X.157a

Name: X.157a

As MARY BIRCH in India & Millwall Docks on 04/08/1973, one of the series X.157 - X.159 by Beardmore

Class: 105.5 foot, powered; Nos X.1 - X.200

Launch Date: 1915

Builder: Wm. Beardmore & Co., Dalmuir

Yard No: 533x?

Engine: BEAR

Screws:

Other Information:

Unknown number but probably X157-159 from the above Wm Beardmore Series.

06/1920 sold to M. S. Hilton, London

03/1927 SWANAGE, James Dredging, Towage & Transport Co. Ltd., London (ON 149790)

09/1935 MARY BIRCH, B.W. Steamship, Tug & lighter Co. Ltd., Hull and re-engined with a 2 cyl. by Skandiverken, Lysekil

27/7/1955 sold to E. Tomlinson, Hull (Les Reid has copy of Bill of Sale)

08/1955 sold to R. Lapthorn & Co. Ltd and S. Yeates, Hoo

1958 re-engined with a 6 cyl. by F. Perkins Ltd., Peterborough

1963 sole owner became R. Lapthorn & Co. Ltd.

1965 sold to Richard Banyard, Tiptree and Marion Carr, London each having 32/64 shares

1966 re-engined 'with similar machinery

1975 broken up at Queenborough

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X-Lighter Classes/numbering:

X.001 – X.200: 105.5 foot, powered

X.201 – X.225: 98 foot, powered

DX.001 – DX.025: 98 foot, dumb

MISC.001 – MISC.003: Vessels believed to be former X-lighters, origins untraced

Engine Abbreviations:

‘BOL’ = 2 cyl. ‘hot bulb’ oil engine by J. & C. G. Bolinders Co., Stockholm

‘SVE’ = 2 cyl. oil engine by J. V. Svensin, Augustendal (Avance design)

‘BEAR’ = 2 cyl. oil engine by Wm. Beardmore & Co., Dalmuir</p>

‘CAMP’ = 2 cyl. ‘hot bulb’ oil engine by The Campbell Gas Engine Co. Ltd., Halifax

‘PLE’ = 2 cyl. oil engine by Plenty & Son, Newbury (Kromhout design)

‘SKAN’ = 2 cyl. oil engine by Skandia