Home Search Links About Us Updates Login
TOWMASTER
Pictured as the Towmaster (Thames Towboat Company) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1952, by Ira S. Bushey and Sons Incorporated of Brooklyn, New York (hull #604) as the YN-604 (Valiant) for the United States Navy.

In 1952, in lieu of being delivered to the United States Navy. The tug was acquired by the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Where she was renamed as the Maurania II.

In 1974, the tug was acquired by Edward Sanchez of the Sanchez Marine Services Incorporated of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Where she was renamed as the Towmaster.

In 1986, Sanchez Marine Services Incorporated was acquired Crosby Towboat Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1986, she was acquired by the Massachusetts Towing Company of Fall River, Massachusetts. A subsidy of the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1997, the Massachusetts Towing Company was absorbed into the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2004, the tug was acquired by the Thames Towboat Company of New London, Connecticut. Where she retained her name.

Originally powered by a single, six cylinder, Fairbanks Morse diesel engine. Turning a single, fixed pitch, propeller, for a rated 1,200 horsepower.

In 1977, she was repowered with a single EMD 16-645 diesel engine. Turning a single, fixed pitch, propeller. She is a single screw tug, rated 2,000 horsepower.
(NavSource Online, David Wright, Charles Crosby, Tom Rush)


  • Vessel Name: TOWMASTER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0263099
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 05229730
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB9011
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 604
  • Ship Builder: IRA S BUSHEY & SONS INC
  • Year Built: 1952
  • Length: 94.1
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY.
  • Hull Depth: 10
  • Hull Breadth: 25.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 181
  • Net Tonnage: 123
  • Owner:
    THAMES TOWBOAT CO INC
    2 FERRY STREET PO BOX 791
    NEW LONDON, CT 06320
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    YN-604, Maurania II, Valiant, TOWMASTER
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United States Navy, Providence Steamboat Co., Sanchez Marine Services Inc.; MASSACHUSETTS TOWING CO INC., A & J TOWING LLC., THAMES TOWBOAT CO. INC.