The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-01
TUG BOATISM.

III there Is no such Woru ss tne ABOVE,
there ought 10 be- for nothing else can so
well describe the work OF certain human
beings.
There is world OF pretty talk both in
poetry and prose about "the voyage OF
life" and great deal of elaborate work
ing out OF the analogy suggested. From
il all one might be deluded into thinking
that we were all sailing hence first cabin,
Cunard line, did not ones daily sighting OF
small, weatherbeaten, sail-tattered craft,
burdened to the waters edge with car
goes as unpoetic as they are necessary,
bear witness TO the contrary. There are
numerous steamers, large and small,
putting and saluting, conscious OF
their superiority and OF the fine figure
they cut; there are plenty OF the old
school sailing vessels that move when the
wind favors their special, course with a
combination OF speed and condescending
dignity very impressive; and besides there
is host OF lesser vessels relying for
their progress upon all sorts OF methods
OF motion, and delegated to carry coal,
brick, lumber, salt fish, any and every
thing, whenever and wherever needed.
We don't need to stretch our sense of the
figuration very far to realize that all these
we may meet any day, not simply in wood
and iron, going down the harbor, but in
flesh and blood wherever human ind ustry
has its ports OF entry.
But the list isn't complete without the
tugs so to some people there necessarily
fall this lot of 'tugboatism." II isn't
such an enviable existence, perhaps, and
it is often looked down upon and sighted,
but we couldn't get along without some
of it, after all.
We ourselves have been guilty of under
rating this particular phase Of usefulness
in the case OF the inanimate tug; and,
when We heedlessly let fall some remarks
about "only tug boat, were recalled to
our senses by the expression of a decided
objection to the "only," and reminder
that when all the other craft fail the
"Right Arm" comes to the rescue. Even
the Defender" our pride and hope,
must turn to this arm for strength to drag
her out of Bristol mud! 1t didn't take
us long to see the injustice of our first
sentiments in that line. Aud we soon be-
gan TO realize that after all everything,
from the new trial yacht to mud scow, is
more or less dependent upon the sturdy,
tireless, unsightly little tug.
So there is certain sort of humanity OF
this tugboat makeup that in its charac-
teristics isn't bit "Cunardy" or "snowy-
sailed" or anything else very likely to
catch the attention Of the looker-on till
he has his eyes opened to its faithful, in
domitable strength that devotes itself to
getting others finer than itself out of
difficulties. Now, tugging a mud scow
isn't exactly the theme that one would
choose for an epic, but scows must be
tugged; and there is no false daintiness
about the tug, whether its propelling
power is steam and its name "The Chal-
lenge" or whether the motive power is
reform and the name Parkhurst. In
either case there Is much needed work
done OF clearing and cleaning out the
harbor for the safety Of all other ship
ping that may seek shelter there. No sea
so heavy but that the tug is ready to
breast it IL the call comes, and to put all
power into the service, high or low, for
Others. No wonder that this ready helper
soon shows signs OF wear and tear--the
reproach is upon us for our easy forget
fulness of its aid in time OF need and our
too ready disposition to steam by on our
pleasure trip with derisive glance at
the dogged pace Of our unpretending
neighbor.
When we come right down to the fine
point OF the matter and look around us at
the Thousand fleets from every zone'--
line.steamers, merchantmen, four masters,
cup defenders, barks and brigs-with the
host OF pleasure boats--we conclude that
tho dependence Of each and all is more
or less centered in the unfailing, uncom-
promising sturdiness OF the tugs, and
that this "voyage of life" would be more
full OF disaster and shipwreck than 1t is
were it not for what we honor as "tug-
boatism." ["
No split canvass and no broken steering