Built in 1977, by St. Louis Ship Incorporated of St. Louis, Missouri (hull #3797) as the James E. Wright for the Indiana-Michigan Power Company of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1994, the tug was acquired by the Marquette Transportation Company of Jefferson, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Thomas E. Erickson.
Powered by two, EMD-16-645E7 diesel engines. Turning two, stainless steel, fixed pitch propellers, in kort nozzles. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 6,140 horsepower.