The origins of the bow thruster have been discussed vaguely over time here, but I think I have found one of the earliest examples.
A Russian ship Sverdlov was inspected by a British diver in 1955(the famous Commander Crabb) and they found 'a hole in the bow with a propellor inside'. It was being inspected (covertly) to find out how it could manouver so easily without tugs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Crabb
Can anyone find an earlier example?
Stu
