International Tugboat Race 1999

The 1999 International Tugboat Race was held on the Detroit River, between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, and from just below the Ambassador Bridge to Dieppe Park on the Windsor waterfront. Saturday, June 28 at 1:00 PM was the start, and the tugs were doing their customary milling and jostling to secure an advantageous position. At the flare signal they were off for their 23rd annual sprint up the river.

This year my cousin Jerry volunteered his boat to carry press people who wanted to cover the races from the water. We had representatives from both print and TV aboard. We tried to put the boat in a variety of positions alongside the racecourse so that the cameraman and photographers would be able to get all the angles they wanted. This made keeping track of the progress of the race a bit difficult. In some cases, I had to wait until the awards were handed out to discover how some of my favorites had placed.

The weather was fine; the race was exciting; the Awards Ceremony in the tent at Dieppe Park was fun as always; a good time was had by all. Next year's race will be held during the International Freedom Festival, probably on the last Saturday in June. You should be able to confirm this information next summer by contacting:

Windsor Harbour Commission
Bill Marshall; Windsor Harbour Master
502 Westcourt Place, 251 Goyeau St
Windsor, Ontario N9A 6V2 CANADA

519-258-5741; 519-258-5905 fax
E-mail harbour@mnsi.net

1999 Results (by classes):

• First Across

  1. Shannon; 2000 HP; 101'; 1945; William Hoey, Jr.; Gaelic Tug.
  
  

• 1301+ HP

  
  1. Shannon; 2000 HP; 101'; 1945; William Hoey, Jr.; Gaelic Tug.
  2. Roger Stahl; 3000 HP; 89'; 1949; William Cline; Gaelic Tug.
  
  

• 751-1300 HP

  
  1. Dover; 850 HP; ??'; 1931; Ian McAdam; MacDonald Marine.
  2. Stormont; 1000 HP; 74'; 1955; Joe Chabot; McKeil Marine.
  
  

• 401-750 HP

  
  1. Elmer Dean; 700 HP; ??; ??; Daren Gabriel; Gabriel Marine
  2. Vida-C; 425 HP; 49'; 1960; Butch Mitchell; Cobby Marine.
  
  

• 201-400 HP

  
  1. Julie Anne; 247 HP; 34'; 1937; Don Schmidt; Michigan Marine Salvage.
  2. J W Wescott II; 210 HP; ??'; 1949; Sam Buchanan; J W Wescott.
  
  

• 200 HP and Under

  
  1. Birmco; 180 HP; 42'; 1914; Willie Williams; S&C Transport.
  2. Isabelle; 155 HP; ??'; 1914; Dan Linley; Dan Linley.
  
  

• Tug From Farthest Away

  • Dover; 850 HP; ??'; 1931; Ian McAdam; MacDonald Marine. (from Goderich)
  
  

• Best Dressed Tug

  I missed getting a picture of the Isabelle. A shame, since she won so many prizes.
  • Isabelle; 155 HP; ??'; 1914; Dan Linley; Dan Linley.
  
  

• Smallest HP Tug Finishing Race

  • Isabelle; 155 HP; ??'; 1914; Dan Linley; Dan Linley.
  
  

• Oldest Tug

  • Isabelle; 155 HP; ??'; 1914; Dan Linley; Dan Linley.
  
  

• Hal Carter - Most Seasoned Skipper Award

  • Bill Hoey
  
  

• Judges Appreciation Prize

  • (I seem to have missed writing this down.)