tugboat st-2130

Tugboat ST-2130 Ex US Army Fort Mufflin built in 1955 of Welded Steel Construction by Matton & Sons Construction in Cohoes, New York, launched
May 10, 1955.

The St-2130 Served active in the US Army from commissioning in 1955 to 1989 according to the army records. In 1997 the tug was barged from Balitmore MD to Tacoma WA along with another st and towed by an LT for the reserve ctr located in Tacoma. The reserve center never put the ST-2130 into operation.

In 2001 the ST-2130 was decommissioned and put up for sealed bid auction due to cut backs & the
ST-2130 no longer met standards set forth being the main engine is of a direct reversible design.

The main engine is a 45m atlas imperial 8 cylinder in line equipped with a low pressure turbo charger, which produces 600hp @ 750rpm. Power is transmitted via 2 1/2 to 1 reduction gear to a 4 blade 72"x60" propeller. At 500 engine rpm the tug cruses light at
10 knots burning a little over 9 gallons of fuel per hour including running (1) 20kw generator.

Electrical system is primarily 120 volts DC which is obtained by (2) 20 kw diesel driven generators.

When I was awarded the bid in October of 2001 the tug was non operational due to a bad oil cooler for the main engine which needed retubing.

A month of hard work, steering inspected all essential items, anchor winch (disconnected) steering (oops) bad cable (mmm) needs replacing (where do i go) remembering a person I met in Westport who owned Tacoma wire rope. oh steering cable about 60 foot long 3/4 inch cable with a funny end which to find out was used in elevators. Mmmm no wonder Philadelphia elevator co. made the steering system. Cleaning, tracking down piping & wiring, & having to retubed the oil cooler. The main turned over and the main came to life, belched a bit of smoke to start with but the exhaust cleared up within a few minutes running a idle. The next day we got underway for a tour of Commencement bay getting use to the feel of our new vessel, which included a pass by the reserve center for a wave.

The following day early 6am we got underway for Seattle for fuel & a oil change. After changing oil 80 gallons & 32 oil filter inserts we left Seattle via the government locks & headed for Westport which is our home port. 26 non eventful hours later we arrived.

The first winter & spring was spent making insides more livable for both of us. The pilot house was completely redone including a new electronics - vhf,ssb, gps, radar,depth sounder, my choice a electronic charting system. Getting the tug hauled out to paint the bottom & replacing the much needed zincs. Also installed a hause pipe for the anchor which the army stowed on deck, if needed 2 guys 1/2 hour later it could be deployed. No good for cruising.