Revised: August 2022
Thanks for reading my blog, whose goal is to help landfolk see my home waters — the port of New York — from the water perspective. The “sixth boro” is my invented term for the waters in and around the port. Part of my motivation is that mainstream media are “terracentric,” overlooking sixth boro news to a large degree. I strive to be the opposite: maricentric. If you like what you see on this blog, tell me about it. My blog was featured in a February 18, 2011 profile by Alexis Mainland in The New York Times. Read it here.
In fact, if you see a vessel you think is unique in some way and have a camera, send me an email [ parrotlect ( at ) gmail (dot) com ] and maybe a foto and I may put it up, credit to you. I have no commercial intent, but I like the idea of collaboration and am easy to get along with. In fact, I have a whole series called “other peoples photos.”
Although the blog focuses on New York harbor and places accessible from it, my native “adopted” waters are on the Pow Wow in New Hampshire, flowing out of Country Pond, on whose bank I lived a few happy isolated years, years ago now. The Pow Wow meanders about 30 miles to cover less than 5 miles as a heron could fly. Foto below from 2004 shows my preferred helm style up there, best way to see muskrats, beavers, water snakes, pickerel. Moose and bear are there too although I never saw any from the vessel. A favorite “eating-out” up there was paddling along the blueberry bushes for a snack.
OK, it’s time to add a stand-up canoeing photo from 2018, below, after paddling around a lake in Bon Echo Provincial Park’s Mazinaw Lake looking for pictographs.
In spring 2015, I received my Merchant Mariner Credential for Master “of self-propelled vessels . . . less than 100 gross tons upon inland waters” and was looking to work on this, although the job has to be a great fit. I also have the STCW BST. But I chose to follow a different path and worked contractually with Blount Small Ships Adventures as onboard lecturer from 2016 until 2019, as it seemed to build on skills I’d developed over decades. Some trips are recorded as Go West and Gallatin’s Ditches. The most recent series based on a Blount trip is here . . CB, short for Chicago bound.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 had a devastating impact on everything, so Blount canceled their 2020 season, and subsequently put their small ships up for sale.
Since 2013, my work–articles and photos–has also appeared in the magazine called Professional Mariner. To read them, look along the drop-down menu for “publications,” and you’ll find most if not all my articles… several dozen now.
I did the photos for this article about Capt. Log, now retired and scrapped, and wrote the story here about a new use for an older tugboat Cornell. I continue to write/photograph for the magazine when the spirit moves me.
In 2011 Gary Kane and I began work on a documentary about the ship graveyard near Rossville in the Arthur Kill. I’ve written about the final product here and did a post about the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival here. You can read a review from Wired magazine here, and order a copy by contacting me.
Summer 2008 I completed an Masters of Fine Arts degree in writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts, a marker that has me plotting alternate courses. If you look on the left side of tugster page, you’ll see a yellowish icon of an oil refinery and reference to “Babylonian Captivity,” that is a free book you can read there, a non-fiction account of the August through December 1990 experience I had as a hostage in Iraq. Scroll through this article for evidence.
Personal stuff: I’m Aquarius, of course, of a dragon year. My favorite book as a kid was Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling. As a kid, I lived near Lake Ontario, where I learned to swim (Sodus) and the Erie Canal, where I first fished (Lyons). If you’ve read that book, you’ll love this story from October 2020.
Some favorite authors are Herman Melville and Farley Mowat.
If you want some other good reads, try Carsten Jensen’s We the Drowned and Alvaro Mutis’ The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll. From the first long career, I’m now retired;
time is ripe for what one friend calls the renaissance.
Companion animal/familiar: feathered, green, ancient. Formerly the familiar of one Long John Silver, of which he spoke fondly. Never revealed whereabouts of many buried treasures. Didn’t respond to any name although I called him by Nigel, the name used by the man I inherited him from. When my neighbors looked after Nigel, I learned they renamed him Charlie.
