Random Tugs 44

Lil Rip !!  I’d seen this unique tug twice before;  both times were in the Rondout on rainy, dark days.  To see Lil Rip yesterday in the euphoric October light . . . it has been worth the long wait.  Long waits usually make outcomes more satisfying, eh?  Lil Rip, the Empire State Building and even the Chrysler Building!  I am

satisfied.  Now I understand why my friend Jeff Anzevino chased it through 30 miles of the upriver portion of the Hudson to get pictures a few days ago.  Go, Jeff!   I’d like to do a whole post on Lil Rip:  the three-exhaust configuration itself qualifies as unusual.  Help me with some specs/genealogy and I’ll put up more fotos.  Here she’s following bulker Florence Lily, delivered by Oshima Shipbuilding in Spring 2009.  Lil Rip brings dynamic color (October leaf-red & yellow)  to the otherwise gray cityscape;

It’s Miss Gill (ex-Samson, Karl Foss, Mister Mike)  1970 last week and smaller sibling

Captain D (ex-Dick Bollinger) 1974 from last summer.

Christine McAllister (ex-William L. Conlon) 1975 of Great Lakes Dock and Dredge, and Kimberly Turecamo (ex-Rebecca P)  1980.

Penn No. 4 (ex-Morania No. 4)  1973.

Co (ex-Draco) 1951 and based in New Bedford!  Some rainy day I can imagine the fun to be had figuring out “re-namings” for vessels using this subtraction method.  Like Falcon could become Fa . . . or DEP North River could re-enter as No River . . . you get the idea.

Take my word for this one:  the tug dividing the shimmery water from the wintry sky is Volunteer (1982).

McAllister Brothers has an interesting stack/top of wheelhouse line.  I can’t help notice the drab yellow & red foliage on the far bank.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.  Check out Jeff’s 2010 calendars, one of which is a fundraiser.

Bonus:  two more Lil Rip closeups.  Portside . . .  with Goldman Sachs in background;  safety buoy is Albany . . .?

and starboard.  And to add here what I put in comment, if Lil Rip is little, I’m eager to see Rip or  BIG RIP!