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GRACO
Pictured as: the Lady Lois (Amherst-Madison) Photo by: Amherst-Madison Inc.

Built in 1923, by the Nashville Bridge Company of Nashville, Tennessee as the Catherine D. for the Alpha Portland Cement Company of Jamesville, New York.

However, the Alpha Portland Cement Company later renamed the tug as the C.A. Irvin.

The tug was later acquired by the Bedford-Nugent Company of Evansville, Indiana. Where the tug was renamed as Graco.

In 1962, the Bedford-Nugent Company became Evansville Materials Incorporated of Evansville, Indiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1973, she was acquired by Three State Towing Incorporated of Panama City, Florida. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1975, the tug was acquired by Jacobs Towing Incorporated of Louisville, Kentucky. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1976, she was acquired by Merdie Boggs and Sons Incorporated of Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Where the tug was renamed as the Lady Lois.

In 1982, the tug was leased to Warner Brothers of Los Angeles, California. For filming of the TV series "Mississippi." Where for filming only, she was renamed as the Charles W. Stone.

In 1983, Warner Brothers renamed the the tug for filming only. As the Mississippi.

In 1996, the tug was acquired by the Madison Coal and Supply Company of Charleston, West Virginia. Where the tug was renamed as the Lady Lois.

In 2010, the Madison Coal and Supply Company, become Amherst Madison Incorporated of Charleston, West Virginia. Where the tug retained her name.

Powered by a single, General Motors 6-110 diesel engine. With a Twin Disc reduction gear, at a ratio of 3:1. She is a paddle wheel driven tug, rated at 500 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: GRACO
  • USCG Doc. No.: 02278750
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WX3055
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Ship Builder: NASHVILLE BRIDGE COMPANY
  • Year Built: 1923
  • Length: 74
  • Hailing Port: CHARLESTON, WV.
  • Hull Depth: 4.2
  • Hull Breadth: 18
  • Gross Tonnage: 68
  • Net Tonnage: 46
  • Owner:
    AMHERST MADISON INC
    2 PORT AMHERST DRIVE
    CHARLESTON, WV 25306
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Catherine D., C. A. Irvin, Graco, Lady Lois, Charles W. Stone, Mississippi
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Alpha Portland Cement Co., Bedford-Nugent Co., Evansville Materials Inc, Three State Towing Inc., Jacobs Towing Inc., Warner Brothers Co., MADISON COAL AND SUPPLY COMPANY INC, AMHERST MADISON INC