage those whirling spoke handles could do, if you didn’t let go and stand clear.
1949
27th September: Dartmouth Harbour commission drew the attention of the Admiralty to the presence in the harbour of dangerous debris from wartime.
Portwey struck a submerged object, which turned out to be an abandoned naval craft. Damaged to Portwey amounted to £72-15-0 for which the Admiralty was held responsible.
1951
9th October: The owners, G.H. Collins, sold Portwey to Falmouth Dock & Engineering Go. Ltd and Registration transferred to them on the 24 Dec.
1952
31st January: The new manager was Mr A.E Underwood of Falmouth Dock and Engineering Go. Ltd.
Portwey was used for moving various barges known as Lump, D15, Unibag and Mixtow which was a floating steam crane built onto the end of a barge, also the floating tank barge Shell Mex, which was used for pumping out oil when tankers neededtheir tanks emptying for repair. She also moved the 50ton Floating crane Titania and the Admiralty Floating Dock No.5. There were various harbour duties such as supplying fresh water to vessels out in the roadstead.
The Switchboard and Dynamo (1918) was on board when she arrived at Falmouth. The Dock Co. fitted the Steam Steering engine when they acquired her.
The 2nd Dock master was Capt. Gelling who steamed Portwey around from Dartmouth with Edward (Eddie) Pasco. Eddie was then appointed as skipper .
The following are selected brief extracts are taken from Portwey’s Log book 1952 to 1954, and give some indication of the day-to day working carried out by Portwey.
Shell Mex to Eastern from moorings
Assisting SS Solbritt alongside Western
Assisting SS Solbritt from Western for sea
Giving Naninia 40 tons waterGiving Naninia 40 tons water
Shell Mex to moorings from SS Naninia
Giving Naninia 40 tons water
Giving Naninia 40 tons water
Giving Naninia 20 tons water
Crane Titania to No.1 Dock Head from moorings
Crane Titania from No.1 Dock Head to No.3 Dock
Head Crane Titania to moorings from Shell Mex to British Patriot from Eastern
Assisting SS British Knight up No.3 dock
Shell Mex to SS Frey from Patriot
To Prince of Wales Pier with Capt Carlson (Captain of Flying Enterprise) & K. Dancy (Mate) & others from Tug Turmoil
Shell Mex from SS British Might to Eastern
Shell Mex to British Commodore from Eastern
Shell Mex from British Bugler to Eastern D15 to No.4 Dock Head from moorings
Crane Barge to British Valour from moorings
Crane Barge to Western from British Valour
D15 to moorings from No.4 Dock Head
Crane Barge to British Valour from Western
Barge 8 to British Valour from Eastern
Shell Mex to moorings British Justice
Shell Mex to Eastern from moorings
Hopper 2 & Barge 8 to No.1 Dock from moorings
Crane Barge to No.1 Dock from moorings
Assisting Dredger to No.1 Dock from moorings
Shell Mex to Cable ship SS Mirror from Eastern
Shell Mex to moorings from SS Mirror
1959
July and August: The contractors Conialys used Portwey during the construction of the new Lizard Lifeboat Station at Kilcobben Cove.
1965
Portwey was towed to Holyhead by the tug St Mawes to assist the dredger Briton with dredging for new car ferry terminal being built at the Admiralty Pier. During the tow back, Portwey hit a rock, causing a dent in the forward water tank, port side. When Portwey was built she had a water tank that was on top of the Heads (which is now the paint locker), and the original galley was where our electrical locker is now sited.
Portwey was some times used to push the ferry Normannia along side the pier in breezy conditions.
Portwey was sold as scrap to Richard Dobson of Stoke Gabriel, Totnes, who moved her to Stoke Gabriel and with colleagues maintained and restored her to a steaming condition.
Attended the Fleet review at Torbay.
Steamed to Brixham for Trawler race.
Used by Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority, to inspect the River.
Beating the Bounds on the River Dart with guests of the Council on board.
For Richard and his crew it was now becoming difficult to maintain Portwey and he decided to donate Portwey to the Maritime Trust.
1982
May: Portwey steamed to St Katharine Dock, London, via Weymouth. Took on board 16ton’s of Coal at Weymouth. Left Weymouth for London.
7th June: Handed over to the Maritime Trust.
3 December: Friends of Portwey formed, who continued the restoration and steaming of the tug.
1994
1st September: S T. Portwey Association created. Association obtains charitable status.
1995
19th July: Long-term charter granted to S.T. Portwey Association by Maritime Trust.
1996
June: An application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was successful. £82,000 was awarded to the Association and this together £ 10,000 raised by the Association enabled severely corroded steelwork under the boiler to be replaced. Portwey spent eight weeks at Denton’ s Ship repairers, Gravesend, having the work done.
2000
20th April: The S.T. Portwey Trust Company Limited by Guarantee created.
2nd June: Charitable status granted to the Trust.
7th June: Portwey purchased by S.T. Portwey Trust from the Maritime Trust.
2002
August: The lifeboat was removed to the yard of David Patient, Shipwright of Maldon, Essex, for complete restoration. The Heritage Lottery Fund had awarded a grant of £10,200 for the restoration. The lifeboat is unusual in being double ended and the Trustees were most anxious to keep the original boat.
2003
August: The lifeboat boat is returned to Portwey fully restored with new mast, sail, oars and cover.
2005
January: Portwey visited the London Boat Show. She was in steam for 12 days, the longest period since the tug came to London from Dartmouth in 1982.
2010
August: Portwey steamed to Ramsgate to be slipped for hull inspection and repainting. On the return voyage the starboard condenser end casing started bulging alarmingly and had to be quickly reinforced. Once back at South Quay new end casings were cast and fitted.
2012
June: Portwey was part of the static collection of historic ships taking part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
July: Portwey made a 14 hour voyage from Canary Wharf to Harwich to take part in the Harwich Festival of the Sea.
2013
July: Portwey spent over three weeks on the slip at Ramsgate while a full hull survey was carried out and the hull stripped down to bare metal, repainted and re-antifouled. A grant from National Historic Ships covered most of the survey costs.
2017
August: Portwey's 90th birthday celebrations. Portwey was saluted by the commodore of HMS President, just below Tower Bridge, in recognition of her wartime service.
2018
September: After close inspection of the starboard furnace it was obvious that it had been overheating with badly distorted fire bars. The brick arch support plate at the back of the furnace was found to be bent.
2019
A no steaming year. The opportunity was taken to dry dock Portwey so that the propellor shafts could be removed for refurbishment along with the associated glands and bearings. During the year the windlass and wheelhouse steering engine were also overhauled and the starboard furnace rebuilt with a new brick arch support plate.
