Tug on the Cape Fear

[SkipP]

I've been seeing this old tug along the Cape Fear River for over 30 years. It's been a part of the scenery that ties the modern shipping industry with the past when the Cape Fear River was a major mode of commerce. A heavy fog a few weeks seemed to make the perfect backdrop for this scene. The abondoned tug was steam driven and I've wondered many times what led to it being abondoned...

[jckegley]

That is soooo cool. The wood on the bow falling apart, the fog. Really eerie and magical.

What's behind the fog? Are there boat docks and industry on the far shore line? I bet that fog was a blessing, hiding undesirable things in the background.

Is the location easy to explain? Or not a secret. I would love to see that boat for myself next time I visit the Wilmington area.

Again Waaay coool

[Squatty]

FABULOUS shot! I don't think there's anything you can pick apart here. Just simply awesome!

[SkipP]

Thanks guys. No secret here...this boat is located directly across the river from Wilmington. Were it not for the for, downtown would be clearly visible. On the Cape Fear Memorial bridge, headed west, the tug can be seen if you look towards the battleship. Access to it is from the USS North Carolina road.

Here's an alterntive view...couldn't find the one without fog...

http://ic2.pbase.com/g1/57/586657/2/97905597.tc77m30J.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/skipp35/image/97905597

[Rubberhead]

FABULOUS shot! I don't think there's anything you can pick apart here. Just simply awesome!

My thoughts exactly. I even like the fog. It give it the right "feel".

[jckegley]

Well your second photo is almost like travel directions in itself. Pretty much shows the location if you are familiar with Wilmington and the USS North Carolina battleship. I guess a picture can tell a 1000 words.

[barmstrong]

Very cool image, Skip. The fog really make this one. I almost expect to see a ghost in the wheelhouse.

[dddenton]

Love it! Talk about mood. I think I saw this tug a few months ago while in Wilmington but wouldn't have thought it could look like this. Nicely done.

Deede

[rpearce12]

The mood is set instantly when I look at this shot. Great job with this.

[Idlewild]

Very cool shot. Love to hear some of the stories from that ol' girl.

[DonnerE]

I love this shot Skip! The fog just makes it! The image makes me want to know the history and stories this old tug could tell!

[Detoff]

Excellent capture. I've been to the battleship, but didn't know there were things like this to see around that area.

[hTr]

That is a Piece of Art!!! Great Image and the fog just makes it happen!!!;)

[jentheartist]

If you haven't seen it yet - better hurry - here's a recent shot (March 2012)

[SkipP]

If you haven't seen it yet - better hurry - here's a recent shot (March 2012)

Yikes! Looks like it's about a gonner, doesn't it? These high tides probably speed up the process too...

[LittlefieldSC]

I've been seeing this old tug along the Cape Fear River for over 30 years. It's been a part of the scenery that ties the modern shipping industry with the past when the Cape Fear River was a major mode of commerce. A heavy fog a few weeks seemed to make the perfect backdrop for this scene. The abondoned tug was steam driven and I've wondered many times what led to it being abondoned...

Skip, great shot with the fog. I bet that will look good on your wall .
Don

[jentheartist]

Hi Skip,
Sadly, yes, it's falling apart compared to the original image. There are still some old wrecks and things to find out there. If you need a tour - gottaflylee (on this site) was the captain that took us around - he can get his boat into some pretty cool locations! But there isn't a ton of photo op's like the originally shot from the views I have seen.

[LittlefieldSC]

Hi Skip,
Sadly, yes, it's falling apart compared to the original image. There are still some old wrecks and things to find out there. If you need a tour - gottaflylee (on this site) was the captain that took us around - he can get his boat into some pretty cool locations! But there isn't a ton of photo op's like the originally shot from the views I have seen.

Yea, looks like he took it in 2009 so real nice to have preserved a great shot of the old tug with that foggy atmosphere.
Don