What a history

The port of Southampton had a requirement for tug/tenders to attend to liners anchored in Cowes Roads, and CALSHOT was completed in 1930 to fulfil this role in the fleet of the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (or Red Funnel as it became known). She was built by John I. Thornycroft & Co. Ltd, of Woolston, Southampton, launched on 4 November 1929, and fitted with triple-expansion steam engines, which were also built by Thornycroft. Principally used for local towing and tender duties, CALSHOT also served as a relief vessel on the Southampton to Ryde excursion service, and, on occasions, for salvage work in the Channel.

On 16 December 1940, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and sent to Scapa Flow to tender the Home Fleet at anchorage. Two years later, she went to the Clyde tendering the QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH, amongst other liners, who were both on trooping duties. In May 1944, she returned to the South coast and her home port of Southampton where she took part in the D-Day preparations.

After an extensive refit, CALSHOT rejoined the Red Funnel fleet in June 1946 and continued in service until 1964, when replaced by a new motor tug/tender of the same name. She was sold to Port & Liner Services (Ireland) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Holland America Line, converted to diesel and renamed GALWAY BAY. She was based at Galway for tender work to the liners MAASDAM and RYNDAM, and local excursion services. By 1971, she was owned by Galway Ferries Ltd and used as a ferry between Galway and the Aran Islands, as well as excursions, until the end of the 1985 season.

In 1986, she was bought by Southampton City Council to be the centrepiece of a proposed maritime museum. This scheme did not proceed, and she remained in Southampton Docks. In 1997, the Tug Tender CALSHOT Trust was set up with the aim of restoring CALSHOT to her 1930s profile, including heightening her funnel. Limited work has been undertaken, but further progress is contingent on successful applicatoin for grants.