Steve’s uncle Bob was a captain and pilot on the Dalzelleagle/McAllister Bros from 1968 to 1985. That makes for a special connection and lots of vintage photos. Enjoy these thanks to Steve. I’ll use his captions.
Dalzelleagle assisting ship in East River in September 1968.
Dalzelleagle heading down Buttermilk Channel-from pier 12 Brooklyn in September 1970. The tug is interesting, but so are the details in the background.
Cook Ralph Andreason waves from the stern on Dalzelleagle departing 69th St pier Brooklyn in September 1970.
McAllister Bros in North River off Hoboken pier on August 24, 1973.
The is the same time and place, roughly. The Twin Towers had opened earlier that year.
Tug McAllister Bros leading Atlantic Champagne thru Newark Bay Draw on July 5, 1976. This picture brings to mind a story that my Uncle Bob Munoz told me. Bob was a captain and pilot on the Dalzelleagle/McAllister Bros from 1968 to 1985. One time he was piloting a ship in Newark Bay toward the Newark Bay Draw Bridge and a woman passenger came over to him on the bridge of the ship and asked him if the ship was going through that little opening in the bridge. Bob said that they were. She then asked how he did that. So he looked at her and said, “When we get real close I just close my eyes.” Atlantic Champagne, an ACL vessel, was launched in 1969 with a teu capacity of a dazzling 882 teu.
McAllister Bros in Newark Bay from a ship on June 26, 1987. That CRRNJ bridge was used starting in 1926; I saw some remaining piers about a decade ago, but it is entirely gone now. Given the raising of the Bayonne Bridge, keep in mind that vertical clearance here was 136′. Maybe someone can tell me the width of the channel.
McAllister Bros galley on January 11, 2001,
and her engine room on the same date.
And finally, McAllister Brothers here along with Christine M. McAllister on November 6, 2006.
It’s hard to say good bye. Many thanks to Steve for use of these photos.
And thanks to Birk Thomas for posting this on FB today, Dalzell Towing.
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April 19, 2021 at 11:38 am
Lee Rust
As Dalzelleagle, the tug’s upper works show an elaborate woodgrain pattern. In addition, the view of the galley shows what appears to be wooden structural elements. Would a tug of 1958 vintage have an actual wooden superstructure?
April 19, 2021 at 12:56 pm
tugster
That’s a fancy paint job on steel. Here’s info on two companies that used it: https://www.tugboatinformation.com/company.cfm?id=94 I’ve heard descriptions of how the old-timers created the effect with a sponge. Today you could do it with a combo of brush and spray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4lQmjA6BQw
April 19, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Lee Rust
Very interesting. The extra effort and expense that went into the execution and maintenance of that special paintwork represents an old-fashioned pride of ownership that might seem rather quaint these days.
April 19, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Tony a
The Buttermilk pic looks like whec-716 USCGC Dallas which is now the pride of the Philippines Navy.
The ferry is probably Minue or Coursen.
The apartment buildings also gone.
April 19, 2021 at 12:58 pm
tugster
Thx, Tony. I had no way of knowing what USCG boats were there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Dallas_(WHEC-716)
April 20, 2021 at 12:33 pm
tugster
From a reader, the CNJ Newark Bay Drawbridges had two openings, 200 and 125 feet in breadth. Thx, PO