Tag Gallery – Tanker Barges

Motor Tanker Barges

In his excellent book Tanker Barges on the Humber Waterways, the late Mike Taylor tells us that liquid cargoes – vegetable oils, coal tar, chemicals – have long been carried on Yorkshire’s waterways. Until the early 20th century such cargoes were carried in drums and barrels on conventional wooden vessels but as cargoes increased in size, vessels were being built with purpose built tanks for carrying liquids in bulk. This gave them additional capacity and the subdivision of tanks by partitions ensured that vessel stability was not compromised by surging of liquids. As the petrol driven car grew in popularity, the rising demand for fuel caused expansion in the fleets of specialist tanker barge operators, notably Harkers and Whitakers, delivering to fuel depots located up the waterways. Vessel sizes increased and the numbers of these self propelled tanker barges reached their peak in the 1960s. The advent of long distance pipelines and road tanker deliveries meant that the days of the tanker barge were numbered, and many would find themselves converted to carry bulk dry cargoes. 

Where possible we have identified the vessels and where and when the photographs were taken. If you can identify any vessel or its crew please get in touch using the form below. 

Hover your cursor over the photograph and you will see a short title. Click on the photograph and you should see a larger version and more information.

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