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PRESTON JAMES
Pictured as: the Eric R. Thornton (Thornton Brothers) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1960, by Blount Marine Incorporated of Warren, Rhode Island (hull #59) as the Roger Williams for the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island.

In 2006, the Providence Steamboat Company was acquired by the McAllister Towing and Transportation Company of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2014, the tug was acquired by Thornton Brothers Towing and Transportation Company of Allendale, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Eric R. Thornton.

In 2018, she was acquired by Legacy Marine Incorporated of Boston, Massachusetts. Where she was renamed as the Preston James.

In 2020, the tug was scrapped at Boston, Massachusetts. Powered by a single, EMD diesel engine. She was a single screw tug, rated at 2,000 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: PRESTON JAMES
  • USCG Doc. No.: 280540
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 6400795
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDD7527
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 59
  • Ship Builder: BLOUNT MARINE BLOUNT BOATS
  • Year Built: 1960
  • Length: 95.1
  • Hailing Port: BOSTON, MA.
  • Hull Depth: 12.4
  • Hull Breadth: 26
  • Gross Tonnage: 196
  • Net Tonnage: 133
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    ROGER WILLIAMS, ERIC R. THORNTON, PRESTON JAMES
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    PROVIDENCE STEAMBOAT ENTERPRISES LLC, MCALLISTER TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION CO INC, MARINE STEEL TRANSPORT LINE LLC, LEGACY MARINE LLC.