The Steam Tugboat “San Esteban”, a Gem from 1902

In the entrance area of Navalia 2022, the steam tugboat “San Esteban”, known as “the steam tug”, is displayed, a gem of riveted shipbuilding dating back to 1902, the year it was completed at the Phillips & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. shipyard in Dartmouth (England).

In its first five years of maritime life, it bore the name “Venture” as a fishing vessel.

In 1907, it was transformed into a tugboat owned by the Vasco-Asturian Railway General Society and remained in service until 1970, based in the port of San Esteban de Pravia.

Restored between 1998 and 2003 by the Protective Society of the Tugboat “San Esteban”, led by naval engineer José Cardín, manager of the Sidra El Gaitero company. Between 2021 and 2022, it was restored again by Talleres Carral, in celebration of its centenary, a company that is now part of the Ferri Group.

Photo: Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo