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GAGE PAUL THORNTON
Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1944, by Platzer Boat Works of Houston, Texas (hull #125) as the ST-497 for the United States Army.

In 1946, she was acquired by the Russell Brothers Towing Company (Newtown Creek Towing Company) of New York, New York. Where she was renamed as the Russell 9.

In 1961, the tug was acquired by the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Where initially the tug retained her name.

In 1963, the McAllister Brothers Towing Company, renamed the tug as the Elizabeth McAllister.

The tug was later sold, where she was renamed as the Convoy. Then as the Captain R.W. Jr. And, then as the Beverly.

In 1997, she was acquired by the Bidco Marine Group of Buffalo, New York. Where she was renamed as the Ruby M.

In 2001, the tug was acquired by the Buffalo Industrial Diving Company of Buffalo, New York. Where she was renamed as the Ruby.

In 2006, she was acquired by Coastline Marine Towing of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. Where she was fitted with a raised wheelhouse, and renamed as the Coastline Girls.

In 2012, the tug was acquired by the Thornton Brothers Towing and Transportation Company (Marine Steel Transport Line) of Allendale, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Gage Paul Thornton.

In 2015, she was acquired by African based interests. However, the tug was lost in transit to her new owners. She was a single screw tug, rated at 400 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: GAGE PAUL THORNTON
  • USCG Doc. No.: 249574
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDD4876
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 125
  • Ship Builder: PLATZER BOAT WORKS
  • Year Built: 1944
  • Length: 68.9
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY
  • Hull Depth: 8
  • Hull Breadth: 20
  • Gross Tonnage: 93
  • Net Tonnage: 63
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    ST-497, Russell 9, Elizabeth McAllister, Convoy, Captain R.W. Jr., Beverly, Ruby M, Ruby, Coastline Girls, GAGE PAUL THORNTON
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United States Army, Newtown Creek Towing, McAllister Bros. Towing, BIDCO MARINE GROUP INC, BUFFALO INDUSTRIAL DIVING COMPANY INC, COASTLINE MARINE TOWING INC, MARINE STEEL TRANSPORT LINE LLC