Tugboat 1890

Vessel Pricing: The Port of Port Townsend is on the lookout for a new caretaker and owner for the historic vessel Elmore. We acknowledge the current state of the vessel, and both the price and deposit are flexible, based on your proposed restoration and stewardship plan. If you're interested, please arrange a visit to see the boat. Built in 1890 by Elmore Fish Canning in Astoria, Oregon, the R.P. Elmore was initially commissioned as a steam-powered passenger and freight steamer for Elmore and Sanborn Fisheries. In 1898, the vessel was owned by the Towle-Thurston Towing Company of Everett, Washington, and played a role in the Yukon Gold Rush by transporting passengers and cargo to Alaska. The company was acquired by the American Tug Boat Company in 1901, and the Elmore continued her commercial journey until 1922 when she was severely damaged by fire. She was rebuilt as a fish carrier and tugboat, retaining the name Elmore, and equipped with a 3-cylinder, 110-horsepower diesel engine from Washington Iron Works. Over the years, ownership changed multiple times, including a 1967 acquisition by Puget Sound Freight Lines, which renamed her Kiket. She continued under the Washington Tug and Barge Company and Knappton Towboat Company, holding onto the name Elmore throughout those transitions. Decommissioned in 1982 and nearly scuttled, she was rescued by Dave Updike of Seattle, later bought by Floyd Waite, who restored her as a private yacht and reinstated the name Elmore. Ownership transitioned to Dee and Sara Meek in 1990, and later to Henning Heinemann, who kept her active. In 1996, the Elmore was repowered with a 4-cylinder Atlas Imperial diesel engine, also rated at 110 horsepower. Most recently, in 2024, the vessel was acquired by the Port of Port Townsend, Washington, where she is currently laid up. With over 130 years of rich maritime history, the Elmore stands as a remarkable testament to the legacy of Pacific Northwest working vessels and their adaptability through evolving eras of navigation, industry, and ownership.

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