New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-22
TUG-BOATS.

EXTENT AND IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SERVICE TO
THE SHIPPING OF THE PORT-HOW THEY
ARE MANAGED-sALVAGE- THE WAYS or
HARBOR-MASTERs.
Few residents or sOjOurners in New York City
are unfamiliar with the appearance of the busting little
craft that 60 snorting mpudently about the harbor
now In the center of feet Of heterogeneous craft and
anon putting beside huge leviatban Of ship, re-
nding Of the ofenseen struggle Of the beetle in the
neshes Of the spider This busy and powerful craft does
important service TO modern commerce. the tug-boat
service Of this harbOr alone employing 200 boats 1900
men, and fully $2,GOOOO0.
Towing as a II guar branch Of commerce began about
rs years ago. and has steadily increased until at the
present time hardly any movement in shipping is made
IA the barbOr OF NewYOrk without the aid Of steam
tug. The 200 tugs engaged IN New-YOrk waters are
principally propelers, the ownership Of which is di
yersed. Many persons from one 20 ten boats They
are constructed of substantial material at Buffalo, Jersey
City Philadelphia the latter city having the greater
portion OF the building trade. They from s. to 100
feet long, broad 81 feet deep, and from
30 TO 80 capacity Below the deck (Which is guarded
by bukwark about feet high placed the boiler
much Of the machinery fuel receptacles and tanks for
fresh Above deck erected the different
paTtments for working of the vessel and the
mediation OF the consisting Of sleeping cabin eng
room, cook and plOthOuses all OF which are sub
stantaly furnished The pilohOuse has its upper por
tOn composed of glass and is situated high the
drecon The hulls of the vessels generally painted
black and the exterior of their compartments of dingy
brown yellow. From five to constitute the
crew, aud are distributed follows: Pilot captain,
engineer fireman, cook, aud deck hands Their wages
paid monthly, and range follows: Pilots from $50
20 s25 engineers $75 to s1OO remen So TO SlO deck
hands $25 TO 49, cooks, so 10 $35 In addition to this
they receive their board and with the exception Of the
pilots and engineers sleep on board their vessels.
The hus of tugs last much longer than the boilers
which usually cost 1900 30 and after the fourth
year require periodical rettng At years OF age
the tag il practically vaiueless, and when condemned as
1t usually is at about that time is sold for less than old
iron From coo TO 900 tuns is the driving ca
paeity Of tug
Tows are always taken beyond the bar Sandy
Hook, and sometimes far the lght-ship when the
tug casts of and either waits for return tow comes
back TO the city alone, the pilot hoping 10 obtain
thing transient the passage to take back with him.
number OF vessels make a speciality Of SANDY Hook
tows" and remain there nearly all the time when not
engaged In towing On such vessels, however, the
demand better pay, the pilots usually obtaining $50 a
month, and the others in proportion
Every tug is supplied with stout hawsers for towing,
Int they are rarely called into requston the masters
oftbe vessels towed generally prefer using their ma
sens Heavy draught ships must be towed out 70 sandy
Hook during rising tide. they nave the lde
aeai,si them an The way down the bay, which doubles
fhe train on The tugs n they are Owd WIN ialhg
tide they apt to strike bottom IN wmeh event tne
which requires much efort but Win fsing tue, II
they strike bottom they rebound with actual
lows going through Hell Gate are always taken as lar as
Rckers Island, and frequently as lar as S"nuS 'on''
They generally go with the ebb tide. ,,.-
TIE most difficult portion OF towing consists ID dCcnh
uDdookpg vessels II is here that the superior sh o
the pilots is manifested, the slightest characterization
Is apt 10 DE followed by collisions resulting In the demaKe
Of several vessels ia which event. lot only are te uk
boats deprived Of their fees but frequently nlcted
In the United States Courts for heavy damage In ac
there much fear Of United States Court deelslobs
fbst owners OF tugs who consider their risks say there
Svef. can harY DO considered The ssse ~ spy VI tfm