Hercules (1907)

Infobox_nrhp | name =HERCULES (tugboat)
nrhp_type =nhl


caption = Steam tug "Hercules" at Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
location= San Francisco, California
lat_degrees = 37
lat_minutes = 48
lat_seconds = 36
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 122
long_minutes = 25
long_seconds = 20
long_direction = W
locmapin = California
area =
built =1906
architect= Dialouge,John H. & Son
architecture= Other
designated= January 17, 1986cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1530&ResourceType=Structure
title=Hercules(tug) |accessdate=2008-06-18|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = January 17, 1975
governing_body = NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
refnum=75000225cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The "Hercules" is a 1907 built steam tug, which is now preserved at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California.

History of the "Hercules"

The "Hercules" was built in 1907 by John H. Dialogue and Son, of Camden, New Jersey. She was built for the Shipowners' and Merchants' Tugboat Company of San Francisco, as part of their Red Stack Fleet. After completion, "Hercules" was sailed to San Francisco via the Straits of Magellan with her sister ship, the "Goliah", in tow.

For the first part of her life, "Hercules" was an ocean going tug. Because of the prevailing north-west winds, sailing ships often employed "Hercules" and her sisters on journeys north up the coast from San Francisco. For example, in 1916, "Hercules" towed the C.A. Thayer to Port Townsend, Washington. On return trips back down the coast, "Hercules" often towed log rafts of Pacific Northwest timber, to Southern California mills. At other times, "Hercules" was employed towing barges to other ports on the West Coast and to Hawaii, and in transporting equipment for the construction of the Panama Canal.

In 1924, "Hercules" was acquired by the Western Pacific Railroad. For her new owners, she worked shuttling railroad car floats across San Francisco Bay from Oakland and Alameda to San Francisco. She worked in this role until 1957, when she was replaced by the diesel-powered train ferry Las Plumas. "Hercules" was kept in a stand-by role to the new ferry until 1961.

The California State Park Foundation acquired "Hercules" in 1975, and the National Park Service took over her restoration in 1977. In 1986 she was designated a National Historic Landmark. She is now one of the exhibits of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and is to be found moored at the park's Hyde Street Pier.

General characteristics

* Gross tonnage: 409 tons (371 tonnes)
* Overall length: 151 ft (46 m)
* Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)
* Draft: 11 ft (3.4 m) aft, 10 ft (3 m) forward
* Engine: 3 cylinders, triple expansion
* Boiler: Scotch marine fire tube, with four oil-burning furnaces

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/safr/historyculture/hercules.htm San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park website - Hercules webpage]

References

*National Park Service (undated). [http://www.nps.gov/safr/local/herc.html Hercules] . Retrieved May 20, 2005.
*Frank Brehm (1996-2005). [http://www.wplives.com/operations/marine.html Western Pacific - Marine] . Retrieved May 20, 2005.