Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (May 2006)

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tion of the Dorothy Elizabeth became a topic of conversation, early in the year.

Said Capt. Mahoney aboard the Nor- mandy on January 21, "I told Mike the other day to post a note on the internet, like the Yahoo tug group."

Capt. Vinik took the advice, and received a response from Tim Mullane in

Norfolk, who could provide an MB16.

Next came the six-week rebuild. "Brad

Simek from Amboy Aggregate was good enough to rent us dock space for repairs," said Capt. Vinik, parts for a gear box being perhaps much to move around by skiff. "New bearings, new clutches, new reverse bevel gears, a new pinion gear, new drums."

At last, the Dorothy Elizabeth was ready to get herself going again -- mechanically, anyway. But hulls have their needs too. "The boat hadn't been hauled in I don't know how long," said

Capt. Vinik. "I dove on her and there were no zincs left, barnacles all over the place, and the anti-fouling paint was no longer acceptable. A hundred-foot boat is too much to scrape underwater." So then began the search for a drydock in New

York. Perth Amboy Drydock was closed for redevelopment, Caddell's and May's

At the request of the MarineNews photogapher in 2004, the original participans re-enacted the moment of Gotham's transferral to new ownership, to the best of their recollection. Capt. Fred Kosnac III (left) congratulates Local 333 president Charlie Chillemi (center) as Kosnac president Veronica Marshall (right) turns over a document of sale, or reasonable facsimile. In background is tug Gotham, on the verge of a few career moves. (Photo: Don Sutherland) 28 • MarineNews • May 2006

Circle 248 on Reader Service Card

Circle 259 on Reader Service Card

For those who've never seen one, this is what a 1951 tugboat engine room looks like. Capt. Vinik at right prepares to get underway, as engineer Wayne Lawson arrives to fire 'er up. (Photo: Don Sutherland) "Tugboats of New York" author George Matteson signs a volume at Snug Harbor's John Noble Col- lection on Staten Island. His slide lecture on the history of tugs will be given again at SUNY Mar- itime on June 10. (Photo: Don Sutherland)

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