No, tugster is not launching an “antiques road show,” although that’s an idea. I got the next three photos from Kevin, a reader in Wisconsin, who explains that his mother bought this ship’s lantern in a Malone NY antiques store “about 70 years ago.” The place had some NYC curios; for example, the same visit she bought this, she also bought a leather passenger handle for a NYC trolley.
Kevin writes that the lantern was originally from a Dutch ship (“bakboord” IS the Dutch word for port; stuurboord is the Dutch word for starboard.) and then used on a tugboat, Tug No. 118. So here’s the question: where was there a Tug No. 118? NYC? Toronto? Buffalo?
Note the oil and wick lighting apparatus.
While we’re focusing on this detail and seeing tug’s towing while moving astern, check out the next set of photos that come through Steve Munoz and from Tommy Bryceland.
Ayton Cross clearly has two sets of lights, easier to see on the photo above but with more context below.
So does Bugsier 10, although it’s harder to see.
The easy answer must be that CFRs do not require this adaptation for US tugs, but I wonder if it has been considered.
Thanks to Kevin, Steve, and Tommy for the photos, observations, and questions.
Click here for previous posts in this series.
5 comments
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January 14, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Christian Herrou
Hello
In French we talk about amphidrome ship – amphidrome means something going on both way – it’s the case for some ships but also trains, truck …
Then when a ship is a real amphidrome it’s required to have navigation light for both way like on your Ayton Cross picture –
This is also the case in US for example for “amphidrome” like the New York / Staten Island ferries and about tugs there is many case of “amphidrome” tug equiped with navigation for both way – i.e. the Voith tugs America, Garth Foss, Lindsey Foss, Guard, Protector, Tanerliq, Nanuq and many others
Best regards Xtian
January 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm
tugster
Merci, Xtian. I love to learn new words, and amphidrome is a good one. Happy and safe 2018.
January 18, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Jim M
My cynical self suspects that the lantern is a fake…..
Any research to indicate its real?
January 18, 2018 at 5:12 pm
tugster
Hi Jim– Fake? I don’t know. I was told it’s been in the family since the 1940s. Were they doing fake lanterns in the 1940s?
February 9, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Kevin K
Definitely not a fake. It’s been in our family since the late 40s/early 50s. I understand it wasn’t a particularly ostentatious purchase, or prized antique, over the years. More of a curiosity. The “Tug 118” plate made me want to research where there might have been such a tug.