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A pusher, pusher craft, pusher boat, pusher tug, or towboat, is a
boat A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically found on inl ...
designed for pushing
barge Barge nowadays generally refers to a flat-bottomed inland waterway vessel which does not have its own means of mechanical propulsion. The first modern barges were pulled by tugs, but nowadays most are pushed by pusher boats, or other vessels ...
s or
car float A railroad car float or rail barge is a specialised form of lighter with railway tracks mounted on its deck used to move rolling stock across water obstacles, or to locations they could not otherwise go. An unpowered barge, it is towed by a tugb ...
s. In the United States, the industries that use these vessels refer to them as towboats. These vessels are characterized by a square bow, a shallow draft, and typically have knees, which are large plates mounted to the bow for pushing barges of various heights. These boats usually operate on rivers and inland
waterway A waterway is any navigable body of water. Broad distinctions are useful to avoid ambiguity, and disambiguation will be of varying importance depending on the nuance of the equivalent word in other languages. A first distinction is necessary b ...
s. Multiple barges lashed together, or a boat and any barges lashed to it, are referred to as a "tow" and can have dozens of barges. Many of these vessels, especially the long distances, or long haul boats, include living quarters for the crew.


Size

Towboat engine outputs range from less than up to . Most towboats are from long, and wide. Smaller boats are used in
harbors A harbor (American English), harbour (British English; see spelling differences), or haven is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked. The term ''harbor'' is often used interchangeably with ''port'', which is a ...
, fleeting areas and around
locks Lock(s) may refer to: Common meanings *Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance *Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal Arts and entertainment * ''Lock ...
while larger boats operate in "line-haul" operations over long distances and between major ports. In the United States, south of the Chain of Rocks Lock across from
St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...
on the
Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it f ...
, the river is open with no locks or impediments other than channel size and depth. Larger boats can run this segment of the river with the maximum tow size of 42 barges southbound and 40+ northbound. A typical River tow might be 35 to 42 barges, each about long by wide, configured in a rectangular shape 6 to 7 barges long and 5 to 6 barges wide, depending on the number of barges in tow. The whole tow, excluding the towboat, can easily be over long and wide, covering over and holding thousands of tons of cargo. In the United States above St. Louis on the Upper Mississippi River and on other rivers such as the
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
,
Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
,
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...
,
Tennessee Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
and
Cumberland Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...
, boats can handle only up to 16 barges including a "hip" barge due to the size of lock chambers. These boats tend to be limited to . Towboats in line-haul service operate 24/7 and have the latest in navigational equipment, such as color radar, GPS systems, electronic river charts, and specialized radio communications. Boats that traverse the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) are commonly referred to as "ditch boats" or "canal boats". ICW tows usually consist of 1 to 6 barges ranging in size, usually "strung out" end to end when loaded or "breasted up" side by side when empty. Towboats always push the "tow" of barges, which are lashed together with steel cables usually in diameter.


History

The term towboat arises from
steamboat A steamboat is a boat that is marine propulsion, propelled primarily by marine steam engine, steam power, typically driving propellers or Paddle steamer, paddlewheels. Steamboats sometimes use the ship prefix, prefix designation SS, S.S. or S/S ...
days, when steamboat fortunes began to decline and to survive, steamboats began to "tow" wooden barges alongside to earn additional revenue. Eventually, the railroad expansion following the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
ended the steamboat era. During the 19th century, towboats were used to push
showboat A showboat, or show boat, was a floating theater that traveled along the waterways of the United States, especially along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, to bring culture and entertainment to the inhabitants of river frontiers. Showboats were a ...
s, which lacked steam engines to free up space for a theater.


Preserved towboats

The
Binnenvaartmuseum Binnenvaartmuseum ('Inland Shipping Museum') is a floating museum in Dordrecht, South Holland, Netherlands, on the waterway near the former shipyard De Biesbosch. Description The museum is run by Vereniging De Binnenvaart (established 1990), wh ...
('Inland Shipping Museum') in
Dordrecht Dordrecht (), historically known in English as Dordt (still colloquially used in Dutch, ) or Dort, is a city and municipality in the Western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland. It is the province's fifth-largest city after R ...
,
South Holland South Holland ( nl, Zuid-Holland ) is a province of the Netherlands with a population of over 3.7 million as of October 2021 and a population density of about , making it the country's most populous province and one of the world's most densely ...
, Netherlands is centered around ''René Siegfried'', a
River Rhine ), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland , source1_coordinates= , source1_elevation = , source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein , source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland , source2_coordinates= , sourc ...
pusher boat which was built in 1963 and decommissioned in 1989. The ''W. P. Snyder Jr.'', also known as W. H. Clingerman, W. P. Snyder Jr. State Memorial, or J. L. Perry, is a historic towboat moored on the Muskingum River in Marietta, Ohio, at the Ohio River Museum. A
National Historic Landmark A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...
, she is the only intact steam-driven sternwheel towboat still on the United States river system.


