In my favorite field guide to birds, there’s a section devoted to “exotics,” species you may observe in the Northeast but which are not indigenous to this region; some of these birds got here as stowaways and others are pets escaped or released into the wild. As I think about “tugster: the project,” I imagine an exotic category as well. There is tjalk Livet here and here (scroll through). Also, there is Golden Re’al here.
And what this has to do with the card below will become evident. First, notice the vessel name Marine Trader, the second word “bumboat” in the subtitle, and name of the president, father to the author.
Click the photo below and scroll through to see info on the man in the 1921 Chevy AND his connection to the vessel below.
Which leads me to this exotic.
The port of registry painted on the stern AND the landmarks in the background will locate these photos.
That bell is from neither New York nor Duluth.
But the helm seems vintage late 1930s.
The repurposed interior is warm and light. Click here to compare the current art studio interior with what it used to be in Duluth.
Many thanks to Herb for a tour of his unique vessel. Part of me felt I’d stumbled back in time and encountered John Noble as in here and here.
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March 19, 2014 at 8:30 am
Harry
I saw Memory Motel last time I walked around Liberty Landing. Seems like it needs a bumper sticker: “If you see this boat a-rockin’, don’t come knockin’!”
June 16, 2020 at 4:44 am
tugster
I recently read of “bum boats” operating out of the Rondout, in this case in 1909. The book was Canal Boatman: My life on Upstate Waterways by Richard Garrity. Great read. The “bum boats” (because they bummed a ride,typing on as a tow went by) sold fresh meats, eggs, baked goods . . .etc. It’s in the chapter called “Hudson River Boating”
April 1, 2021 at 11:57 am
CHERYL L BROWN
Can anyone tell me where the Memory Motel is now? Still the same owners? Thank You!
May 16, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Anonymous
Liberty Landing near Paulus Hook in Jersey City, NJ