The latest equinox is upon us, leading us to ways of celebrating it . . . making a “value-added” NOT tax but event. For some, it’s World Storytelling Day! I like that. It’s a huge improvement over last week’s “Talk Like a Sea-going Thug” day that lots of folks mark. What I wonder is why someone would participate in a holidays that involves saying very little . . all style and little substance. I’d rather create an “act like Robin Hood Day” . . or “smile like Mona Lisa Day.”
I’d love it if someone told me more of the stories implied here, like who was Eileen M. Roehrig and where did El Gallo (former names of vessel North Sea) operate? Kimberly Poling (in the background) used to be Jaguar. What was her work history?
And if Nord Observer observed anything in the Nord, what was it?
What has been the high point in Robert IV’s one-third century history?
Has Bohemia ever traveled up even a portion of the Bohemia River? Could it even?
What thoughts did folks on board and on shore have about Kristy Ann ‘s style when she first hit the waters?
See the crewman in the extreme left side of this foto. Who is he? Where’s he from? How long’s he been going to sea? What curiosity does he have about the sixth boro?
Have folks associated with Morton seen bowsprite’s drawing?
What was peak drama in the half-century life of Thomas D. Witte? How did DonJon–from all the other colors–
choose this elegant shade of blue? I mean it . . . I like this color.
Happy equinox, and celebrate World Storytelling Day, an event whose patron saint or muse or whatever you want to call it should be Scherazade.
If this link works, it’ll take you to a huge powerpoint presentation on Rotterdam’s recent “World Harbor Days,” a phenomenal water festival where tugboats, pilot boats, security and rescue services, dredgers, cargo vessels, AND Chinese dancers and a draak (dragon) got involved. Could the sixth boro do this? If so, THAT would be a story. Click here for the first of many youtubes about the event.
I’m off on a gallivant this weekend. Anyone have suggestions on where to find interesting vessels on the Potomac in the Arlington area?
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September 22, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Harold E. Tartell
Answers to a few questions. Eileen M. Roehrig is Christopher Roehrig’s wife (former owner C R Harbor Towing, Roehrig Maritime). EL GALLO GRANDE worked both in the Gulf and North Sea Oil Patch as an anchor handling tug for the oil rigs, plus general towing in the Gulf. JAGUAR was formerly owned by Mobro Marine http://www.mobromarine.com/ and did general Ocean Towing & movement of their equipment. The McAllister Tug astern of EVER RADIANT is the ELLEN. The Bohemia River is 4.7 miles long with depths of 7 feet or more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia_River . Tug BOHEMIA draws between 14 & 15 feet of water. I don’t think that she would be traversing the river bearing her name. No oil facilities either probably situated on the river. THOMAS D. WITTE has had an interesting 50 year life. Built in 1961 as VALOIL, a canal tug for Valentine Transfer Corp., she was the most powerful and only twin screw canaller in the NYS Barge Canal at that time. She was equipped with a retractable pilothouse, and boasted 2110 hp. She was sold to Poling Transportation, and renamed JUNE C. She never saw the canal again, as her pilothouse was made permanent. Poling owned her up until 1990, when she was sold to Marine Petroleum Transport (MPT), New York, & renamed MATTY J. In 1992, she changed hands once again to become Russell Tripp’s (Bay State Towing) TAMMY. In 1998, she was once again renamed RELIANCE. In 2006, Bart Brake (Empire Harbor Marine), which later became Port Albany Ventures bought her & renamed her KENDALL P. BRAKE. In 2009, Donjon Marine bought out PAV, and she was renamed, and is at present the THOMAS D. WITTE.
September 22, 2011 at 7:29 pm
JED
ELLEN McALLISTER is the former US Navy YTB793 PIQUA; formerly homeported out of Norfolk, VA
September 23, 2011 at 10:27 am
HT
When Chris owned the Eileen M. Roehrig she was chartered to Penn Maritime towing the Penn 121 around the east coast for a few years.
September 23, 2011 at 11:59 am
HT
Also Tugster you might find this interesting, the tug Matty J (Thomas D.Witte) when she was owned by MPT , was a garbage boat towing N.Y sanitation scows to the fresh kills on S.I. from 1990 to 1992. MPT only existed for the garbage contract really, when Dennis lost the contract he closed up shop and sold everything.MPT was located in the Morris Canal N.J.at the time.
September 24, 2011 at 9:06 am
tugster
harold, jed, HT . . . i appreciate the stories. thank you.
September 25, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Anonymous
No, she worked mostly for Moran…Ksea for about 6 months but the bulk of the time it was Moran towing Oil & Coal..
CR
September 25, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Tony A
Some comments on the Kristy Ann Reinauer after having worked on her for a few weeks. She was purchased from Maritrans in a deal involving two other boats. Basically she was packaged in, and Reinauer got her for free. Her first captain John K, an excellent boat man, loved her. She turned out to be very capable for assist work and even moving barges. She can push or tow alongside 20,000 bbl barges. She actually fits right into the notch. She suffered from poor image, the management at Reinauer didn’t really like her, despite her being free, cheap to run, and just a capable as a pointed tug. So she was neglected. She was not repaired and was eventually laid up.
When Reinauer sold the Janice Ann Reinauer to Nigeria, the crew went over and reactivated the Kristy. She stays busy assisting Reinauer’s larger units into and out of their berths and moving the 20 series barges, sometimes to Newburgh and as far as Long Island Sound, weather permitting. She just received all new fendering on the sides of her bow, so I guess Reinauer wants to use her for awhile.
I found her to be very comfortable and with flanking rudders, quite maneuverable.
September 26, 2011 at 5:47 am
tugster
thanks, tony.
September 26, 2011 at 10:18 am
HT
Anonymous that was after Penn charter, when Penn put tug Dolphin on the 121.
September 26, 2011 at 12:40 pm
HT
Sorry Tugster and anonymous it was the Annabelle Roehrig that was charted to Penn.Retirement has made me senile I think, seeing I did not remember the name of the tug that towed us around LOL. Have a good day!
September 26, 2011 at 2:43 pm
tugster
HT– so i’m not the only one experiencing senile moments? wow!
September 26, 2011 at 4:11 pm
HT
Nope, at least i am good company!
September 26, 2011 at 4:17 pm
HT
See I did it again, forgot to put “in” after am LOL have a great nite!