See also

*
American Waterways Operators The American Waterways Operators, is the national trade association for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry. For more than 60 years AWO has promoted the contribution of the domestic waterways transportation industry to the U.S. economy. A ...
*
River cruise A river cruise is a voyage along inland waterways, often stopping at multiple ports along the way. Since cities and towns often grew up around rivers, river cruise ships frequently dock in the center of cities and towns. Descriptions River da ...
*
Riverboat A riverboat is a watercraft designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury un ...
**
Paddle steamer A paddle steamer is a steamship or steamboat powered by a steam engine that drives paddle wheels to propel the craft through the water. In antiquity, paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses wer ...
*
Sampan A sampan is a relatively flat-bottomed Chinese and Malay wooden boat. Some sampans include a small shelter on board and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. The design closely resembles Western hard chine boats like th ...
*
Tugboat A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, su ...


Notes


References

* Nautical terminology specific to towboating and inland waterways. * *


External links


"Diesel Engines For Towboat", December 1931, Popular Mechanics
bottom of page 981 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (1 of 6) 87j082.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (1 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (2 of 6) 87j083.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (2 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (3 of 6) 87j084.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (3 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (4 of 6) 87j085.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (4 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (5 of 6) 87j086.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (5 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Ben McCool upbound on Ohio River with two tank barges (6 of 6) 87j087.jpg, Towboat ''Ben McCool'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge with two tank barges (6 of 6), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Bruce Darst upbound at Clark Bridge Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 604 2005 file a5k022.jpg, Towboat ''Bruce Darst'' upbound on Ohio River at Clark Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 2005 Image:Towboat City of Pittsburgh upbound at Clark Bridge Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 604 2005 file a5k024.jpg, Towboat ''City of Pittsburgh'' upbound on Ohio River at Clark Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 2005 Image:Towboat Dakota Storm upbound at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge near Mauckport Indiana USA Ohio River mile 648 1987 file 87j089.jpg, Towboat ''Dakota Storm'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge (1 of 4), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Dakota Storm upbound at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge near Mauckport Indiana USA Ohio River mile 648 1987 file 87j092.jpg, Towboat ''Dakota Storm'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge (2 of 4), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Dakota Storm upbound at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge near Mauckport Indiana USA Ohio River mile 648 1987 file 87j093.jpg, Towboat ''Dakota Storm'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge (3 of 4), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Dakota Storm upbound at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge near Mauckport Indiana USA Ohio River mile 648 1987 file 87j094.jpg, Towboat ''Dakota Storm'' upbound on Ohio River at Matthew E. Welsh Bridge (4 of 4), near Mauckport, Indiana, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Elizabeth Marie departing main lock at McAlpine Locks Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 607 1999 file 99c020.jpg, Towboat ''Elizabeth Marie'' departing main lock at McAlpine Locks on Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Enid Dibert departing main lock at McAlpine Locks, 1999, Ohio River mile 607 (99c025).jpg, Towboat ''Enid Dibert'' departing main lock at McAlpine Locks on Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Hugh C. Blaske upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b035.jpg, Towboat ''Hugh C. Blaske'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (1 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Hugh C. Blaske upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b037.jpg, Towboat ''Hugh C. Blaske'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (2 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat James G. Hines upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b023.jpg, Towboat ''James G. Hines'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (1 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat James G. Hines upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b025.jpg, Towboat ''James G. Hines'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (2 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Jerry E. Holbert upbound at Clark Bridge Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 604 2005 file a5k018.jpg, Towboat ''Jerry E. Holbert'' upbound on Ohio River at Clark Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 2005 Image:Towboat Martha Mac upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99d069.jpg, Towboat ''Martha Mac'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (1 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Martha Mac upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99d071.jpg, Towboat ''Martha Mac'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (2 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Michael J. Grainger upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98k078.jpg, Towboat ''Michael J. Grainger'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 Image:Towboat R. W. Naye upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b032.jpg, Towboat ''R. W. Naye'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (1 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat R. W. Naye upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1999 file 99b034.jpg, Towboat ''R. W. Naye'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (2 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1999 Image:Towboat Sue Chappell upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98k095.jpg, Towboat ''Sue Chappell'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (1 of 4), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 Image:Towboat Sue Chappell upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98k096.jpg, Towboat ''Sue Chappell'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (2 of 4), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 Image:Towboat Sue Chappell upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98k097.jpg, Towboat ''Sue Chappell'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (3 of 4), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 Image:Towboat Sue Chappell upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98k098.jpg, Towboat ''Sue Chappell'' upbound in Portland Canal on Ohio River (4 of 4), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 Image:Towboat V.W. Meythaler upbound at Clark Bridge Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 604 1987 file 87j068.jpg, Towboat ''V.W. Meythaler'' upbound at Clark Bridge (1 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat V.W. Meythaler upbound at Clark Bridge Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 604 1987 file 87j069.jpg, Towboat ''V.W. Meythaler'' upbound at Clark Bridge (2 of 2), Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat Valvoline upbound with empty tank barges in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1987 file 87i075.jpg, Towboat ''Valvoline'' upbound with empty tank barges in Portland Canal, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1987 Image:Towboat William Clark upbound in Portland Canal Louisville Kentucky USA Ohio River mile 605 1998 file 98l011.jpg, Towboat ''William Clark'' upbound in Portland Canal, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 1998 {{Authority control Boat types cs:Remorkér pt:Rebocador ru:Буксир