June 15, 1976 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News

Mississippi Marine Rebuilds Fire-Damaged Towboat Lillian G

The badly fire-damaged M/V Lillian G has been completely repaired and extensively modified at Mississippi Marine Towboat Corporation's shipyard in Greenville, Miss.

According to John Nichols, president of Mississippi Marine, the 1,700-hp, 90-foot by 30-foot by 10-foot Lillian G, owned by Mon River Towing Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., was towed from her home port at Pittsburgh last December to Mississippi Marine's yard.

The Lillian G, named in memory of the sister of Howard S. Guttman, president of Mon River, is one of a fleet of nine boats.

"We had about 90 days to get her back in service," Mr. Nichols said. "She needed all new superstructure, electronics, engine and steering controls above deck and extensive repairs below deck in her engine room." In addition to the rebuilding of the superstructure, refurbishing the accommodations, and installing new controls, it was necessary to rebuild the twin Caterpillar D-398 turbocharged and after-cooled marine diesel engines.

These were completely rebuilt by Stribling-Puckett, Inc. of Jackson, Miss.

Mississippi Marine also installed a new steering system during the rebuilding.

The Lillian G recently rejoined the Mon River Towing fleet, which is engaged principally in moving coal and petroleum products on the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. The vessel has started on a contract, towing petroleum products for Texaco Inc., between Mount Vernon, Ind.

and Cincinnati, Ohio.

As if the repair of the Lillian G was not enough, Mr. Nichols announced that Mississippi Marine has just laid the keel "and have lots of steel up" on a new 2,200-hp towboat for the Coastal Towing Corporation of Houston, Texas. As yet unnamed, the new towboat has a unique double chine hull and measures 90 feet by 32 feet by 10 feet 6 inches. She is expected to be launched this fall.

Nearing completion in Mississippi Marine's yard is a 680-hp dual-purpose towboat.

According to Mr. Nichols, this 60-foot twinscrew towboat can be finished out for a crew of eight for river work or set up as a harbor boat. She is powered by a pair of GM Detroit Diesel engines, Model 12V71. This boat is available for quick delivery to a buyer. Mississippi Marine also recently launched two 110-foot deck barges that are available for sale or charter.

Mr. Nichols also announced that the propeller shop has gone into operation.

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