Unfortunately last fall, Charley breathed his last after at least 45 years of flying and all-around loud criticism of everything.
Happy reading the blog.
108 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 11, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Silvia McFadzean
Very interesting Mr. Van Dorp. I can’t read it all right now, you know … finals! but whenever I am done will be back.
S. McFadzean
October 30, 2007 at 11:44 am
Mimi
Question for Tugster:
I’ve been trying to find out for a while now about what appears to be a large cruise liner off the New Jersey shore? I think it’s viewable from Red Hook. Any idea of what that is?
November 2, 2007 at 6:07 pm
The Fact
Oh New York…The city of my dreams. Hope to live there at some point of my life, though don’t know how this dream will turn out. Will be reading your blog, keep up 🙂
May 18, 2008 at 10:21 pm
al lindner
Thanks for your efforts, I really enjoy your blog!
If you send me your postal address I will send you a copy of the magazine of the International Tug Enthusiasts Society, LEKKO.
I represent LEKKO here in America.
Kind regards
June 30, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Alcina Figueiredo
Hello Will,
Nice to see you again on this marvelous picture… The best place on earth to find you…
I just took a quick look at your amazing blog for now… It has grown a lot since my last visit… Of course it is always in good shape for it has the best master…
I hope to come more often now that I added your blog to mine…Your are welcome to visit any time my blog, actually it will be a honor…it is nothing like yours… I have turned into a “poet” ( That’s what they call me). There is a few in English…I’m still working on it…
My best regards to you with a great summer ahead of you,
Alcina ( Cina)
August 2, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Alcina Figueiredo
Hi Will,
This is my new blog adress…
Have a great summer!!!
Nice pictures of the dragons…
Alcina
January 3, 2009 at 6:57 am
Mark Kreider
Fascinating blog! I have a photo of a retired tug boat I’d like you to see.
April 3, 2009 at 6:09 pm
susan peterson gateley
Ahoy Tugster,
Do you have any up to date news on the fate of the Peking? Was she sold?
I’ve been poking around the virtual NYC harbor as a result of making a connection with a former owner of our little schooner who once lived there.
I’m wondering about the current state of her former home, the south street seaport which I gather has fallen on hard times… (I”m writing a little booklet for limited distribution about our little ship’s “life on the edge” in the littoral zone.)
April 20, 2009 at 8:25 am
Steve Gordon
Would you like any articles on the Jones Act?
April 20, 2009 at 8:33 pm
morris Canal
Great site, Will.
I love the Photos and personal touches, like your stories of animals above and links to Bowsprite, et al.
r
June 1, 2009 at 11:12 am
David Cole
I have been looking for pictures of Belcher And Coastal towing in Miami Florida and can not find any. I worked for Belcher Towing in the 60s and would like to find some photos. If you know where I could find some please let me know. Thanks
David Cole
January 1, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Dan Sessler
David, If you haven’t already go to http://www.tugboatinformation.com
Belcher Towing is mentioned in there. Only one of their tugs is actually pictured, the “J.A. Belcher, SR.”
March 1, 2014 at 1:15 am
Anonymous
I recently acquired the old Belcher Towing yard on 22nd ave were the marine railway was located. I’m baffled at the lack of photos of this company and it’s equipment. If anyone’s got anything, please email me.
June 5, 2009 at 11:16 am
TheLongIslandGuy
Great blog, Will. I’ve loved tugboats all my life, so needless to say I appreciate and enjoy what you’re doing here. Please keep up the great work. -Bill
June 7, 2009 at 8:30 pm
fayezie
Hey! Like the photos… and perspective that one may not otherwise get to see…. I like the narrative of boat traffic….
June 19, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Jeff from the Lilac
Nice site, next time your on the Lilac ask for me.
July 19, 2009 at 1:13 pm
bigsurkate
Very nice blog, with quite a history. Tells a wonderful story through its words and photographs. I enjoyed my visit here, and hope to come back more often.
