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P.J.T. CO. No. 8
Pictured as: the Titan (McAllister Towing) Photo courtesy of: Harold E. Tartell

Built in 1909, by Burlee Drydock of Mariner's Harbor in Staten Island, New York (hull #449) as the Empire for the Erie Railroad Company of Jersey City, New Jersey.

However, prior to her completion for the Erie Railroad Company. The unfinished tug was acquired by the Panama Railroad Company of Panama City, Panama. When the tug was completed, she was renamed as the P.J.T. Co. No. 8.

After she was launched, the tug was utilized in the construction of the Panama Canal. However, while working at the site of the Panama Canal. The P.J.T. Co. No. 8. was caught in a rockslide and was buried. The tug remained buried for a year before being dug out, and returned to service.

In 1923, the tug was acquired Danziger Lumber Company. Where she retained her name.

She was later acquired by the Sabine Towing Company of Port Arthur, Texas. Where she retained her name. The tug was utilized for offshore towing. However, In the 1920's the tug was renamed as the Empire.

While towing an oil barge in September of 1928 off of Pensacola, Florida. She was caught in a hurricane. The tug attempted to find a sheltered anchorage but struck the bottom and damaging her propeller. Through the course of the hurricane, the high waters and gale force winds carried the Empire over half a mile inland. The tug was salvaged by dredging a canal and towing her back out to sea.

In 1949, the tug was repowered. Where she was renamed as the Titan. Originally powered with a triple expansion steam engine measuring 14, 22 and 36 bore by 24 stroke. This engine produced 800 horsepower and was fed by a single 14 x 12 Scotch boiler. Upon her repowering, she was fitted with a triple expansion steam engine was removed and a new direct reversing supercharged diesel engine was installed rated at 1,750 horsepower, eight cylinder, 16 x 22, four cycle, Nordberg model FSM-168-SC.

After her rebuild, the tug was assigned to tow a stranded 15,000 ton tanker off of Sabine, Texas 1,500 nautical miles to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Around 1980, the tug was acquired by McAllister Towing of New York, New York. In 1982, the tug was repowered again. She was fitted with an Electro Motive Division 16-645 diesel engine, rated at 2,000 horsepower.

In 1999, she was laid up. The tug served as a back up boat until 2003. However, in January of 2004, she was acquired by the Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation and moved up the Cape Fear River to a new berth in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. She was then acquired by the Swansboro Rotary Club.

The superstructure was cut off to remove the engine. It was discovered that the welds used to reattach the superstructure were weak and, had eventually caused the superstructure to collapse.

In 2004, the tug was reefed.
(Sean Yates)


  • Vessel Name: P.J.T. CO. No. 8
  • USCG Doc. No.: 206765
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 449
  • Ship Builder: Burlee Dry Dock
  • Year Built: 1909
  • Length: 110
  • Hailing Port: WILMINGTON, NC.
  • Hull Breadth: 25
  • Gross Tonnage: 288
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Empire, P.J.T. Co. No. 8, Empire, Titan
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Port Johnson Towing Co., Danziger Lumber Company, Sabine Towing Company, McAllister Towing of Wilmington, Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation, Swansboro Rotary Club