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SIGNET DEFENDER (1951)
Pictured as: the Chassidy Photo courtesy of: Gerard Thornton

Built in 1951, by RTC Shipbuilding of Camden, New Jersey (hull #207) as the Tamaqua for the Reading Railroad Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1970, the tug was acquired by the Mobile Towing and Wrecking Company of Mobile, Alabama. Where the tug was renamed the tug as the J.Barton Greer.

In 1970, she was acquired by the Moran Towing Company of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1981, the tug was acquired by the Crescent Towing and Salvage Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Nonie.

In 1988, the Crescent Towing and Salvage Company renamed the tug as the J.K. McLean.

In 1998, the tug was acquired by the Signet Maritime Corporation of Houston, Texas. Where she was renamed as the Signet Defender.

In 2007, she was acquired by the Thornton Brothers Towing and Transportation Company of Allendale, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Edith Thornton.

In 2011, the tug was acquired by undisclosed interests based in Trinidad and Tobago. Where she was renamed as the Chassidy.

Powered by a single, Fairbanks-Morse 38D-8 1/8 diesel engine. She was a single screw tug, rated at 1,600 horsepower.
(Paul Strubeck)


  • Vessel Name: SIGNET DEFENDER (1951)
  • USCG Doc. No.: 262886
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 5351466
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE2444
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 207
  • Ship Builder: RTC SHIPBUILDING
  • Year Built: 1951
  • Length: 104.2
  • Hull Depth: 12.8
  • Hull Breadth: 26.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 245
  • Net Tonnage: 166
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Tamaqua, J.Barton Greer, Nonie, J. K. MCLEAN, SIGNET DEFENDER, EDITH THORNTON
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Reading Railroad Co., Mobile Towing and Wrecking Co., Moran Towing Co., Crescent Towing and Salvage Co., SIGNET MARITIME CORPORATION, MARINE STEEL TRANSPORT LINE LLC, MARINE STEEL TRANSPORT LINE LLC