So the difference that makes the “really” is that several folks have contributed these photos.
Starting in Toronto with Jan van der Doe, here’s M. R. Kane, which has appeared here and here previously on this blog. In the first link, you’ll see Kane towing the hull that would become tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry.
Next three photos came from Allan Seymour, who took them as he traversed the Cape Cod Canal recently. This Independence is rated at 5400 hp.
Bohemia and barge wait to pass.
And Buckley McAllister shares escort work on the Canal with Independence.
The rest of these photos I’ve caught recently, all of tugs I’d not previously seen. Miss Ila came through the sixth boro Saturday,
Miss Lizzy I saw Friday, and
Performance I saw in Massena earlier this month, and
Robinson Bay. These last two are operated by DOT’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), which is looking to replace these aging tugs. Robinson Bay (103′ loa and built in Wisconsin in 1957) and Performance (50′ and Indiana, 1997) do maintenance work on the US portions of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
Thanks to Jan and Allan for the first photos here. All the others are by Will Van Dorp.
tugster: a waterblog 
5 comments
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September 27, 2016 at 1:15 pm
fatolbaldguy
I just recently came across your blog. I was stationed in New York City at the VTS on Staten Island while in the Coast Guard. You picture so many of the tugs I worked with and did rides on. It’s like seeing old friends. Thank You
September 27, 2016 at 5:03 pm
tugster
Glad you enjoy the photos. If you have any from your time in the harbor and wish to share, id love to see them, to compare then/now …
September 27, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Les Sonnenmark
I’d like to add an adverb to your description of PERFORMANCE and ROBINSON BAY: they’re aging gracefully. The tugs, plus their associated crane barge GRASSE RIVER (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZBxX2K-sOc/Te9-XG6r5yI/AAAAAAAAB3w/pMZI6zlLDT4/s1600/Grasse_River_Robinson_Bay_Performance%252C%2BCooledge%2B2011.jpg), are minimally used and meticulously maintained. GRASSE RIVER’s only purpose is to be able to replace a broken lock gate, a rare occurrence. She is taken on an annual training exercise by ROBINSON BAY and PERFORMANCE; otherwise, she sits in Massena being polished. The tugs also assist in retrieving buoys in the winter and setting them again in the spring. They are beautiful museum pieces–you could eat out of the bilges in the tugs. The need for replacement is really just because their machinery is unsupported by the original equipment manufacturers.
September 27, 2016 at 5:02 pm
tugster
Thanks, Les. I didn’t get to see them close up, but they did look good.
September 28, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Martt
The USACE tug MIKE DONLAN having graced this blog in the past is based on the PERFORMANCE. Both built at Marine Builders in Utica IN.The MIKE DONLAN being a little different. Being a bit wider , smaller engines , no deck heaters [ being a Phila. Engr. Dist. vessel not really required . But would have been nice.] MIKE DONLAN now in Cleveland , those deck heaters I’m sure would be nice now.