The San Francisco Maritime Park's Visitor center is the site of a new exhibit on the steam tug boat Hercules that is turning 100 this year.

Hercules is the only surviving steam powered ocean going tug boat in the US. Her 1000 horsepower engine allowed her to rescue broken down steam ships far at sea, tow long rafts and tow the battleship California after she was launched. She also
towed the Park's sailing vessels CA Thayer and Ballclutha at different times in their careers.

The tug's later years were spent with the Western Pacific Railroad towing car floats on San Francisco bay. She was retired in 1960.

The Visitor Center is open from 9:30am to 7pm for seven days a week during the summer.

Thanks Ted - now I've got to find a good excuse to get back out west. HERCULES is a classical tug, complete and original, and well worth a visit.

dave