tugboat URSUS

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1922 - 1947

Design features

Ursus (steel tugboat) 1922 - 1947
hull material : ...................steel
previous name(s) of ship : ........cynic
detailed type : ...................steel tugboat
type of propulsion : ..............2 propellers
building year of ship : ...........1917
name of shipyard : ................Mac Lachlan
place of construction : ...........Paisley (écosse)
year of entering the fleet : ......1922
length (in meters) : ..............43,17
width (in meters) : ...............8,86
gross tonnage (in tons) : .........472
deadweight (in tons) : ............-
type of engine : ..................inverted, triple expansion 3 cylinders
engine power (in HP) : ............1200
nominal speed (in Knots) : ........12

History

Built in 1917 under the name of CYNIC for the account of a London shipowner. Two chimneys. Bought by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique in 1922. Renamed URSUS. Based in Le Havre. On October 8, 1926, is shoved aside by the steamer PARIS (1921) at the entry of the Harbor of Le Havre where she sinks. Refloated February 1927 and reconditioned. With tug boats MINOTAURE (1922) and URSUS (1922), assists the steamer NORMANDIE (1935) after her launching. In June 1940, takes part in the evacuation of the British troops. To this occasion, she goes to the help of the survivors of steamer LANCASTRIA, sunk by a bomb. In the night of the 18 to 19 June, in company of the MINOTAURE and URSUS, she takes part in the towing of the battleship JEAN BART, then in course of completion. Seized by the Germans in August 1940. April 29, 1945, is attacked and sunk by an allied plane, off Brunsbüttel, in the Baltic Sea. Recorded like loss of war in 1947. Her wreck will be raised and demolished at the beginning of the Fifties.