August 10, 2009 at 11:04 am
Gotham Gazette
Great blog!
September 30, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Rick Marcellus
Hi Will, Great photos/text on the ‘Urger”…Did you get any images of her dressed-up as a McDonalds take-out @ the round-up, courtesy of the “Lois McClure” crew??? It was quite a prank!!!, but I didn’t get to see it, as I’d left for home in Rochester earlier. If not, do you have any idea where the images can be found online, as they’re supposed to be here somewhere??? Great to see you again, & get to know you better @ the Roundup!!!
Best regards, Rick Marcellus[“Urger ” deckhand(not Mike)
October 1, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Jeff Yastine
Tugster… stumbled upon your blog. Brings back some very happy memories. Dad used to be a quartermaster many years ago on Circle Line, and I heard all the stories of the comings and goings in NY harbor (at least during the summers when Circle Line was running). I always looked forward to being in the pilothouse with him for my once-a-summer trip as we circled Manhattan.
By the way, what’s considered the trickiest bridge for a tug to steer a container ship underneath? The Bayonne Bridge?
February 16, 2010 at 1:23 am
Tom D
Howdy Tugster,
Your website makes me miss the water.
I teach sailing in NY Harbor in fairer weather and spend a bit of time avoiding other boats, especially big loaded tugs. They look so slow but before you know it, they’re right there.
Keep up the good work on the “6th boro”.
If I see your rig on the water I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out and a wave while avoiding five blasts.
Cheers!
March 6, 2010 at 5:03 pm
John van der Doe
Will,
Love your site and tugboat pictures are going in my tugboatfile (East Coast Tugs)
Regards,
John van der Doe.
Fergus, ON.
March 24, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Vicente
Hallo! Wie geth es dir? Mir geht es ganz Gut. Hello Profesor! I was looking your pictures, which I find very interesting. I am your student in UCC. Ob du hast Photos aus Europea, sendst du mich. Ich habe mein Deutsch vergessen. Bitte! Also! Bis bald!
Vicente
April 18, 2010 at 9:34 am
Rock The Boat
The phot of the bridge on your header is nice -what’s the name of said bridge?
April 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
tugster
rock–said bridge is the too-low but oh-so-beautiful bayonne bridge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayonne_Bridge
April 18, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Edward Skowronski
Hello Tugster. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction or lend me any information you might have on the tugboat called the “Evening Tide.” In about 1981, before I was born, my grandfather(from Bayonne) was a deckhand on the tug. He was actually killed on the boat when a thick rope snapped and hit him in the chest. That is the extent of what I have ever known, and I would just like to get any information/publication/pictures of or about the tug, that incident, or even the company. The end result would just be me finding out more about the grandfathers line of work and passing, and to present my father with all this information in a scrapbook. He was thrilled when I found the the picture of the tug on this blog, so I could imagine how he would feel with any type of information about his fathers time on the tug.
January 25, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Wes from OPO
Edward Skowronski; Today is my 1st time viewing Tugster, odd that I ran across your post. In 1988 I worked aboard a tug called “Evening Tide”, as a beginner deckhand. “ET” was part of the Bouchard Transportation fleet, employed primarily in fuel barge work in the NYC area, but in the brief period I worked for Bouchard, I went as far south as Delaware then up to Philly, and as far north as Portsmouth, N.H. At that time Bouchard’s offices were located in Hicksville, Long Island , New York. Hope this helps you.
Regards, Wes from OPO
April 18, 2010 at 4:28 pm
tugster
edward–if you got me info like your grandfather’s full name, i might find something. for now, here’s the company site http://www.bouchardtransport.com/tugs.php and a set of posts i’ve done featuring Evening Tide https://tugster.wordpress.com/?s=evening+tide
April 19, 2010 at 9:07 am
ed
Whoops, sorry I left that out. His name was Edward Vincent Skowronski. I asked my father and he said he died in late may 1982 at the age of 55. Thanks for replying so fast and I appreciate the help. I was also thinking of contacting the company to see if they have any records from back then, like a crew log or anything like that, would you know if they hold information like that and if they even give it out? Thanks again for the help.
