... we picked up six million feet of timber in a raft to tow South to San Diego. Long, slow lazy days, making no more than three knots. We rigged a fishing line and caught beautiful King Salmon on the way." - Albert Hody, Hercules Fireman.
Built on the East Coast for the Shipowners and Merchant Tugboat Company. Hercules made her maiden voyage of 13,500 miles around the tip of South America, towing the Goliah, a sistership.
Until 1923 Hercules ranged the West Coast from Alaska to Panama, with tows including sailing vessels (the C.A. Thayer among them), log rafts and barges.
Hercules worked on the bay from 1924 until 1962, towing railroad barges for Western Pacific. Her strong steel hull and reliable triple-expansion engine assured her a long and useful life.
BASIC FACTS:
Built: 1907, Camden, New Jersey
Builder: John H. Dialogue and Son
Length Overall - 139 feet
Beam - 26 feet
Gross Tonnage - 409
Comments 0 comments