Steam Tugs
United Services
By Keith Banner
Many years ago whilst browsing in the Broad Row I came upon a small art gallery /gift shop. Looking at the paintings etc I saw a pen and ink drawing of a steam tug towing out a three masted ship over the Yarmouth bar. I looked closer and saw it was the United Services. This tug has great family connections as its master at the turn of the century was my great grandfather Henry Robert Riches, born in 1872. The first mate, I believe at that time, was Arthur Riches, Henrys older brother. Both had a long and distinguished career working the old steam paddle tugs out of Yarmouth. Sadly I never met Henry as he died in 1943, I believe in Birmingham. He went to live with his youngest daughter and her husband after retiring from the sea. I did manage to obtain a photo of him prior to his death - a stately looking person who looked quite fit ,a bit weather beaten, which was to be expected because the paddle steamer tugs bridge was open and exposed to all conditions.
His old tug was, I believe, sold between the first and second world wars.