US 5965
The CURLEW was a wooden river tug with the official number C 122178, previously known as U 5965. It was originally built in 1867 by C.J. Rose in Ogdensburg, New York. The tug had a round stern design and underwent various rebuilds and changes throughout its history.
When originally built, the CURLEW had a high-pressure single-cylinder engine without a condenser, providing 80 indicated horsepower and 10.6 rated horsepower. In 1901, it was rebuilt at the St. Lawrence Marine Railway in Ogdensburg by H.C. Pearson. Following the rebuild, its specifications were modified. In its original configuration, it had a gross tonnage of 63.06 tons and a net tonnage of 31.53 tons, with a length of 77.0 feet (register). After the 1901 rebuild, it had a gross tonnage of 84.6 tons and a registered tonnage of 57.53 tons.
C.J. Rose, the original builder, may have been the first owner of the CURLEW. In 1875, the tug was sold to Hall and Gardiner, and in 1880, it passed to George Hall. Montreal Transportation Co. acquired the CURLEW from Hall. The tug experienced a sinking incident but was salvaged in 1907. Subsequently, it was sold to J.D. Morrison of Port Arthur, Ontario. In 1907, it underwent its third rebuild, this time in Port Arthur, and was then sold to the Great Lakes Dredging Co. in 1908. The dredging company remained the owner of the CURLEW until at least 1917.
The ownership of the CURLEW changed hands over the years. In 1920, it may have been owned by J. O’Brien of Ottawa. From 1924 to 1933, the Great Lakes Dredging and Contracting company once again appeared as the owner of the tug. The CURLEW was ultimately scuttled in 1933, and its registry was closed on November 28, 1936.
Sources used for this information include Beeson’s Marine Directory 1917, Bureau Veritas Great Lakes Register 1915, Classification of Lake Vessels and Barges 1871, Canada List of Shipping 1910, 1912, 1915, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1929, and 1933-35, Canadian Heritage Ship Information Database, McCormick Wishbone Fleet, Mercantile Navy List 1923 and 1925, Merchant Vessels of the United States 1896, New Mills List, and Canadian Railway & Marine World March 1906.
