Bow Tug Boat, Small
In the interwar decades of the 1920s and 1930s, the Army saw the need to standardize the types of tug boats it used for oceangoing transport and supply vehicles. The system was divided into two groups, the Large Tugs (LTs) and Small Tugs (STs). Within the 'ST' section, various roles needed to be filled, therefore a single design could not be used. So, in addition to a common, comparatively large ST type ocean tug, the Army had designed a ST type Bow Tug Boat in the late 1930s to deal with maneuvering larger vessels into place once in harbor.
Often thirty to eighty feet shorter than their fellow STs, Bow Tugs were capable of precise movements. The diminutive Bow STs were capable of guiding even the largest ships carefully into place. Although it was technically possible for the four man crew to sleep onboard, they were almost always based off of land, going out only when needed for the incoming ship's final guidance and positioning.
This particular tug, ST-2031, is one of the last of its type produced. Built in 1952, the pre-war lines of a 1930s vessel are clearly visible. The design has since been extensively updated to provide for better crew comfort levels and increased handling. This particular ST saw service supporting operations in Greenland.
Erected by US Army Transportation
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Cold • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 37° 9.88′ N, 76° 34.581′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard, 0.1 miles north of Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Model 234B Picket Boat, 'J-Boat' (here, next to this marker); Barge, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 'BARC' 3-X (here, next to this marker); Landing Craft, Mechanized Model 6, 'LCM-6' (a few steps from this marker); Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 'LARC XV' (within shouting distance of this marker); Aviation in the Transportation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Vertical Axis Propeller - Beach Discharge Lighter 'BDL' 1x (within shouting distance of this marker); OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (within shouting distance of this marker); TH-55 Osage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
