Resistência "Valente" and "Ala" – Richard Dunston and builder unknown


Tugboats operated by Resistência (Grupo Lutamar) ¹ seen at the entrance of Doca de Alcântara, Lisboa, in September 2013. Next to the pier, the tugboat named "Valente" and registered LX-37-RC. It is built in England by Richard Dunston (Hessle) ², completed in 1970, yard number S871, and originally delivered to J. H. Pigott & Son, Ltd. under the name "Lady Sarah". Steel hull and superstructure. It has an overall length of 105.1 ft and is equipped with a 1872 kW (2510 hp) Ruston-Paxman 9ATCM main engine and "Kort" nozzle propeller, providing a tractive effort ³ of 40 tons. Top speed is 10 knots. Tied to the "Valente", the tugboat named "Ala" and registered LX-94-RC. I do not know its origin ⁴. Several published sources say it was completed in 1922 and originally delivered to Companhia Nacional de Navegação under the name "Douro Primeiro". Steel hull and superstructure (presumably, original wooden superstructure). It has an overall length of 73.2 ft and is equipped with a 634 kW (850 hp) Caterpillar main engine, providing a tractive effort ⁴ of 8 tons. Also according to various published sources, this tug was rebuilt in 1971, at which time the steam engine was replaced by a diesel engine.

Here, on a splendid autumn afternoon, we find the robust "Valente" accompanied by the elegant "Ala" next to the entrance to Doca de Alcântara. Between the two, more than a century of good services and memories. This picture possibly marks my farewell to both. As far as I know, in 2022 the "Valente" was operating in the Port of Setúbal, included in the fleet of Rebocadores do Atlântico. I do not know the whereabouts of the tug "Ala". ●


Rebocadores operados pela Resistência (Grupo Lutamar) ¹ vistos na entrada da Doca de Alcântara, Lisboa, em Setembro de 2013. Junto ao cais, o rebocador com o nome de "Valente" e registado LX-37-RC. É construído em Inglaterra pela Richard Dunston (Hessle) ², completado em 1970, número de construção S871, e originalmente entregue a J. H. Pigott & Son, Ltd. com o nome de "Lady Sarah". Casco e superestrutura em aço. Tem um comprimento total de 32,03 m e está equipado com uma máquina principal Ruston-Paxman 9ATCM de 1872 kW (2510 hp) e hélice em tubeira "Kort", disponibilizando um esforço de tracção ³ de 40 toneladas. A velocidade máxima é de 10 nós. Amarrado ao "Valente", o rebocador com o nome de "Ala" e registado LX-94-RC. Desconheço a sua origem ⁴. Diversas fontes publicadas referem ter sido completado em 1922 e originalmente entregue à Companhia Nacional de Navegação com o nome de "Douro Primeiro". Casco e superestrutura em aço (presumivelmente, superstrutura original em madeira). Tem um comprimento total de 22,30 m e está equipado com uma máquina principal Caterpillar de 634 kW (850 hp), disponibilizando um esforço de tracção ³ de 8 toneladas. Também de acordo com diversas fontes publicadas, este rebocador terá sido reconstruído em 1971, tendo sido nessa altura substituída a máquina a vapor por uma máquina diesel.

Aqui, numa esplêndida tarde de Outono, encontramos o robusto "Valente" acompanhado pelo elegante "Ala" junto à entrada para a Doca de Alcântara. Entre os dois, mais de um século de bons serviços e de memórias. Este retrato assinala possivelmente a minha despedida para ambos. Tanto quanto julgo saber, em 2022 o "Valente" encontrava-se a operar no Porto de Setúbal, incluído na frota da Rebocadores do Atlântico. Desconheço o paradeiro do rebocador "Ala". ● 


¹  Lutamar - Prestação de Serviços à Navegação, Lda., Setúbal. | Resistência - Serviços à Navegação, Lda., Setúbal. 
²  Richard Dunston (Hessle), Ltd., Hessle (1932–1994).
³  In maritime context, "Bollard pull". 
⁴  I only know of one source that identifies the manufacturer of this tug, as D. Kremer Selm Schiffswerft (Hamburg). However, I cannot find any other reference to this shipyard. The closest designation is D. W. Kremer Sohn Schiffswerft who, in fact, completed in 1922 a tugboat with the name "Aguia", yard number 492 and delivered to Sociedade Fluvial e Marítima, in Lisboa, but which, in its extensive list of constructions does not mention any steam tug ("schleppdampfer") or seagoing tug ("seeschlepper") named "Douro Primeiro" or any work destined for Companhia Nacional de Navegação. How did "Douro Primeiro" come about? Are the "Aguia" and the "Douro Primeiro" the same tug at different times in their lives? My ignorance is immense on this subject. Perhaps experts can help us understand what actually happened. ● Conheço apenas uma fonte que identifica o fabricante deste rebocador, como D. Kremer Selm Schiffswerft (Hamburg). Todavia, não encontro qualquer outra referência a este estaleiro. A designação mais aproximada é o D. W. Kremer Sohn Schiffswerft que, de facto, completa em 1922 um rebocador com o nome de "Aguia", número de construção 492 e entregue à Sociedade Fluvial e Marítima, em Lisboa, mas que na sua extensa lista de construções não menciona qualquer rebocador a vapor ("schleppdampfer") ou rebocador marítimo ("seeschlepper") com o nome "Douro Primeiro" ou qualquer obra destinada à Companhia Nacional de Navegação. Como surge o "Douro Primeiro"? São o "Aguia" e o "Douro Primeiro" o mesmo rebocador em momentos distintos da sua vida? A minha ignorância é imensa neste tema. Talvez os especialistas nos possam ajudar a compreender o que de facto se passou.  

 
Resistência 

Name

Registration

Year

Built

Valente

Tugboat

LX-37-RC

--

Richard Dunston (Hessle)

1970

#S871

Lady Sarah → Lady Alma → Nalon → Valente

Name

Registration

Year

Built

Ala

Tugboat

LX-94-RC

--

builder unknown

1922?

#n/a

Douro Primeiro → Ala


● References 

Wikipedia | "Richard Dunston" 
Wikipedia | "Kremer-Werft" 
Wikipedia | "Ruston & Hornsby" 
Wikipedia | "Caterpillar"
ShipSpotting | "Lady Sarah/Valente"
ShipSpotting | "Douro Primeiro/Ala"
Wikipedia | "Tugboat"
Wikipedia | "Ducted propeller"
Wikipedia | "Ludwig Kort" 
Wikipedia | "Bollard pull"
Hessle Local History Society | "Shipbuilding"
The History of Thorne | "History of Richard Dunston, Ltd." 
Transportes XXI | "Rebocadores de Lisboa"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa" pt-PT
Wikipedia | "Port of Lisbon" 
Wikipedia | "Porto de Lisboa" pt-PT

1 kg → 2.205 lb avdp 
1 t (metric) – 2204.623 pound (lb) (avdp) 
1 kW → 1,360 hp (metric/PS)
1 kW → 1,341 hp
1 hp (metric/PS) → 0,986 hp
1 km → 0,621 mile (international)
1 m → 3.281 ft 
1 nautical mile → 1.15078  mile → 1,852 km
1 kn or knot → 1.15078 mph → 1,852 km

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