From the April, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
On the afternoon of Saturday, March 27th (1915), under a blue sky and with a cold wind blowing from the West, the Erie's new tug, Charles P. Crawford, was given a trial trip, or rather made a short run up the North River, having aboard a number of the Company's officials and others.

It was the kind of day landlubbers prefer to remain on virgin soil, but no kind of unpropitious weather has yet deterred the Erie's officials from being present on the initial trip of a new craft. Not only that, but they delight in conferring a compliment, as well, on the worthy official, in whose honor the craft is named.

In this instance the craft is named after Mr. Charles P. Crawford, Comptroller of the Erie Railroad Company, a most excellent and democratic gentleman, who is very highly esteemed by his fellow offices and the rank and file, alike. Mr. Crawford had any number of compliments bestowed on him on account of having as a namesake, so fine and sturdy a tug as the "Charles P. Crawford," and he accepted them graciously.

The start was made from Pier 14, N.R., at 1 o'clock. The run up the river concluded at Weehawken, where the tug turned about and returned to Pier 14, where several disembarked, after which the trip was continued down around Governor's Island, up through Buttermilk Channel and around the Battery into the North River, thence to the foot of Pavonia Avenue, where the party dispersed at 4 P.M. A fine luncheon was served aboard in the mess room. The newcomer got the usual warm welcome from craft on the river, each of which blew the three-whistle signal of greeting. Every blast was quickly answered by Captain Hall, whose hand was tired responding.

The new tug was built by the Staten Island Shipbuilding Co. It is 100 feet, 2 inches long; length between perpendiculars, 90 feet, 2 inches; beam amidships, 24 feet; depth, 12 feet, 9 inches. The hull is built of steel. Engine is of the compound type and of 750 H.P., 18x38x26, making 125 revolutions per minute. The steel boiler is 14 feet, 6 inches in diameter, by 12 feet long and carries 155 pounds of steam. The tug is equipped with Wager Improved Bridge Walls. The coal bunkers have a capacity for 63 tons, furnishing fuel for the 3 furnaces. The water tanks hold 35 tons.

The Charles P. Crawford is a harbor tug and will do duty about New York Harbor. She is a graceful and beautiful craft and her fine lines called forth many words of praise from those who had the privilege of looking her over. She is commanded by Captain Howard Hall, formerly of the BUFFALO. Edward E. Blandow is her Engineer.

The officials of the Erie Railroad Company, who participated in the outing were, F.D. Underwood, President; D. Bosman, Vice-President and Secretary; C.P. Crawford, Comptroller; D.W. Bigoney, Treasurer; H.C. Hooker, Assistant to the President; C. L. Chapman, Assistant General Traffic Manager; F.A. Clark, General Auditor; R.H. Wallace, General Passenger Agent; Henry Adams, General Freight Agent; W.S. Cowie, General Eastern Freight Agent; E.J. Bauer, Manager Lighterage and Foreign Freight Department; F.B. Lincoln, General Superintendent, Erie Division; W.H. Baldwin, Assistant General Superintendent, Erie Division; E.R. Allen, Terminal Superintendent; William Schlafge, General Mechanical Superintendent; E.P. Griffith, Superintendent of Telegraph; G.H. Minor, Assistant General Solicitor; C.E. Hildum, Auditor Freight Accounts; A.J. Moran, Assistant Auditor, Freight Accounts; A.P. Disbrow, Auditor of Disbursements; P.J. Reilly, Auditor of Passenger Accounts; C.R. Stewart, Superintendent Marine Department; P.M. Coyne, Chief Clerk, Marine Department; Wm. H. Holcomb, Boat Dispatcher; J.N. Brundage, Assistant Freight Claim Adjuster; Mr. Lee Richards, Chicago; W.J. Davidson, President, S.I. Shipbuilding Co.