Towboat Herkules

The towboat Herkules is a port towboat built in 1939 at the Öresundsvarvet shipyard in Landskrona for CL Hansson Stuveri AB in Gothenburg. With her 750 hp diesel engine she was the strongest towboat in Gothenburg port upon delivery, and the first towboat to be equipped with a KaMeWa propeller, an adjustable propeller that facilitated forward and backward movement, as the angle of the propeller blade could be adjusted. Take a look at a film made by Berg Propulsion. It shows a little of the extensive renovation work carried out on Herkules’ propeller during its shipyard visit in 2009.

The Herkules was built during the transition period between steam and engine power and was fitted with a diesel engine from the beginning but retained the tall funnel characteristic of a steam boat. She is now classified for passenger traffic and was culturally listed in 2002, as she is considered particularly valuable from a cultural historical perspective.

The towboat can be hired by private individuals and companies for a tour of the archipelago. Go to www.herkules.o.se for bookings and further information.

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