Story
This tug was built in 1943 by Reliable Welding Works Inc. in Olympia, WA.
Historical Notes
On November 26, 1949, while towing scows from Bamberton, this tug, owned by Victoria Tug Co. Ltd., Victoria BC, sank off Trial Island with the loss of 6 of 7 of the crew, including Captain John Mason. (Gerald Anderson survived) “It is noteworthy that at the hearing held to investigate the sinking that it was suggested that the design of this class of vessel was inherently unstable. This was denied by others present but it was claimed at the time of the hearing that only six of the original fifty four vessels built were still afloat.”
Owners & Masters
In 1943-1947 she was owned by the United States Army (United States Maritime Commission).
In 1947-1949 she was owned by Victoria Tug Co. Ltd., Victoria BC Canada.
Masters
Captain Noel Hutton; Captain John Mason (1949);
Name Significance
George McGregor was the founder of the Victoria Tug Boat Co. Ltd.
References
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada (1993)
- Canada List of Shipping
- Newsletter of the Victoria Historical Soc iety #36 Summer 2013
- List of Shipping Casualties Resulting in Total Loss in British Columbia and Coastal Waters Since 1897 (undated manuscript document)
- Nanaimo Daily News (Nanaimo BC) Saturday November 26, 1949 page 1
- usarmysttugs.com ↗ (website viewed 01/02/2024)