February 21, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Bob Monahan
Hi I saw an article in the New York Times, it was called tugster and I noticed your request about your grandfather Bayone Ed . I worked with him a few times on the Evening Tide he was quite a guy well liked a good crew mate. everyone was very upset when he was injured and died.
May 11, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Lori
http://wwwjarvishouse.blogspot.com/
visit my blog Jarvis House and see and read about the Nantucket. Search for Historic Ships and the Nantucket on the blog and read about towing the Nantucket on Monday May 10th.
June 19, 2010 at 12:07 pm
rick o'shea
I love your website am building a 37inch 3/8 scale tug love tugs and all on your websate all the best RICK O’SHEA
July 15, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Mike Kavolius
Love your blog, use to live in Bayonne as a youngster and spent hours on th Kill Van Kull 1st Street watching ships and tugs. Can one still film in the park on 1st Street?
Keep up the good work!
July 15, 2010 at 2:51 pm
tugster
mike–the park is there and i’ve seen people in it, but i’ve never filmed from there. maybe i should try it.
December 6, 2014 at 10:36 pm
M Holland
Absolutely film from there tugster!!! Grew up on the Kill on First St. and Mom still lives there. Perfect views, especially as ships are guided under the Bayonne Bridge. Love watching, always have. Comming back as a tugboat captain and next time being a girl is not gonna stop me! Great blog!
August 11, 2010 at 7:52 pm
A McIntosh
A while back I had emailed you requesting any information regarding my grandfather who was the captain of the Gwendoline Steers. I did recieve a reply from you and then had to change my email address. Some of my family members who have also been doing research came across replys to me that were posted on your website. I unfortunately have not been able to locate these. If I could once again appeal to your kindness and enthusiasm and ask you to forward or direct me to any information you may have it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you from a fellow aquarian(of course)
August 26, 2010 at 1:41 am
Anonymous
did you ever work with Wally Hayes on the BT tugs?
August 26, 2010 at 7:36 am
steve knox
There is a facebook site called, “The Gwendoline Steers and her Crew in Memoriam”. Please feel free to check it out A McIntosh.
November 12, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Kathy
Dear Tugster,
I’m visiting via Maggie’s “Postcards”.
My love of tugboats began when I was a little girl and my dad would take me down to the docks on the Phila. waterfront. I’ve ALWAYS thought tugboats exciting (seconded by pilot boats). If I can figure out a way to email you photos I took of a few tugs, I will certainly do that.
The photos of the tugs assisting the limping Carnival ship are remarkable. Kathy
December 2, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Heikki Lappalainen
It was a great pleasure to watch your pictures. Thank you.
December 14, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Harold E. Tartell
The unidentified Moran tug in LATTICE by the Bayonne Bridge is KIMBERLY TURECAMO. She is the only MIRIAM-Class tug with an upper “coop.”
December 14, 2010 at 1:13 pm
tugster
harold– i never cease to be iompressed.
thank you.
January 7, 2011 at 1:33 am
kamiya rojas
Hi! Can you possibly tell me whatever happen to Tanker, STAVRONISI? Did Eleston sold the fleet? Where is it now? My brother-in-law is one of the crew and he didn’t contacted us for the past 3months now. Please advise.
Thank you and God bless.
January 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm
tugster
according to this, stavronisi left philadelphia earlier this week: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?mmsi=239274000
February 20, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Andrew Willner
Great article about you and Tugster in the Times
March 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Rene
Hello
Very nice blog
regards Rene ( Netherlands )
March 22, 2011 at 1:33 pm
tugster
dank u veel, rene
March 22, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Rene
Hallo
Mijn Engels is niet zo goed,maar ik begrijp dat je foto’s van mij op Tugster wil plaatsen,dat is geen probleem
groeten Rene
March 22, 2011 at 3:57 pm
John van der Doe
There you go Will, another Dutch ship enthusiast
Regards,
John.
