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DOUGLAS F.
Pictured as: the Leonard J. (Bay State Towing) Photo by: Captain Brian Fournier

Built in 1953, by RTC Shipbuilding of Camden, New Jersey (hull #217) as the Howard E. Simpson for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

Named for the Executive Vice President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.

In 1972, the tug was transferred to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway ship docking operation of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Where she retained her name.

In 1973, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway was absorbed into the Chessie System of Baltimore, Maryland. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, she was acquired by Captain Arthur Fournier of the Penobscot Bay Towing Company of Belfast, Maine. Where she was renamed as the Douglas F.

In 1988, the tug was acquired by Russell Trip of the Bay State Towing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Where she was renamed as the Leonard J.

In 1994, the engine room was gutted by a fire, that was determined to be the result of a crank case explosion.

In 1999, the salvaged hull was acquired by the Thames Towboat Company of New London, Connecticut. The Thames Towboat Company acquired the hull with the intention of renovating, and rehabilitating it. However, the project stalled and the work was never begun.

In 2006, the hull was scrapped at the Thames Shipyard and Repair Company in New London, Connecticut.

Powered by a single, Fairbanks Morse 10-38D-8 1/8 diesel engine. She was a single screw tug rated at 1,800 horsepower.
(Paul Strubeck, Captain Brian Fournier, John "Red" Bartlett)


  • Vessel Name: DOUGLAS F.
  • USCG Doc. No.: 265390
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WYZ4541
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 217
  • Ship Builder: RTC SHIPBUILDING
  • Year Built: 1953
  • Length: 104.2
  • Hailing Port: NEW LONDON, CT.
  • Hull Depth: 12.8
  • Hull Breadth: 26.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 234
  • Net Tonnage: 159
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Howard E. Simpson, DOUGLAS F., LEONARD J.
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    B. & O. Railroad, Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Chessie System, Penobscot Bay Towing, Bay State Towing, Thames Towboat Co.