WW1 Tug Hardi

[Ian Burns]

Looking for information on a WW1 tug based it Port Said 1914/1915. Possibly an ex-Suez Canal Company tug.

I have no information about Hardi other than that she was used by RN along Sinai coast. The following is from log book of HMS Proserpine, 21 April 1915 :
1.0pm: Tug HARDI proceeded out of harbour to search for lost aeroplane.
8.30pm: Tug HARDI arrived with lost aviators & one prisoner.
9.30am: Sent armed whalers crew to HARDI to salve aeroplane.

The entry refers to the recovery of a French Nieuport floatplane, N.16, which came down with engine trouble near Lake Bardawil.

There is clearly an interesting story to be told...

[alf mcm]

Ian,

  Could this be the ship you are looking for?     https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/vesselsalpha?shipsearch=HARDI+NO+107&SearchType=Exact&submit=search

 

Regards,

 

Alf McM

[Ian Burns]

Could be. But the trail starts and ends in 1912.

 

Anyway it is a clue to follow up.

 

Thanks, if I find anything out I will update this topic.

[Ralph Currell]

The Hardi shows up in the 1914 Bureau Veritas Register at http://www.digishelf.de/objekt/54962810X86/385/ (at the bottom of the page).  The full name seems to be Hardi No 107, and as you surmised she was a Suez Canal company vessel.  Built by Lobnitz & Co in 1912, and the master's name is given as Aamundsen.

 

Also appears at https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=11295&vessel=HARDI+NO+107.

 

Regards,

   Ralph

Edited 11 September , 2019 by Ralph Currell

[Malcolm12hl]

All of these details are confirmed in Lloyd's Register of Shipping for 1914-15.  There are no other vessels named either HARDI or LE HARDI, so there is little doubt that HARDI No.107 is the vessel in question.

[Ian Burns]

Thank you gentlemen,

 

As I expected this forum was able to answer the most obscure enquiries.

 

Best regards

Ian