C-Tractor

The C-Tractor 3, sister ship to the William M, escorts the U.S. Navy ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740).
C-Tractor 3 escorts the U.S. Navy ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740).
Class overview
BuildersNorth American Shipbuilding Company
OperatorsBay-Houston Towing Company
Built1989–1993
In service1989–present
Completed14
Active14
General characteristics
TypeZ-drive tug
Tonnage189 GT
Length109 ft (33 m)
Beam37 ft (11 m)
Draft17 ft (5.2 m)
Installed power4,000 shp (3,000 kW)
PropulsionZ-drive
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Bollard pull110,000 lb (50,000 kg)
Water cannonsfore and aft, 3,500 US gal/min (790 m3/h)

C-Tractor is a class of fourteen tractor tugs built by North American Shipbuilding Company between 1989 and 1993 for Alpha Marine Services, a subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore.[1] The lead ship of the class was William M , also known as C-Tractor 1[2][3]

C-Tractors measure 189 GT.[2] They are propelled by Z-drive pods, powered by twin EMD 16-645 engines rated at 4,000 shaft horsepower (3,000 kW). The tugs mount fore and aft fire-fighting monitors, capable of pumping a total of 3,500 US gallons per minute (790 m3/h).

In 2005, C-Tractor 1 was sold to Bay-Houston Towing Company and based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her sister ships continue to be owned by Alpha Marine; six – C-Tractor 2, C-Tractor 3, C-Tractor 4, C-Tractor 5, C-Tractor 12, C-Tractor 13 – were at one point chartered to the United States Navy.[4][5]

C-Tractor 1

History
Name
  • C-Tractor 1 (1989–)
  • William M (–)
Owner
BuilderNorth American Shipbuilding Company
Yard number133
Launched1989
Identification
StatusActive

C-Tractor 1 (William M) was built in 1989. In 2005 it was sold to Bay-Houston Towing Company and based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

References

  1. ^ "North American Shipbuilding, Larose LA, North American Fabricators, Houma LA, and Gulf Ship, Gulfport MS". Shipbuilding History. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Bay-Houston Towing Buys Tractor Tug". Maritime Reporter and Engineering News (Press release). 3 February 2005. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Our boats". Bay-Houston Towing Company. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  4. ^ Photo gallery of Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) at NavSource Naval History – Commissioning – Present
  5. ^ "TC0108". United States Navy.[dead link‍]