NYS "Urger" Turns 110

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
File

A tugboat that has plied the waters of New York's Canals for nearly eight decades years turns 110 today, according to the New York State Canal Corporation. The tug Urger is the oldest state vessel operating on New York's waterways. Originally christened the Henry J. Dornbos, the vessel was operated by the Verduin family on Lake Michigan for 20 years. Due to her unparalleled seaworthiness, the vessel was occasionally used by the U.S. Lifesaving Service (a forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard) for rescues on the lake. In 1922, the vessel – given the eponymous name Urger in recognition of her new duties – entered into service in New York as a maintenance tugboat on the recently completed Barge Canal, "urging" scows and barges along in conjunction with dredging and other maintenance activities. She remained in active, everyday operation until 1986 when she was retired from her regular maintenance duties. It now functions as a floating museum and a classroom for schoolchildren.
 

Email AddThis Feed Button
Maritime Reporter May 2012 Digital Edition
FREE Maritime Reporter Subscription
Latest Maritime News    rss feeds

Workboats

About Australia's ETV in Rescue of Disabled Bulker 'ID Integrity'

Australian Maritime Safety Authority' Emergency Towing Vessel, 'ETV Pacific Responder' rescued the disabled 'ID Integrity' AMSA’s Thursday Island officer

Damen Launches its Longest (120m) Pontoon Ever

Damen Shipyards announced that it launched the first of its newly designed Stan Pontoon (SPo) 12032. The SPo 12032 is the longest pontoon ever built by Damen and

Ribcraft Builds 6.8M RIBS for Fugro Seacore

British boat manufacturer Ribcraft will officially hand over the second in a batch of specially built 6.8M RIBS to overwater Marine Drilling Contractor Fugro Seacore at Seawork 2012.

News

Disabled Bulker Arrives Safely in Cairns

Bulk carrier 'ID Integrity' operated by Wallem Shipmanagement has arrived under tow in the Australian port of Cairns for engine repairs The ID Integrity lost propulsion  power last Friday,

China Against Outside Involvement in Territorial Water Dispute

China opposes Philippines' attempt to draw a third party into the dispute over Huangyen Island China opposes Philippines' decision to draw a third party into the

U.K., Norway, Oppose Harmonised EU Offshore Safety Legislation

British Energy Minister Charles Hendry is backing Norway's Ola Borten Moe in his fight against harmonised EU offshore safety legislation Norway’s oil industry has objected to the EU initiative.

 
 
Maritime Careers / Shipboard Positions Maritime Security Navigation Pipelines Pod Propulsion Port Authority Salvage Ship Electronics Ship Simulators Shipbuilding / Vessel Construction
mobi | rss feeds | archive | history | articles | privacy | contributors | top news | about us | copyright

Time taken: 0.0384 sec (26 req/sec)