Milford chronicle., 1956-06-01

Design of the new towboat's hull
differs from that of harbor tug
in that the bow is of modified spoon
shape instead of being pointed. The
deck at the bow is almost as wide
as it is in the mid-body of the boat.
Two heavy steel towing knees"
are built into the bow, one at each
corner. These fixtures, extending
above and below the deck line,
permit solid contact between barge
and towboat. Depth of the towboat
hull is f015 feet, the operating draft
is 71a feet and the beam is rs feet.
While designed basically for use
as a push-type towboat, the new
craft also can pull barges on
hawser when navigation conditions
make this method more desirable.
Fitted on the aft deck of the boat
is a double towing bitt to which
the hawser is attached when barges
are towed. The bitt is located well
forward of the steering rudders
to provide maximum control over
the towed barges.
The after hull form provides a
smooth and ample flow of water to
the two six-foot diameter, three
bladed manganese bronze propel-
lers mounted in welded steel bravo
Kort Nozzles. The nozzles, which
in effect are air-foil sections sur
rounding the propellors, increase
towing efficiency approximately 25
per cent at operating speeds.
Unlike river towboats, this ves-
sells hull has considerable sheer
forward and extra freeboard for
operation in rough water. A two
foot high bulwark protects the
deck from wave action.
Rather than the usual windows
and doors which are used on river
boats, this vessel is equipped with
portfolios and dutch-type doors in
the main deckhouse for added pro-
lection against spray, Access to
all quarters is provided by in
terna1 passageways. Powered ex-
haust fans provide additional venti-
lation in the engineroom and gall
ley.
The main deckhouse contains
engineroom, galley and mess room,
three staterooms, deck storage
lockers and a lounge which can
be converted to sleeping quarters
for guests. In the upper deckhouse
is a combination captains office
and cabin. The interior of the
Papa Guy" was styled by Mrs.
Mary Scouller Saul, wife CT the
general manager of the transpor-
tation company. The pilOthOuse ad-
joins the forward end of the cap
tain's quarters. Height of the pilot
house is designed so the vessel will
clear the 18th Street Bridge over
the Anacostia River in Washing
ton. Because this bridge is not
opened during vehicular traffic
peaks, tugs can be delayed as much
as three and one-half hours. Radar
antenna and stern running light
mast on the new boat are hinged
and may be lowered when going
under the bridge.
Main engines of the new vessel
will be two turbo-supercharged IL
cylinder Caterpillar Deisels, each
rated 400 horsepower at 1926 r. p.
M. Reverse-reduction gears permit
the engines to run continuously in
one direction. A single-Iever pneu- |
matte system in the pilothouse con-
trolls both the throttle and reverse
gear of each engine.
Electric power aboard will be
generated by two Caterpillar diesel
driven generator sets producing
12O/2OS volt A. C. current.
There are two steering systems,
one for f1anking rudders and one
for steering rudders. They are op-
Grated by hydraulic rams controlled
from the pilothouse by separate /
levers. These levers indicate posi-
ton of the rudders at all times.
There are three rudders for each
two forward and one |
aft. The forward rudders are used /
for fianking, while the aft rudder
is used for steering ahead. 1t was
explained that this six-rudder ar
rangeIlent, along with the Kort
Nozzles, improves the maneuver
ability Of the vessel especially when
astern or sideways.
Design of the vessel and it's |
equipment has been approved by
The American Bureau of Shipping
and the U. S. Coast Guard for op-
Grafton on rivers, bays and har
bors.
Steuart Petroleum, largest in
dependent wholesale distributor of
fuel oil in Washington, was known
as l.. P. Stenart & Bro. Inc, until
1853 when the name was changed.
The companv was founded in 1904
by Guy T. Steuart and his brother,
L. p Steuart. Guy Steuarts son.