Dispatches from the Samuel Center

Waterford Bottleneck

I know lots of residents of Waterford NY are fluent in their town’s history, and can interpret this image in detail. Please do. This image reminds me of the annual Waterford Tugboat Roundup; if a wand could be waved to reconstitute these boats in 2025 as they were docked here in the early 20th century,…

will van dorp
1–2 minutes
, ,

I know lots of residents of Waterford NY are fluent in their town’s history, and can interpret this image in detail. Please do. This image reminds me of the annual Waterford Tugboat Roundup; if a wand could be waved to reconstitute these boats in 2025 as they were docked here in the early 20th century, we’d have national attention.

If I had access here to the original glass plate negatives, I could read names everywhere here and see sharper details, but as it is, I can guess the names of only the first two tugboats: Veronica 1 and Comstock.

Beyond the tug to the left below, what’s written on the building and is that an antique truck and trailer?

Any help?

Russ Vandervoort’s comment reminds me that Dispatches has featured more Waterford area tugboats here.

3 responses to “Waterford Bottleneck”

  1. TBR Avatar
    TBR

    Tugboat Roundup (TBR) writes “Looks like TBR 1930.”

    Reply
  2. Russ VanDervoort Avatar
    Russ VanDervoort

    Russ VanDervoort writes: “The Tug Comstock is the lead tug on the wall. It was in my family’s service from 1919 — 1942. Her primary use was to assist with double lockings on the Champlain Barge Canal. This was a private tug. When the Barge Canal opened the state didn’t own any tugboats. The Urger was originally purchased to take the place of the Comstock, but was put to other uses. I would look for the tug Jas.K Averill in that group. I can’t make out the names. At the time this picture was taken several of the building were union offices, transportation company offices.”

    Reply
    1. tugster Avatar
      tugster

      Russ– Thx for commenting. You have reminded me that Dispatches featured more Waterford area tugboats and your book here: https://dispatchesfromsamuelcenter.org/2025/01/23/canal-canaries-and-other-tough-old-birds/

      Reply

Leave a comment

Trending