Eppleton Hall

Anchored here at Hyde Street Pier, the Eppleton Hall whispers tales of a bygone era. This isn’t just any old tugboat. The Eppleton Hall is a time traveler, a survivor, the last of her kind. Built in 1914 in South Shields, England, for the Lambton and Hetton Collieries, she was christened after the family’s grand estate. Imagine her on the River Tyne, churning the waters with her powerful paddle wheels, guiding colossal coal ships safely to port. She was a workhorse, essential to the bustling maritime trade. Eppleton Hall even escorted newly built ships out to the open sea, a final farewell before their maiden voyages. She was more than a tugboat; she was a symbol of British engineering prowess. Her twin “grasshopper” engines, also crafted by Hepple and Company, could churn out 500 horsepower. They allowed for independent operation, a feat of engineering that enabled her to turn within her own length, a vital skill in the tight confines of the river. The Eppleton Hall served faithfully for decades, witnessing the changing tides of the shipping industry. In 1967, she faced the ignominious fate of the scrapyard. Left to decay on a mud bank in Dunston, her wooden afterdeck and interior were ravaged by fire. It seemed the end of the line for the Eppleton Hall. But fate, it seems, had other plans. News of her plight reached Karl Kortum, director of the San Francisco Maritime Museum. A daring rescue mission was launched. Restored and refitted for the arduous transatlantic journey, the Eppleton Hall embarked on an incredible 11,000-mile voyage. She sailed under her own power, a testament to her resilience. Today, the Eppleton Hall rests here, a cherished piece of maritime history. While she may not be open for public boarding, her presence speaks volumes. She is a reminder of the ingenuity and determination that propelled the golden age of steam. She is the Eppleton Hall, a survivor, a testament to the enduring spirit of the sea.