Army Tug

Here's the 1890 steam tug ELMORE undergoing a big rebuild to her bow after blowing into a breakwater in a storm. She originally was coal fired steam, then oil steam, then a series of diesels until now she has a 1930s Atlas. Many of the steam engine parts were deposited in the bilge for ballast as the powering got lighter and lighter over the many years of service. Now a tug yacht, she shows the beauty of the type.

 

The 1917 WHITEFIN, built for Tom Crowley, was a successful conversion of tug to motorsailor that sailed very well. She was long and lean, with gentle waterlines, very easy buttocks and about 18 degrees of deadrise. The 3 masted Chinese rig worked as planned but she could have carried more sail. Next to her is REDLEG, a reduced size and modified SPRAY, also with Chinese lug.

 

Battan I like that old Girl. This 45 footer is for sale in Maine.


http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucitsrh/#

 

They must have built a lot of these as I've seen a least a dozen working on various waterfronts.