The 'Dunheron'


The tugboat 'Dunheron' was launched and completed in July 1955 as the 'Golden Cross'  by shipbuilders, Scott & Sons, Bowling for Tees Towing Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough. 

The vessel held this name until 1968, when she was sold and her name changed to the  'Dunheron', a name which she held for many years under different owners. At one stage, from 1972 to 1977, she was under the Irish ownership of A.C. Cranes Ltd., Dublin, and after that was operated by Carmel Tugs Ltd. of Bromborough until 1991.

In 1996, she was purchased for preservation by a Captain White of London, and was reputedly owned by actress Suzie Wong.

On 30th October 2006, she assisted the Royal Yacht 'Britannia' on an overseas departure and was the sole escort for that vessel on the final stage of her last voyage in 1997. During this deployment, her name reverted to 'H.M.R.T. (Her Majesty's Royal Tug) Golden Cross'.

In 2012, this interesting vessel was bought by a group of volunteers and moored at Ardentinny, Scotland for restoration. Unfortunately, she broke her moorings here several times and ran aground. Sadly, in November 2013, she was raised and towed to Rosneath for breaking up by DRB Services Ltd.

The 'Dunheron' visited the Port of Wicklow in early February 1983 to make several attempts at refloating the 1200 ton Spanish cargo ship, 'Sota Akejandro' which had run aground on the Sandfiner beach at the back of the Packet Pier. Weather conditions at this time were dreadful, with strong north-east gales and extremely low temperatures. These conditions made salvage difficult, but the persistence of the tugboat master ensured a successful refloating of the grounded cargo vessel a few days later, following several failed attempts.

Having watched this whole operation from the very beginning, and having helped out by manning the harbour office and radio for several bitterly cold nights, I was inspired to paint the mural of the 'Dunheron' on the East Pier wall later that year.  I have just recently retouched that mural, not realising that the vessel had such a fascinating history!

The accompanying photo to the mural shows the 'Dunheron' in her final days as the 'Golden Cross' aground off Shepherds Point, Argyll, courtesy of Ardentinny.org.



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