Erie Railroad Marine Department

From the March, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
The new sea-going steel tug "Albert J. Stone," which was placed in commission on Feb. 9, 1914, is considered by marine men one of the finest all-around tugs among the great fleet of busy and useful craft, which makes its home in the crowded waters of New York Harbor.

Built of open-hearth steel of the best quality, by the Staten Island Ship Building Company, of Port Richmond, S.I., to the plans and specifications of Mr. W.I. Babcock, Engineer and Naval Architect, of 17 State Street, New York. She embodies the ideas of Mr. Charles R. Stewart, Superintendent of the Marine Department of the Erie Railroad Company, whose practical knowledge, ripe judgment and long experience in the transportation problems of New York harbor, eminently qualify him to determine what is best in any particular branch of the service. Though designed primarily for towing coal barges in the Boston trade, and thoroughly fitted out for that service, with ample coal and fresh water capacity, economical engines and handsome and convenient living quarters for the crew, the "Stone," with an overall length of only 120 feet, is small enough to handle easily in strictly harbor service, in which much of her time will he spent during the slack periods of the Eastern coal business.

The general description is as follows: Length overall 120 feet; beam 28 feet; depth 14 feet 9 inches and draft 13 feet aft. The hull and deck house are of steel, complete, pilot house and texas of wood. The machinery consists of one triple-expansion engine, with cylinders 15 inches, 24 inches and 40 inches in diameter by 28 inches stroke, fitted with an independent condenser and circulating pump and connected air pump, all of the Staten Island Ship Building Company's standard design. Independent feed, donkey, sanitary and fire pumps of Blake pattern, arc-fitted and a Reilly feed water heater. The boiler is of Scotch type, 14 feet 9 inches diameter by 10 feet 6 inches long, carrying 180 pounds steam, with three Morrison corrugated furnaces 44 inches diameter.

The coal bunker capacity is 150 tons, and 60 tons fresh water can be carried in the forward and after peaks. A complete electric lighting plant is supplied, with search-light on pilot house, Hyde windlass forward for handling anchors and chains, and large Hude steam gypsy aft for lines. Two pole masts for signal lights, Hyde steam steering gear, and Welin quadrant davits for the two small boats.

The galley, dining room and refrigerator, are in the forward end of the deck house, in which, also, are the rooms for the engineers, oilers and deckhands. The firemen are in the fo'castle. Captain and mates are accommodated in the texas abaft pilot house. All quarters are thoroughly fitted out with ample provision for the comfort of the crew.

Canrobert's paints have been used throughout the boat, and the whole interior and all steel work in inaccessible parts, or where covered by wood work, has been heavily coated with Canrobert's bitumastic preparations to preserve the metal.

An important feature of this tug, is the expert manner in which the steam pipes are protected. The 85% Magnesia and Asbestos pipe and boiler coverings made by the Robert A. Keasbey Co., 100 North Moore St., New York, have been used throughout, the work being under the personal direction of Mr. Theo. A. Brooks, representing the Keasbey Company.

The "Albert J. Stone" is under charge of Captain Fred Decker, and her Chief Engineer is George Kirkland, both formerly on the tug "Daniel Willard." Under their able management it is safe to say that she will make a fine record.

Mr. Babcock, her designer, for the past five years, has designed all of the marine equipment, including tugs, barges and carfloats, built by the company. He is, probably, one of the best known naval architects in the country, early in life having started his career with the John Roach Ship Building Co. and later, for a number of years, was manager of the Union Dry Dock & Ship Building Co. at Buffalo, N.Y., during which time he designed and built many of the splendid vessels now sailing on the Great Lakes.

C.R. Stewart, Supt., Marine Dept.
As to the other two gentlemen, whose pictures accompany this story, it is almost superfluous to enter into details. It is sufficient to say that Superintendent Stewart came up through the ranks from marine engineer to his present position and is a very wise and efficient officer, with a superb knowledge of marine matters, covering a period of 30 years with the Erie.

F.M. Coyne, Chief Clerk
Mr. Coyne, Chief Clerk of the Marine Department, is another well-posted individual, in all that refers to the Erie's floating equipment. He practically has the data at his very finger ends, and well he might, for this First Lieutenant of Superintendent Stewart has, like his superior officer, served 30 years with the Erie.

The addition of the tug "A.J. Stone" to the fleet, gives the company 12 tugs, one of which, the "J.C. Stuart," went in service Jan. 1, 1912. The "Stuart" has the largest fire pumps of any tug in the harbor, excepting a municipally owned fire boat. Her capacity is over 3,000 gallons per minute. The Monitor nozzle on the top of the pilot house, alone, being able to discharge 2,000 gallons.

In addition to the 12 steam tugs, the company owns and operates four steam lighters, that are used in handling less than carload lots. The vessels owned and operated by the company, not self propelled, are 98 covered harbor barges, 40 open hand hoist lighters, two steam derricks, and 30 carfloats.

The annual increase in the tons of freight lightered, makes it necessary for the company to add to its fleet of barges each year, 15 new barges now being under construction at Newburgh, N.Y. In 1883 the company owned 9 barges and chartered about 60, and owned 17 carfloats. 744,878 tons of freight were lightered. During the year 1893 the amount of freight lightered increased to 1,174,180 tons. During this year the lighterage limits were extended. During the year 1903 there were lightered 1,424,472 tons of freight, and the lighterage limits had been further extended. During the period between 1903 and 1913, the company built three tug boats, 8 floats, 2 of these to replace old ones, 20 open hand lighters, 19 covered barges, and also acquired by purchase, 46 covered barges, thus enabling the company to lighter its freight, without chartering barges. During the year 1913 there were lightered 1,973,846 tons, or an increase of 549,376 tons over 1903.

The ferry fleet is composed of five double-deck steel ferry boats, the "Arlington," 190?; "Tuxedo," 1904; "Goshen," 1905; "Chatauqua," 1906; "Jamestown," 1907. In addition to the above, the Company owns three side-wheel ferryboats, the "Suffern," which received a new hull, new cabin, etc. in 1907; the "Ridgewood," the hull of which was rebuilt in 1907 and the "Arden," which was rebuilt and new boiler installed, in 1910.

Tug ALICE STAFFORD Data Tug A.J. STONE Traverses Cape Cod Canal Tug DAVID BOSMAN is launched Launch of Tug CHARLES P. CRAWFORD
Back to Erie Page