On Tugboats - Softcover

Thorndike, Virginia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0892725656 ISBN 13: 9780892725656

Publisher: Down East Books, 2004

Synopsis

Tugboats hold a fascination not only for anyone who has worked aboard a vessel or around a harbor but for many land-bound folks as well. There is something about their chunky, powerful build and their often risky but vital work that excites our interest and admiration. The captains and crews of the tugboats are justifiably proud of what they do, and they have some great stories to tell about the ships and barges they tow or push; the harbors, storms, tides, and dangerous passages they must negotiate; the unions; the pilots; the different designs and capabilties of their boats; and the way the boats and their livelihood are irrevocably changing.

About this title

About the Author:

Since childhood, Virginia Thorndike has been fascinated by boats and their people. She’s also good at searching out the people who know, build, and operate all sorts of vessels and getting them to explain and reminisce. As a result, she has produced a series of highly entertaining books about transportation. She lives in Morrill, Maine.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

"The docking pilot was on the bridge of the ship. There was a man on the bow, who heard the clear order on the radio: 'Drop the anchor!' Assuming there was some kind of crisis, he let go of the brakewheel and dropped the anchor -- right down through a tugboat, which sank on the spot. The men on deck got off, but the engineer, below, went down with her. It happened that another ship maneuver had been using the same radio channel, and the order was for that vessel.

About this edition

• Publisher: Down East Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0892725656
• ISBN 13: 9780892725656
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 384