Moving the Peking

The Peking, built in 1911, is a four masted barque that was used in the nitrate and grain trade around Cape Horn, and served in the UK Royal Navy in World War II.

It has been moored at the South Street Seaport Museum in downtown Manhattan since 1975.

Two weeks ago, it went to dry dock on Staten Island, and was transported by McAllister Tugs.

We made quite a scene in the shipping channel that day as we navigated through all the traffic.

By means of three lines, the tug secured itself alongside the Peking and was able to move it.

Towards the end of the trip, I mustered up the courage to climb the rat lines on the Peking, and found the view much better from above.

I didn't make it to the top of the mast for the shot of the century—as the deck, in my mind, appeared to grow harder with each step aloft.

While at the South Street Seaport, I spotted another floating exhibit: an old McAllister tug boat.

The colors hadn't changed, but the design of this old boat matched my storybook ideas of a tug boat more closely than its modern counterparts.

Onboard the Peking, a volunteer crew hauled in the lines by hand.

Modern ships take their mechanical winches very much for granted—it took a team of five to pull each line tight.

After moving the Peking, our tug helped bring in a container ship before heading back to the yard.

Have a great week!
Todd

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