19th Annual Waterford Tugboat Roundup set for this weekend
WATERFORD, N.Y. » Beginning Friday afternoon people will be able to take part in the 19th annual Waterford Tugboat Roundup.
Described as the largest maritime festival in New York state, the Roundup is produced by the town of Waterford and sponsor-supported. There is no charge for any part of the event other than food, any souvenirs and the tourboat rides on the river, a news release said.
An estimated 30 boats are expected to attend the event, now celebrating 19 years on the Waterford canal wall. The boats range from historic to modern tugs, workboats, fireboats, crew boats, tenders and more.
“The first thing visitors will see is literally a dazzle, painted on the palette of a retired fireboat,” says Tom Beardsley in a news release, Marine Event Coordinator of the Waterford Tugboat Roundup.“Our Tug of the Year is the retired fireboat John J. Harvey, up from New York City. Not only is the boat’s new paint job dazzling, so is its history. For that matter, you could say the Roundup itself is all about history that dazzles.”
Organizers said the “Dazzle” of the Roundup will be the new paint job of the Harvey. This historic fireboat became itself a palette for Tauba Auerbach, an artist commissioned by the Public Art Fund and 14-18 Now Exhibition. The rendering of the Harvey shows con-
tradictory directions of whites and reds, emulating the ‘dazzle designs’ applied to ships during World War I to confuse U- boats in firing torpedoes. The Uboat captain determined the timing of the torpedo based on lining up a split screen in his periscope. The ‘dazzle’ camouf lage design made lining up the split screen nearly impossible. A similar paint scheme exists on the USS Slater, a destroyer nently docked escort on the perma- Hudson River in downtown Albany.
The paint schemes help celebrate the end of WWI.
Organizers said the Tug-boat Roundup will be featuring everything festival- goers have come to expect over its 19 years. Music throughout weekend with kids’ activities, walk-throughs of many of the boats, tour boat rides on more. the An Caldwell award-winning Belle and fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday night, weather permitting. This year there will also be “Tug Talks” in the Vis-itor's Center. Five presentations are scheduled on various topics including the saving of historic vessels such as the Harvey (of interest with recent attention to other historic vessels). Topics will include “Tugboats 101; What do Tugboats Do?”, a presentation on the sinking of a canal tug in the early 20th century and a presentation on continuing bicentennial plans of the NYSCanal Sys-tem. Officials said the John J. Harvey will be arriving in the Albany area on Thursday, Sept. 6, docking alongside the USS Slater at the foot of State St.
While there, the Harvey will be open for tours.
Officials said the artist behind the Dazzle paint job, Tauba Auerbach, works with various mediums, including photography, sculpture and language. With a personal penchant for history, she drew from an understand- ing of the WWI camouflage and an inspiration from rhythmic designs found in the wake patters of boats moving through the water.
The Harvey will be exhibiting this work through mid-May, 2019. After the exhibition closes, the Harvey will be restored to its historic paint scheme.
A major benefit to the Harvey was a full sandblasting, hull treatment and epoxy base-coat which should help protect the ship from the elements for years to come, the release said.
For up to date schedules and parking information, visit https://www.tugboatroundup.com/ or monitor their Facebook page https:// www. facebook.com/tugboatroundup
For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Tugboat Roundup sponsors, 65 Broad St., Waterford, NY 12188.