Max K and Alex T

The images in this gallery are part of the Hartlepool Museum Service collection, although the exact date they were taken, or by whom, is not known. The following information has been extracted from an article compiled by Philip Simons, which appeared in the May 2013 (No.194) ‘Tees Packet’, journal of the Teesside Branch of the World Ship Society:

The Max K was originally built as the Torpedoschulfahrzeuge Ente at Hamburg in October 1942 (O.N.330042), by Pohl & Jozwiak. She was completed on March 27^th, 1943 and given the Pennant TF21.

She was of 62 tons displacement, measuring 85 x 15 x 4½ft, powered by a 4SA6 cylinder MWM Diesel, producing 240 bhp, giving her a speed of 11 knots. In July 1945 she was based at Kiel with the Marine-Bergungs-und Seenotdienst-Kommando (MBSK), the Naval Salvage and Rescue Command.

In 1948 she became the Ente of Bugsier, Hamburg and then in 1961 was bought by Collins Submarine Pipe Lines Ltd, Southampton, and renamed Max K.

The Alex T was originally built as the Pilot, by Hepple & Co. Ltd, South Shields in 1905 Yard No.552), for the Gravesend Pilots. She was of 39grt, 7nrt, measuring 62.0 x 14.2 x 6.7ft. The 1949 Lloyds Lists shows the vessel owned by Clifford K. Cannon, at the Gravesend Pilot Station.

This vessel was in the 1963 & 1966 Lloyds Official Lists as O.N.120583, owned by Collins Submarine Pipe Lines Ltd of Southampton, Manager Alexander G. Taylor (Alex T), and was still in the 1980 List as “Alex T”, now owned by Dawson-Keith (Marine) Ltd, Hillview Works, Hillview Road, Sutton, Surrey.

Gallery images

• Alex T (1)
• Alex T (2)
• Alex T (3)
• Alex T (4)
• Max K (1)
• Max K (2)
• Max K (3)
• Max K (4)
• Max and Alex (1)
• Max and Alex (2)