Built in 1982, by Jeffboat Incorporated of Jeffersonville, Indiana (hull #81-2628) as the Athena for the Spartan Transportation Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1989, the tug was acquired by the Ingram Barge Company of Nashville, Tennessee. Where she was renamed as the James F. Neal.

Repowered in 2008, she is driven by two GM 12-710G diesel engines. With Lufkin reduction gears, at a ratio of 4.667:1. Turning two, fixed pitch propellers mounted in kort nozzles. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 6,000 horsepower.