The Urger, originally named H. J. Dornbos, is a historic canal tugboat that has played a significant role in New York's maritime and canal history. Built in 1901 by Johnson Brothers Shipyard and Boiler Works in Ferrysburg, Michigan, as Yard No. 11, she was initially constructed as a fish tug for Verduin Brothers of Grand Haven, Michigan. As built, the vessel measured 63 feet in length, with a beam of 15 feet and a depth of 8 feet, and had a gross register tonnage of 44. In 1922, the H. J. Dornbos was purchased for service on the New York State Barge Canal system. Over subsequent decades, she underwent several modifications, the most notable being her lengthening to approximately 73 feet 5 inches (22.38 meters), with a beam of 14 feet 9 inches (4.50 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). Her construction features a molded steel frame, deck beams, and riveted plates, reflecting her robust design for canal work. Her gross tonnage was registered at 45 tons. The vessel remained in active service until the 1980s, serving as a vital component of the canal system. In 1991, she was reactivated primarily for educational purposes, aiming to teach school children and the public about the importance of New York’s historic canal system. By 2013, the Urger was recognized as the flagship vessel of the New York State Canal Corporation’s fleet. She was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, underscoring her historical significance. In 2018, the New York State Canal Corporation retired the Urger and placed her in drydock at Waterford, with plans to transfer her to a static exhibit at a visitor center in Montgomery County. As of September 2021, she was towed to Lysander, Onondaga County, for engineering review, indicating ongoing efforts to preserve and potentially repurpose this venerable vessel. The Urger remains an important symbol of the region’s canal heritage.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.