Built in 1882, by Neafie and Levy Engine Building Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (hull #730) as the R.G. Townsend for the Cornell Steamboat Company of New York, New York.

In 1951, the tug was acquired by the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

However, the tug was acquired only for scrapping. She was a single screw tug, rated at 348 horsepower.