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$275.00
Seguin | Historic wooden tugboat, 1884. Built in Bath, ME, the Seguin spent her first years towing wooden sailing vessels in the Kennebec River and towing cargo barges along the Atlantic coast. In the early 1900’s, she became a New York harbor tug, finally returning to an active career in Maine until retiring in 1967.
The Seguin Wooden Tugboat is a historic vessel that has been an important part of Maine’s maritime history for over a century. Built in 1884 by the Percy & Small Shipyard in Bath, Maine, it was originally commissioned by the Maine Central Railroad Company to serve as a tugboat for their freight and passenger steamers. The tugboat was named after Seguin Island, a small island located off the coast of Maine.
This plank on bulkhead kit, designed for expert modelers, is adaptable to steam or electric power and radio control.
The kit includes many laser cut parts, including the complex paneling of the deck-house, and is complete with all fittings, rigging line and other materials even the traditional rooster on the deck-house! It is important to note that some pictured items may have been built with optional items not included as part of standard kits, such as pedestals, bases, cases, paint, etc. If there are any questions about the contents of a particular kit, please contact Bluejacket.
Paint Kit Contents:
Thinner (1 oz)
Clear
Primer
Flat Black
Flat White
British Crimson
Copper
LOA: 26″
Height: 18″
Scale: 1/4″
Finished Model: $2,950.00
The Seguin Wooden Tugboat was a significant innovation in the world of maritime transportation at the time of its construction. Unlike traditional tugboats, which were made of iron or steel, the Seguin was built entirely out of wood. This was a bold and unconventional decision, as wooden vessels were considered to be less durable and reliable compared to their metal counterparts. However, the Percy & Small Shipyard was known for their skilled craftsmanship and used the finest quality of oak and pine to construct the tugboat, making it strong and sturdy despite being made of wood.
The tugboat had a length of 64 feet and a beam of 17 feet, with a shallow draft of only 6 feet. This allowed it to navigate the shallow and rocky waters of Maine’s coast with ease, making it an invaluable asset for the Maine Central Railroad Company. The Seguin was also equipped with a powerful steam engine and a propeller, giving it an impressive towing capacity of up to 100 tons. This made it a crucial vessel for towing larger steamers and barges in and out of the harbors and ports along the coast of Maine.
Over the years, the Seguin Wooden Tugboat underwent several renovations and upgrades to keep up with the changing times and technology. In 1919, it was converted from steam to diesel power, and in 1949, it was fitted with a new engine. Despite these changes, the tugboat retained its original wooden structure and continued to serve as a reliable and efficient vessel.
In the 1980s, the Seguin Wooden Tugboat was retired from commercial service and was purchased by the Maine Maritime Museum. The museum then began a restoration project to return the tugboat to its original 1884 appearance. The restoration process was a labor of love, as the museum used traditional shipbuilding techniques and materials to preserve the authenticity of the vessel.
Today, the Seguin Wooden Tugboat is a beloved icon of Maine’s maritime heritage and is open to the public for tours and educational programs. It is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship and innovative spirit of Maine’s shipbuilding industry and serves as a reminder of the important role tugboats played in the state’s economic development. The Seguin Wooden Tugboat is a true masterpiece of wooden boat construction and continues to be a source of pride for the people of Maine.
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$275.00
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