Old Navy

[Brian James]

The Thames Towboat Company Shipyard, Floating Dry Docks and the Tug Narragansett pictured at New London, Connecticut...Narragansett was built in 1913 by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin (hull #64) as the Chicago for the Harlem Station, Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company of New York. Originally constructed with a raised wheelhouse, and stack. Her wheelhouse, and stack where later modified to a lower profile. For service on the Harlem River in New York City. In 1965, the tug was acquired by Andrew Thomas of the Thomas Transportation Company of Caldwell, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Judy Thomas, where her house, and stack where raised again. In 1966, the tug was acquired by the Coastline Towing Corporation of Providence, Rhode Island. Where she was renamed as the Narragansett. In 1976, she was acquired by the Thames Towboat Company of New London, Connecticut. Where she retained her name. In 1993, she was placed out of service. And laid up at the Thames Shipyard and repair company in New London, Connecticut. In 1996, the tug was scrapped. Originally powered by a compound steam engine, with 18 inch cylinders, and a 38 inch bore, by 30 inch stroke. In 1951, the tug was re powered with a diesel engine. She was a single screw tug, rated at 1,200 HP...The Thames Towboat Co is still active today.

[Brian James]

Dry Dock No. 1 at Mare Island Navy Yard. Dry Dock No. 1 is arguably the most important single structure at Mare Island, whether considered from the historical or architectural vantage point. Functionally, the structure was the raison d'etre of the 19th century Shipyard. From the standpoint of historic engineering, it is simply one of the most remarkable examples of stone masonry construction anywhere in the United States. It took nearly two decades to complete this massive granite block structure, reflecting to some degree the vagaries of funding for the project but to a larger degree the enormous challenge of the construction project. Standing almost completely unmodified from its appearance in 1891, Dry Dock No. 1 is at the heart of the historic district at Mare Island.

[Brian James]

Norfolk & North American Steamship Co cargo ship SS Eagle Point pictured in Dry Dock at William Cramp & Sons Shipyard at Philadelphia c 1902...On March 28th, 1916, Eagle Point, on a voyage from St. John, New Brunswick to Le Havre with a general cargo of hay and oats, was sunk by the German Type U 66 Submarine SM U-70 (Otto Wünsche), 100 miles WSW of Bishop Rock. There were no casualties. She was requested by signal and shot from a Submarine to stop, but she continued her journey, whereupon she was fired at until she stopped. After the commander had been convinced that the boats had been lowered he sank her. At the time of sinking the boats had set their sails, and were free of the Steamer. There was a north-west wind, a slight sea and not a 'heavy sea.' and the boats had all prospects of soon being picked up, as the place of sinking was on a much frequented steamer route.

[Brian James]

Pennsylvania Class Armoured Cruiser USS West Virginia (right) pictured fitting out at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co Shipyard with two Pre-Dreadnoughts to her left also fitting out c1905.

[Brian James]

New York Harbor Steam Pilot Vessel New York pictured docked at NY Pilot Station Dock in 1900...She was the first Steam Pilot Boat in New York harbor. She was built in 1897, at Harlan & Hollingsworth Shipyard Company, Wilmington, Delaware for a group of New York Sandy Hook pilots. She was designed by Archibald Cary Smith, who was a prominent naval architect and marine engineer. She was retired from pilot service in 1951.

[Brian James]

East River Docks, New York c1900.

[Brian James]

Original USN schematic for Lead Ship, Monitor USS Puritan.

[Brian James]

Coaling Station pictured at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in 1919.

[Brian James]

Dry Dock No. 1 at Mare Island Navy Yard pictured in the 1960s.

[Brian James]

Original USN schematic for Lead Ship, Protected Cruiser USS Columbia.