1938 Tug CHANCELLOR
77 ft long overall and built by Ira S. Bushey of Brooklyn , New York.
On May 2nd of 2002 we took possession of this Historic Landmark vessel, having been donated by the McHugh family, and started the trip from Fulton NY to Kingston. We headed south through the Oswego Canal across Lake Oneida into the Erie Canal to Waterford, from Waterford to Kingston under her own power. With John McHugh and Capt. Steve Wonder at the helm.
The CHANCELLOR is still powered by her original Fairbanks Morse 575 hp model 37D14 direct reversible 2 stroke diesel engine. (The engine is connected directly to the propeller without a transmission or clutch)
The pilothouse is hydraulically controlled to a raised position for visibility over barges or a lowered position for going under bridges.
Crew accommodations consist of a galley, head, shower locker, and four double bunk staterooms.
The CHANCELLOR plied waters of the lower Hudson as well as the entire State Canal System and the Great Lakes.
She was built and operated by Bushey and Sons as the CHANCELLOR until 1962, when she was sold to Martin Kehoe who changed her name to the JAMES J. KEHOE and operated her into the late 70's. She was then purchased by the Kosnac family, who operated her out of Staten Island, and returned her name to the CHANCELLOR.
John and Theresa McHugh, descendants of tug operators Frank and Ross Coyne of Syracuse, purchased the tug in 1988. The McHugh's family run business has a long history associated with both the Erie Barge Canal and it's predecessor, the Erie Canal. Their great grandfather, Captain William C. Clark, of Constantia, New York was the Canal's chief press agent and boatman's representative, up to the inception of the Erie Barge Canal. In addition, their great uncle George Clark helped develop a Whipple-tree (device to keep towing mules abreast) Their grandfather Frank L. Coyne was a hoggee on the old Erie Canal.
John And Theresa McHugh have entrusted us with their vessel. We take seriously the stewardship of the Chancellor, and well realize that we are not only preserving a historic Bushey tug, but helping to keep alive an important piece of a true towboat family's history as well.