In 1965 both push tugs Alder and Bream were fitted with Armstrong Siddeley Merganser engines, common replacement for their original Bolinders. Alder’s Armstrong Siddeley however soon seized and it was fitted with a new Lister HR2 engine, this is still in situ and in running order. Both tugs went into service dredging the Coventry Canal, based at Hillmorton. Over the next few years Alder was based at Hillmorton, Hatton and on the Northampton Section.

 

In late 1968, problems with the shape of the tug and its draught were corrected by the fitting of new bows at the British Waterways repair yard in Gloucester Docks. The ‘new’ bows were taken from an ex. Birmingham iron dayboat no 2347, built in 1951, probably by Harris Brothers of Netherton for a Salford company, wire makers Fred Power & Sons. The day boat had been based on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and was surplus to requirements.

 

The work at Gloucester was done at the request of Kennet & Avon Canal engineers who needed a tug on that canal and in 1970 following a major overhaul at Bulls Bridge when an engine driven bilge pump and electrical start were fitted the tug was sent to Padworth on the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

 

It worked along the canal and was most recently seen working at Burbage in 2000.