Help keep Challenge steaming!
Donation protected
Challenge is currently undergoing engine repairs for our move from Southampton to a new home. With our deadline upon us we still have to finish replacing our high pressure piston and the packing for the rod. These parts need replacing because over the years they have worn and no longer operate with the efficiency they should, which means Challenge is using more energy that she should to move. The cost of replacing these two parts is £5000 and so we are looking for donations to help us afford the replacement of these parts so we can get Challenge back into steam and off to her new home.
Challenge was built in 1931, and spent her working life on the Thames. However she played her part in 1940 when she went to Dunkirk to help bring the soldiers home. This was part of operation dynamo. In 1942 saw challenge towing the Maunsell Anti aircraft forts into the Thames estuary to help stop the enemy bombers. At these times she was fitted with Oerlikon Cannon & forebridge for two Lewis machine guns. In 1944 a V1 flying bomb exploded in the water close to challenge causing extensive damage, thankfully all of her crew survived, some of the shrapnel holes are still present from the blast. By 1974 she was the last working steam tug on The Thames and was due to be scrapped. But luckily was sold to St Katherines Yacht Haven close to the Tower Bridge. She spent nineteen years there. In 1993 she was rescued by Dunkirk little ships restoration trust. With the great skills of this trust they done major hull work and replacing her original steam boiler with a more efficient oil boiler. Now we have taken the great honour of looking after this vessel and would love totake her around the UK as much as we can to share her story and educate people about her and great history she represents. So please help us with this mission Thank you The Steam Tug Trust
Challenge was built in 1931, and spent her working life on the Thames. However she played her part in 1940 when she went to Dunkirk to help bring the soldiers home. This was part of operation dynamo. In 1942 saw challenge towing the Maunsell Anti aircraft forts into the Thames estuary to help stop the enemy bombers. At these times she was fitted with Oerlikon Cannon & forebridge for two Lewis machine guns. In 1944 a V1 flying bomb exploded in the water close to challenge causing extensive damage, thankfully all of her crew survived, some of the shrapnel holes are still present from the blast. By 1974 she was the last working steam tug on The Thames and was due to be scrapped. But luckily was sold to St Katherines Yacht Haven close to the Tower Bridge. She spent nineteen years there. In 1993 she was rescued by Dunkirk little ships restoration trust. With the great skills of this trust they done major hull work and replacing her original steam boiler with a more efficient oil boiler. Now we have taken the great honour of looking after this vessel and would love totake her around the UK as much as we can to share her story and educate people about her and great history she represents. So please help us with this mission Thank you The Steam Tug Trust
Organizer
Chris Bannister
Organizer
