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Skinner & Sons Shipyard
- Dedicated wrench-turners and wood-workers, primarily interested in keeping the Baltimore seaworthy and shining.
- Naval historians, primarily interested in how tugboats developed and were used in military and civilian endeavors that may or may not have focused on the tugs themselves.
- Social historians, primarily interested in the part tug boats played in American daily life, and in what those lives were like because of the tug boats.
Come aboard the Steam Tug Baltimore: Do, and understand.
Jan 2006:
1st meeting on board with crew and guests to discuss all aspects of the tug Baltimore. 17 folks showed up to hear Steve Heaver and others discuss how the Anniversary Year will unfold and all that is required. A projects list of 25 items was evaluated just for work needed on the tug. Then we heard about the October Birthday plans along with PR needs. Good sound questions were covered on the long term goals of the Baltimore and its potential as an Maritime Educational tool for Baltimore.
April through June 1:
Work continues toward the 100th Birthday Celebration on October 20, 21 & 22. This event is free to the public. Walt Mathers has spearheaded the party arrangements and we're planning something for everybody. We don't get a hundredth birthday very often and this magnificent and rare, operating steam tug deserves only the best. More details will be forthcoming but you can get a taste of the October events on the B&C web site: www.steamtug.org.
Web master Bob Pratt has conjured up a great site with many color views of the Baltimore, the only operating, hand-fired, coal-burning tug in North America. Historical details, engineering specs, crew projects, Skinner Ship Yard (Baltimore) history and much more, explain how special this vessel really is to our heritage. More volunteers are always sought and you may come down to 'test the waters' yourself on first and third Saturdays of each month at 0930 hours. Or call Steve Heaver, Project Director to discuss how you can help. 410-235-6144.
The entire Spring and early Summer have been devoted to sanding, priming and painting the exterior of the tug so that she would be weather tight AND look good for the Port's 300th Birthday Party on June 1st. Pat Ichniowski and Scott Ruhl were the two major movers and shakers in the painting department. Others helped too, and general cleaning was effected in the wheelhouse and saloon. Bob Pratt and Walt Mathers did that and helped with the painting. Steve and Tom Heaver and Bill Fiege also helped with painting and preparing the after Engine Room bulkhead for painting. Huston, Andy, and Ted Jacobs finished rebuilding the circulating pump and bilge suction line. Don Ruhl made new door framing for the starboard E.R. Dutch door, Bob Pratt and Scott Ruhl finished reframing the door. We're looking for sheet brass to trim it off.
On Thursday the 1st of June Jerry Smith of Smith Shipyard [also celibrating their 100th year in operation] donated a tow with his CAPT. STEVE for tug Baltimore to go to the Port Authority's 300th birthday party. Helen Bentley was the chair. BMI Director Roland Woodward and B&C Public Affairs Manager Walt Mathers were on the committee and hammered out the insurance details. Although we couldn't have visitors on board, the crew answered questions alongside her, and there was a large display inside the brand new Cruise Ship Terminal at South Locust Point with Bob's fabulous graphics. It sure was good to feel her moving through the harbor waters after about four years of being tied up at her pier. The perfect return trip about midnight was the substance of many a mariners' summer evening tale with placid waters and dancing lights across the reflection.