April 25, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Hope Player
I discovered your blog as I was looking for a quote about tug boats. I’m a writer about small business and hope to use the analogy of the tugboat being the driver just like small businesses are in the economy. Can you offer some suggestions? Thank you. Hope Player
June 23, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Anonymous
Hi Will,
It was very interesting your work at the very first time. From artistic view point I find it very interesting and successful. Hope to see more in the future.
Sergei Blumin
June 23, 11
June 23, 2011 at 7:07 pm
tugster
thanks, sergei . . . send me an email. maybe we can collaborate on something . . .
August 31, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Roberts Erģis
there will be no return of Blue marlin to New york.. the cargo was canceled.. maybe some other Dockwise vessel gonna take tugs and barrges.. If you need some more information type me r.ergis@inbox.lv
November 9, 2011 at 3:30 pm
“Pollerfreund” | tazblog
[…] https://tugster.wordpress.com/about/ […]
November 17, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Ted
The Duty is now pushing the 1152 moving soybeans for Purdue. The Escort & Consort are moving the coal from Norfolk to the Hudson plant.
December 20, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Tony
This blog especially in the winter when by boat is out of the water, keeps me on an even keel (that was so bad..lol)! The pictures are great, and alot of great info. I am thinking of sailing from New Rochelle to FireIsland next summer, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
December 31, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Dan Owen
Here is the information on the mystery boat at Chattanooga:
J. E. Potter 277374 Twin screw towboat, b. 1958 by Barbour Metal Boat Works, Lemay, Mo.; reb. 1999 by Serodino, Inc., Chattanooga. 53 x 16. GM 8V-71 diesels, 600 hp. Owned by Arrow Transportation Co., Guntersville, until transferred to Guntersville (Ala.) Marine, Inc. Sold Oct. 1992 to Southern Marine Construction Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.
December 31, 2011 at 1:16 pm
tugster
dan– thanks much for the ID and history. happy new year.
January 4, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Johna Till Johnson
Hi Will,
Happy New Year!
We nominated you for a Versatile Blogger award; you can read about it, and why we picked Tugster, here: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2012/01/04/versatile-blogger-award/
Warm regards,
Vlad and Johna (windagainstcurrent.com)
March 2, 2012 at 11:53 am
Scott
Hey there Tugster,
Great blog man! Not too many people understand or appreciate what it is exactly that we do out here. I’m a tugboater in the San Francisco bay and I just started taking pics of the action out here. I’m really enjoying all the feedback I’m getting and would love to expand from just being a superstar on Instagram haha. What encouraged you to start the blog? Also I would be more than happy to send you some pics from this side.
Thanks again for you work,
Scott
March 2, 2012 at 12:39 pm
tugster
hi scott- thanks for writing. i’d love to get pics from SF area. why’d i start? . . . i found taking pics a way to better understand what i was seeing. and for 2 summers i worked long hours on south street seaport’s tug and schooner pioneer, which allowed me to see a lot. response to my blog was positive and that and my interest/obsession/friendships sustain the blog. good luck and let’s keep in touch. will aka tugster
March 13, 2012 at 1:04 pm
walt
I was on the Harbor loop sunday 3/11/12:
They’re putting in Terra Cotta sewerage piping just around the corner from Snug Harbor,
Everything is like your photos missing bronze marker, salt at Atlantic salt RH Tugs Restaurant ….
The Bayone Bridge is still magnificent, i hope they don’t muck it up with the 10′
lift, christie has his best slackers pushing the port authority to get the job done.
