Transportation
through water has been a significant part of human history. In fact, most
ancient civilizations settled near rivers because they could use the water in
irrigating their crops, transporting harvests, and getting to other places
quicker than on foot.
One
of the milestones in water transportation development is steam technology,
which made its way into the world in the late 1700's. By the early 1800's,
riverboats have been fitted with steam engines that made them more efficient.
In
March 1802, William Symington of Scotland made his own steam engine and
registered a patent for it. Eventually, he fitted it into his paddlewheel boat
and named her Charlotte Dundas – the world's first tugboat.
Although
tugboats were originally used as a passenger
ship, they became boats that towed ships in and out of harbors and into the
open sea. Then, World War I and II brought a surge in the production and demand
for tugboats as they were utilized for war efforts. Such vessels had upgrades
in design, propulsion, communication, and navigation systems.
To
this very day, tugboats are still major players in the maritime industry with
their impressive towing power and hauling capabilities. Barges and large ships
may look great and mighty as they break through seawater and strong waves, but
at the end of the day, it's the small yet dependable tugboat that safely pulls
them home.
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