Regarding Bill Targett himself.....
He was an engineer on the harbour tugs in Southampton. The father of the skipper of the tug that I am engineer on in Southampton, spent 20 years sailing with Bill. From the stories I have been told by the tug crews and from the lads that sailed with him, he was a prolific member of the Hampshire/ South Coast preservation movement. When he was on the tugs they were steam powered - coal when he started and subsequently converted to oil sometime around the 60s as my skipper's dad started in 71 I think on the last oil fired steam tug.
I am new to the steam scene (I was crewing for Mr Maggs on the Garrett "Katrina" at the event) so only know the stories from blokes that sailed with Bill. I don't know if he had his own engine, but I'm certain I've been told that as he was a steam engineer, he helped maintain a fair few as well as championing the cause for all types of vintage machinery.
I hope that helps to get the ball rolling as I would also love to hear more about him.
Ben
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