Quebec Report -1, Russel warping tug

While in Quebec this summer I was fortunate enough to spot  a typical Russel warping tug. Russel Brothers was founded in Fort Frances in 1907. They initially built tugs in wood, and moved to Owen Sound in 1937. The company expanded with diesel engine sales and service centres under the Russel Hipwell name. Using the trade name Steelcraft, Russel also built small ships in its later years, but was closed in 1974.
Its most popular product was the 37'-6" long warping tug, used in the woods operations of most of the pulp and paper companies. The boats were fitted with a large bow roller, grapple anchor and warping machine (winch). Setting out the anchor, the tug then connected to a log boom and winched itself up to the anchor.  The gearing of the warping winch allowed them to pull far more than they could on their own engine and prop. They were also able to warp themselves over land, portaging between lakes, often on winter ice or snow roads.  Using their heavily guarded props they working in amongst wood booms pushing and pulling.
Built to robust standards many outlived the woods operations of their owners, or became surplus as modern machinery was introduced.
Groupe Océan of Quebec City scooped up a number of these boats and put them to work in their marine construction operations, and some were converted to pleasure craft. Others have been preserved as displays at museums and interpretation centres. Since they were easily transported by train or truck, they sometimes moved around as the owners operations required. Others were abandoned in remote country since the cost of relocating them exceeded their value.

A preserved warping tug is the unnamed vessel I saw in Anse-St-Jean, QC, in August. The major pulpwood company in the area was Consolidated Paper, and this is likely one of their former units. Its cabin has been replaced. but the hull, and bow roller are still in the original configuration. It also appears to have been in service until fairly recently, and may still be operable. A slot in the housing over the warping winch aligns with the bow roller, and the protective cage around the prop and rudder is till in place.

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Russel tugs - do they last forever?

The Owen Sound, ON based tug builders Russel Brothers, and Russel-Hipwell Engines Ltd., as they later became, stopped building tugs in the 1960s, however so many of their hulls are still going, that one has to ask the question - will they last forever?
Several factors in their favour are that most have spent their lives in fresh water - or at least a good portion of their lives there.
Another is that they were built to do rough work, usually in logging operations, and so were built to take abuse. They were also technically simple - little more than a hull/cabin with a very basic propulsion system.
Those who operate then now want to keep them going due to very high replacement costs.
A recent trip through Quebec turned up a few Russels in various places:
1. La Trenche was built in 1950. It is seen here working on a bridge project at St-François du Lac for Groupe Océan.

2. This unknown Russel is now a pleasure craft at Louiseville QC, July 8.

3. OC 34 ex Rapide des Coeurs was originally built in 1934, but extensively rebuilt in 2002. It is shown at Groupe Océan's maintenance yard in Quebec City.

4. Groupe Océan is by far the largest owner of Russel tugs, and has several in various states of repair at any given time. (The tug on the left is not a Russel). Second from left is H.E.Graham, built in 1964 - it appears to have had an engine fire. Third from left is Pascal D. ex Namekos, built in 1955. Far right is La Croche built in 1940. Quebec City July 6.

5. Le Phil D. ex Expanse, was built in 1961. It is seen here at Rivière du Loup, June 30 tending the dredge Ocean Basque 2. It too works for Groupe Océan.

The excellent Russel web site (although a few years out of date) is well worth a look, to see the huge numbers of boats the company built, and an explanation of their unique appearance.
See: http://www.russelbrothers.com/
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