January 22 along the coast

Featuring the small but tough boats that make a harbor work: tugs

Do you enjoy watching tugboats? Do your kids?

By Share Bear (dmahalin@gmail.com) – Own work – Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1653973

I have always admired tugboats since I first observed one in action. My earliest memory of this was likely in Kingston, Ontario, where we visited my Uncle Joe Doucette, who served in the Canadian Navy. My family has a strong maritime heritage; not only do I have an uncle and cousin who are seamen, but my great-grandfather owned a fishing schooner. My appreciation for the individuals and vessels that keep a harbour operational is deeply rooted in my working-class background.

Tug G.R. Geary breaking ice – January 22, 1930

While I do not aspire to yacht ownership, I can envision myself working on a tugboat. Notably, my Aunt Leona Doucette (Dunphy) was the first woman in Canada to obtain a fishing boat captain’s license.

That’s me, but do you like to watch tugs too? Joanne Doucette

For the background of the G. R. Geary tugboat, to to: https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/item/435385

G. R. Geary tug being launched at Polson’s Iron Works – March 7, 1912

This would have been something to watch. Polson’s was at the mouth of the Don River. For more info about this shipbuilder go to: https://www.polsonironworks.ca/