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W.O. DECKER
Pictured as: the W.O. Decker (South Street Seaport Museum).
Photo courtesy of: South Street Seaport Museum

Built in 1930 by the Russell Dry Dock Co. of Long Island City, New York as the Russell I for the Russell Brothers Towing Company (Newtown Creek Towing Company) of New York, New York.

In 1947, she was acquired by the Decker Towing Company of Staten Island, NY, where she was renamed W.O. Decker.

In 1967 she was acquired by the Rogers Geo W. Construction Company of New York, New York where she retained her name.

In 1968 she was acquired by the Youghiogheny & Ohio Coal Company, of Bridgeport Connecticut, where she was renamed as the Susan Dayton.

In 1972 she was acquired by Dock Inc., of Stratford, Connecticut where she retained her name.

In 1978 she was acquired by Tug W.O. Decker Inc., where she was renamed as the W.O. Decker.

In 1986 she was acquired by the South Street Seaport Museum, of New York, New York, where she retained her name.

Originally steam-powered, she was re-engined in 1947, and later re-powered with a Detroit Diesel 6-110, for a rated 285 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: W.O. DECKER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 229987
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDJ2900
  • Hull Material: WOOD
  • Ship Builder: Russell Dry Dock Co
  • Year Built: 1930
  • Length: 48
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK
  • Hull Depth: 6
  • Hull Breadth: 15
  • Gross Tonnage: 27
  • Net Tonnage: 18
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Russell I, W.O. Decker, Susan Dayton
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Russell Brothers Towing Company, Decker Towing Company, Rogers Geo W. Construction Company, Youghiogheny & Ohio Coal Company, Dock Inc., Tug W.O. Decker Inc., South Street Seaport Museum