Vanguard Paddle Tug Model boat Kit – Disar Models (DA20151)

The Vanguard Paddle Tug Model boat Kit is manufactured by Disar models. Disar wooden model ship kits come complete with laser cut plywood, timbers and dowels, parts and fittings, rigging cords, flags and pre-sewn sails. Highly detailed easy to follow step-by-step color building instructions in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian are included in this kit.

History of the Vanguard Paddle Tug

The Vanguard Paddle tug boat was built in the Euskalduna shipyard of Bilbao in 1913 for the Sota and Aznar Company, The boat took part in the Matxitxako Battle during the Spanish Civil War. The Vanguard wooden paddle tug was built in 1841 by Thomas Ellis. It’s an earlier form of a wooden paddle tug with a heavily raked stem and tiller steering.

The Tugs were used to tow sailing vessels in and out of the Tyne in North East England. They became a forerunner of the dedicated tugs that were to become a significant part of the scenery and history of the river Tyne for nearly 150 years.

The benefits of the paddle tug were to allow larger vessels to navigate the river up to Newcastle and also to reduce the delays in port due to adverse wind and weather. After being in service and sold on to several owners, the Vanguard was scrapped in London in 1863.