tugboat Arthur Foss
| Model #: | 6-24 | Engine #: | 7347 |
| Bore & Stroke: | 18" x 24" | Cylinders: | six |
| Horsepower: | 700 | RPM: | 200 |
| Current Owner: | Northwest Seaport  link |
| Current Location: | Seattle, Washington map |
| Condition: | Operational |
Engine History
Five years after the Foss Launch and Tug Company purchased the steam tug Wallowa, they rebuilt her from the hull up into a modern diesel tug. Renamed the Arthur Foss after the 1934 conversion, the rebuilt tug was powered by one of the largest Washington Iron Works diesel engines ever built. With six 18" x 24" cylinders that generated between 700 and 900 horsepower, the engine made the Arthur one of the most powerful tugs on the West Coast.
More about the Arthur Foss's antique engine
Recent news
December 2007: the Arthur Foss's throw-out bearing was repaired during the 2007 Diesel Engine Theory Workshop, hosted by Northwest Seaport in partnership with the Center for Wooden Boats and Old Tacoma Marine Inc. Everett Engineering Inc. rebabbitted the bearing, returning it to operational condition and allowing the Arthur's propeller to be engaged for the first time since 2001. Read more about this project at Northwest Seaport's website here.
Engine Modifications
External Links
Northwest Seaport's Arthur Foss page
National Historic Landmark Nomination for the Arthur Foss
Engine Workshops on the Arthur Foss
Videos of the Arthur Foss's engine on YouTube
Photos of the Arthur Foss's engine on Flickr
Blog entries about the Arthur Foss on WordPress
