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Section Patrol Craft Photo Archive

J. Alvah Clark (SP 1248)

Tug:

  • Dorothy the first ship built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA was built in 1891 for James Sheffield of Norfolk, VA
  • Delivered 30 April 1891
  • Acquired by the New York Central Railroad Company of New York, New York and renamed New York Central No. 3
  • Acquired by the Joseph M. Clark Co. of Norfolk, VA and renamed J. Alvah Clark
  • Acquired by the Navy 2 July 1917
  • Commissioned USS J. Alvah Clark (SP 1248), 26 October 1917
  • Returned to her owner 29 July 1919
  • Acquired in 1962 by Eva Simpkins and renamed Jesse Jr.
  • After many years of service the tug would eventually return to the yard in 1974 and be dedicated as a permanent exhibit in 1976.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 130 t.
  • Length 90'
  • Beam 17' 3"
  • Draft 6' 9"
  • Speed 8.6 kts.
  • Complement 19
  • Propulsion: One single ended cylinderical tubular type boiler, one 225ihp vertical quadruple expansion 22" stroke, 9¾" x 13½" x 18¾" x 26" cylinder steam engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    J. Alvah Clark 221k Dorothy, on display at Newport News, VA Wikipedia
    Commanding Officers
    01Boatswain Thomas O. Lambdin, USNRF1918 - 1919
    02ENS Charles A. Swindell, USNRF1919
    Courtesy Joe Radigan and Wolfgang Hechler
    View the J. Alvah Clark (SP 1248)
    DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
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