If the port authority pushes back, this project will end up in the KVK,
then all the container ships will Have to go to Bayone and Red Hook
May 22, 2012 at 11:41 am
Jeff Thayer
hey WilI hope you’re well,
I have an ACF 35′ xx” long- And I’m not exactly sure of the year. Wendy at Mystic couldn’t solve the mystery deep researching her records. It appears to be mid-thirties with an extra port (square) glass window on either side, giving the look of a possible custom extension (below deck) when compared with other ACFs which have 3 windows each side.
I also bedazzled & enchanted purchased it in Hull MA in 1989… it may have been built nearby. I underdstand ACF had boats built at different locations. I know McInnis’ son lived in Scituate next to Hull,MA. Spoke with him (phone call) about 10 years ago. He was friendly but very old sounding & grew tired easily.
Ever since 1989 I have drydocked it in various storage locations.
what say ye kind sir.
Thanks, Jeff
May 22, 2012 at 12:20 pm
tugster
Hi Jeff– Thanks for writing. I did posts on ACFs here https://tugster.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/no-name-fleet-2/ and here https://tugster.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/acf/ in recent years. I’m guessing you’ve seen those. I’d love to run some fotos of your boat so that maybe a tugster reader with arcane knowledge could help you answer some questions. Cheers
May 22, 2012 at 6:03 pm
dwspmc
Will- Sounds good I’ll get some together soon, thanks. It’s got a good keel( the top 1″ or so is variably soft )but its a big thick keel & wood cell epoxy would bring it harder than new). With many good planks & ribs. Not all there though. Nowadays A few areas of acual rot in progress. I’d love to have the time to piece by piece bring her back however life has thrown a heaping portion( to say the very least) of curves to me since ’89.. Cheers, later
June 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm
ns
Hi,
Cool blog! Cool Pix!
June 3, 2012 at 7:27 pm
elizabeth
It was funny to see the Staten Island ferry amid all the Memorial Day photos (“Aweigh”).
June 3, 2012 at 7:32 pm
tugster
the work of the ferry–and other vessels on the harbor–must go on no matter what the other events. the fact that it DOES go on points to the essentiality of the actual working harbor. thanks for writing, elizabeth.
June 8, 2012 at 12:05 am
dwspmc
hey Will how are ya?
How do I post my ACF photos ( 5 for now). I can’t see how.
Jeff- thanks
June 8, 2012 at 12:16 am
tugster
dwspmc . .. send them to the email address located on the left side of page . . . where it says “Questions, comments? Email tugster.” Files about 500k are high enough resolution. Also, send along any text/facts you can help me with like dates, stats, personal thoughts, explanations not obvious from the fotos themselves. cheers.
September 9, 2012 at 6:26 am
fred mann
Hey Tugster, Happened upon your blog while surfing “fish tugs”. Spent many a day 50+ years ago watching the fishermen in Frankfort, Michigan coming and going out into the big lake in 30-55 ft “tugs”. All weather, all year, even into the ice. “Some brass”, to quote Bill Clinton.
I really enjoy your photos and your prose. Keep it up.
September 27, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Empresa líder de revestimientos industriales en Chile
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October 3, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Anonymous
“Terracentric”? How about all media and history remains shackled to “blue water consciouness” – NY may have funded the Erie Canal, however, The GREAt LAKES built this nation . . . . .
November 24, 2012 at 3:06 am
Bill Broussard
Sure do enjoy your blog. I’m down on the Gulf Coast-although I’ve always worked in the marine business, we don’t have anything nearly as cool or interesting as New York Harbor, so I really like your website. (The reference to the “sixth boro” is VERY cool). Anyway, as we are down here in hurricane country, we really feel for you guys as we know what it’s like to get clobbered by a storm. Hang in there and thanks for all the work putting this website together for all the rest of us…..Bill
November 24, 2012 at 7:18 am
tugster
thanks, bill. the past two years have been a wake-up call for us and storms.
