Great Lakes Tug Wisconsin pushing barges, Green Bay, Fox River. Oldest Tug on the Great Lakes

3 years ago
85

November 8th, 2019, spent some time in Green Bay working a reclamation project on the Fox River. Great Lakes Tug was contracted out to provide tug services.

We hauled aggregate in/on barges, which was later used to cover the Fox River bed to encapsulate decades of pollution caused by the paper manufacturing industry. This was a multi year project. We were involved this last year.

The Great Lakes Group tug Wisconsin is the oldest, active working tug on the Great Lakes.

The Wisconsin was built as the steam-powered tug, America, in Buffalo, NY., 1897. Yes, 1897. (Says volumes about how they built boats in the day). Great Lakes Towing acquired her in 1916 and re powered her with a diesel engine in 1950.

Not all tug life is romantic and/or safe. On June 27th, 1946, the Wisconsin while tendering another vessel, sank, killing 6 men aboard. They say their ghost still walk her quarters. I've spent many a day and night aboard her....

A good link to her history : https://milwaukeenotebook.com/2015/10/19/tugboat/

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