Liverpool Cock Tugs

There was a period of time when smaller boats were used by ships, these were called cocks, or cockboats, and the people in charge of them were called coxswains, which is now a term used in rowing. Screw towing is moving ships with tugs and lighterage is when you transfer cargo from a larger ship to a smaller one.

Cock Tugs –– Liverpool Screw Towing & Lighterage Co. –– 28 Brunswick St. Liverpool, 1928.

The River Mersey has seen a large number of tugs from varying fleets in operation – the days of seeing tugs from Alexandra Towing, Liverpool Screw Towing (the Cock tugs), Rea Towing, Lamey, Furness Withy and others are long gone.