March 22, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Bob
Hello Tugster,
What do you want to know about the ex-Army Air Corps Air Sea Rescue Boat (Traveler) in Gloucester, MA? I owned the boat for several years and did some research on her history. Was owned after 1952 by a famous oil landscape artist.
March 22, 2013 at 5:56 pm
tugster
hi bob– this is what i learned: http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/ww2-fighter-pilot-rescue-boat-at-beacon-marine-photo-kathy-chapman/ also, i put a portside view of traveler (third foto from the bottom) i took 4 months ago on this post: https://tugster.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/road-fotos-25/ if you have vintage fotos, i’d love to share them on this blog. thanks for writing.
March 24, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Fred King
Have been following your blog for some time and thought I should let you know how much I enjoy your work. You bring a very unique perspective to the waterways you travel on, something the rest of us will never see. Keep up the good work!!
April 3, 2013 at 6:25 am
Dean Mitchell
I was on the Coast Guard Cutter Violet out of Baltimore in 1959,1962.Just like the Lilac.Hard working ship and warm in the winter,because of the steam.I ran that crane,with all the handles and yes that is were I slept..Is the Lilac still open? BMC Mitchell retired.
June 16, 2013 at 11:51 am
Sunday Reads – Don’t skip tugster: a waterblog | The Boston Harbor Picayune
[…] via About Tugster | tugster: a waterblog. […]
June 28, 2013 at 9:13 am
M_Zeissler
Hey, Will! I’ve always enjoyed your blog, so I wanted you to know that I recognized you with the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You can get all of the info here:
http://exploratorius.us/2013/06/28/an-award-er-recognition/
June 28, 2013 at 5:40 pm
sleepboot
Congratulations Will.
John
August 1, 2013 at 9:27 am
James Baker
Hey there. I am looking for some info on a tug that was built in 1944 for the U.S. Navy. It is the U.S.S. Washakie YT 386 hull number 551. Is there anybody that can help me with my search
September 8, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Mike Olaf Arnold
What boat were you on for the tug boat race I work on the Debora Miller for Miller Marine I like the pics of buddy he was fun getting him off and on which I have pics of.
Olaf
September 8, 2013 at 6:37 pm
tugster
hi mike– i was on susan. i’d love to see pics of getting buddy and and off debora. can you send to parrotlect@gmail.com can you also in that email tell me more about buddy’s daily duties . .?
November 1, 2013 at 12:48 am
mike jacobsen
can you tell me if the Jacobsen family owned tugs in the 20s ny harbor
December 27, 2013 at 6:57 pm
bert
check out dordrecht in stoom, 2010 and 2012, lots of old steam tugs
cheers bert
January 24, 2014 at 2:42 pm
John
I’ve taken some decent photos of the McCaskill against sunsets at The West End of Jones Beach. I really learning about the vessel here, and would be happy to share some of the better sunsets , should they interest you. Yours, John Pellicciaro
January 24, 2014 at 4:04 pm
tugster
hi john– sure i’m interested in seeing and maybe using them on tugster. send to parrotlect@gmail.com thanks
March 22, 2014 at 9:03 am
“Graves of Arthur Kill” – The Movie | Working Harbor Committee
[…] him to photograph the boats in 2010. Van Dorp, who lives in Kew Gardens, Queens, publishes the blog Tugster, which is dedicated to New York’s waterways — an area he’s dubbed the city’s […]
March 30, 2014 at 11:20 am
Scott J
The photo you posted about the ACF cruiser in Cape Cod “seller motivated”, there is no information to contact seller. Please tell me who or where to find more. I believe my father owned this same boat in the 1960’s, or at least one just like it. Have wondered what became of it for decades. Was sure it was gone, abandoned or destroyed. Very interested in buying it. Thanks, Scott scottcatherine@yahoo.com
June 23, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Larry Watkins
In 1968-70 I was stationed aboard U.S. Army Tug LT-1975, in the deep-water port of Sattahip, Thailand. We made regular runs to Bangkok and back towing barges, and put many ships onto the docks. I wrote my first novel based on my experiences there, “The Bangkok Blues” is available on Amazon. I’ll send you some pics if you like.
