The building of the Dutch tugs Rammekens and Nolle at Gorinchem for the shipyard De Schelde at Flushing according to the Nieuwsblad voor Gorinchem en Omstreken in 1947

The edition dated Wednesday 9 April 1947 published an item reporting that since a period of 18 years again ships were built at the shipyard IJsselwerf of the firm N.V. Bijkers’ Aannemingsbedrijf. Last Saturday in the early morning with low water was the motor tug Nolle launched built for the shipyard De Schelde at Flushing. During the launching was a hazardous moment when she sloped to the port side. This was caused by the fact that the boat was empty with already an engine placed at port side. Her dimensions were 23 x 5 x 2,25 meter and she was to be fitted out with a 200 hp engine and reversible screw blades. This was a new invention of De Schelde making it possible to steam backwards with the screw turning in the same direction but with the blades reversed. Further more was she fitted out with a salvage pump to pump water out or in other vessels and a huge dynamo making it possible to supply electricity to other vessels. At that moment was her sister ship called Rammekens still on stocks. She was to be launched within about six weeks.

The edition dated Monday 28 July reported the launching of the Rammekens of the Saturday before at 13.00 o’clock The 220 hp engines was built by De Schelde. The huge steam boiler of 12 atmosphere could supply steam to tankers if necessary. The tug was fitted out with central heating and in the fore ship was the living and bed accommodation included toilet and handbasin for the master. In the aft hold was an accommodation for four men and further more was a galley available.

Archief De Schelde (Gemeentearchief Vlissingen blok 214) inv.no. 557 supplies the following details dealing with both ships.

Nolle yard number (of De Schelde!) 239. She was also called Schelde 29 and became later the Scheldepoort 2. The building costs of her and her sister ship were casco ƒ 101.426,13, motor ƒ 125.014,70 and boiler ƒ 7.247,47, totally 233.688,30. she was launched on 5 April 1947 and handed over on 27 May. The building was ordered on 23 May 1945. Dimensions 21,00 (between perpendiculars)-23,03 (over all) x 5,44 x 2,25 metres and a displacement of 82,5 cubic metres or 26,057 tons. Fitted out with a Sulzer-diesel engine.

Rammekens yard number (of De Schelde!) 240. Sue further the Nolle.