September 19, 2014 at 11:56 am
Scott Koen@aol.com
Tugster
I am the Port Captain of Baylander, IX-514, send me a e-mail, we can talk.
September 23, 2014 at 9:34 am
Anonymous
Tugster Scott – would you be interested in about 2500 words and 6 or so pics?
April 14, 2015 at 10:14 pm
Brad
September 30, 2015 at 1:27 pm
GP Cox
Excellent blog – I’ll definitely be back!!
January 16, 2016 at 4:35 pm
PAUL BARKER
Hello Will,
Being one of three Barker brothers and also having twin boys, would appreciate any photos of the tug the Barker Boys. Did not see her on several trips to New York from Great Britain, last time on the Queen Mary 2 in September 2011. I am a ship nut.email is barkhouse@talktalk.net
Best wishes, Paul Barker, Shrewsbury, UK
May 26, 2016 at 4:24 am
Grace Anne
Found your blog through recommendations on reader and am glad I clicked!! 😉 Gonna go nuts over your posts now 😀 😀
November 28, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Joey C
Will, it’s Joey, check out the Gudgeon one of my boats got up when hauling lobster gear
February 13, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Charles Danko
Hi Will
Always enjoy your blog. I grew up in Bayonne & spent many hours watching the tugs, tankers, freighters and containerships on the KVK back in the day. Lived 2 houses in from the KVK from 1970 – 1973………spent a lot of time with my binoculars & stack chart following the traffic back then.
Just wondering if you could use your influence and maybe get a webcam set up somewhere along the KVK to follow all the traffic?
Charles Danko
February 16, 2017 at 6:18 pm
tugster
Hi Charles– You might overvalue my influence . . . or lack of it. Putting a webcam on the KVK is a great idea, however. Let me look into that idea. Thx.
August 28, 2017 at 10:03 am
Bill Tucker
My late father, Williiam P. Tucker was a marine engineer on the Sanitation Department’s tug boat fleet between 1947 and 1967 (approx.). I remember the Fresh Kill, Spring Creek, and the Ferry Point which I saw photos of on the blog. I also recall a fourth boat, the Seneata (phonetic). It broke down often and dad was often called back to work to repair it. At the end of his career with Sanitation, the boats were often bearthed at the pier at foot of East 23rd St.
October 31, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Richard
Just read the post years ago about the Colvin pinky schooner beaches and wondered if she was successfully salvaged
October 31, 2019 at 6:16 pm
tugster
i believe she was scrapped.
November 9, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Tony
Hi Will. I’m having trouble accessing your email. I am researching the Hudson River Naval Reserve Fleet and searching for images that I can use for my project. Can you email me with any information about images you might have and if they are copyright free and/or in the public domain? Thank you!
April 26, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Joe Devoe
Hi my name is Joe Devoe. I was a porter on the Algoway on Nov. 10 1975. I somehow think we were anchored in Whitefish Bay that night anchored when the Fitzgerald sank. Can anyone tell me . . . where exactly we anchored that night?
May 22, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Francis Sheehan ( DOB 1943 )
Concerning your photo of a Stick Lighter , red superstructure , green band top of hull ACROSS from Brooklyn , lower Manhattan . That you call the OLLIE .
That boat looks a LOT like the stick lighter RIPPLE that I worked on as a boy in the early 1950s , docked on pier 4 ( no longer there ) . I believe pier 3 to be the present day Helicopter port . The structure to the left of this photo would be the old Coast Guard base before they built the new one past the SI ferry terminal .
Be I right or wrong , I will supply further information if requested .
May 22, 2022 at 7:37 pm
tugster
Francis– Thx for writing. I have folks who remember Ollie who identified it, but it was part of a fleet, and some of the fleet may have been identical. The pier around the city have certainly changed a lot in the past century.