Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, today announced the transfer of the historic Tugboat Buffalo to the Town of Waterford, which plans to restore the vessel to full operational condition and turn it into a floating historical exhibit and ambassador of the Canal System. Director Mantello officially transferred the keys to the vessel to the Town at a ceremony today along the Canal at the Waterford Visitor Center.

“We are pleased and excited to officially transfer ownership of the Buffalo to the Town of Waterford, and partner with them in their efforts to bring this magnificent vessel back to her former glory,” Mantello said. “This collaboration is a wonderful example of how preservation efforts can succeed through the hard work and dedication of volunteer groups, and the vision of local governments.”

Waterford Town Supervisor John E. Lawler said, “We are happy to be moving forward with this great project, and thankful that our dedicated volunteers who have given so much of their heart and soul of the project can resume their work. Although it may be a bit unusual for a Town to own a tugboat, we look forward to it and are happy to assume stewardship of this remarkable and storied piece of our maritime heritage.”

The Tug Buffalo was built in 1923 for service as a maintenance vessel on the Barge Canal. The vessel was purchased by a private interest from the State of New York in the fifties, and remained in commercial service well into the nineties. In 1996, the Buffalo was donated back to the Canal Corporation for purposes of restoration. Due to a lack of resources, the restoration work was never completed and the vessel remained at the Waterford dry dock for several years. In 2000, Canal Corporation employees performed preliminary work to drain and repair leaks on the vessel which led to interest from local volunteers in fully restoring the Tug. At that time, the Canal Corporation entered into a permit with the Town of Waterford to perform additional work on the vessel.

Thanks to the assistance of former owner Morris Reals, the restored tugboat was placed back in operating condition in 2002. During that year’s tugboat parade, cooling water mixed with lubricating oil inside the engine, suggesting much more extensive engine work needed to be performed. Several engine surveys were completed in 2003 and 2004. Due to the expense of restoring the engine, the Town of Waterford sought a more permanent interest in the vessel.

In February 2005 the Canal Corporation Board authorized the transfer of the Buffalo to the Town of Waterford, pending approval by the State Historic Preservation Office. That approval has been obtained, paving the way for final transfer of the vessel. Whitworth Marine Services, a company specializing in antique marine diesel engines, is working for the Town of Waterford on completing the engine restoration.

J. Bert Mahoney, Mayor of the Village of Waterford, said, “We have a great waterfront tradition in the country’s oldest incorporated village, one that always combined industry with pleasure. Today we are able to preserve some of that industrial tradition, through the hard work of the Buffalo volunteers and the vision and cooperation demonstrated by both the Town and the Canal Corporation.”

Tom Ryan, President of the State Council on Waterways, said “We congratulate Waterford as they embark on a great project, and recognize the wonderful work the volunteers have already done over the years. We look forward to seeing the Buffalo ply the waters of New York State once again.”

Brad Utter, Director of the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, said, “Tugboats are as much a part of Waterford’s heritage as anything else. We are always happy to see examples of this community’s commitment to preserving its rich history.” Captain Bill Curry, President of the Waterford Maritime Historical Society, said, “After New York Harbor, Waterford was considered the tugboat capital of New York State. This great tradition continues today with projects like the Buffalo and Chancellor. We look forward to working with the Town of Waterford and the Tug Buffalo group, and will assist in any way we can.”

The Buffalo’s diesel engine is a 1935 6-cylinder, 200 horsepower Cooper Bessemer, installed in 1957 to replace the tugboat’s original steam plant. The engine was originally acquired by the State of New York for use in the Department of Public Works tugboat Queen City. This first generation diesel technology is very similar to the steam engine technology which had been employed up to that point.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force will conduct an outreach campaign to gather input and ideas, and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations will be delivered in a report to the Governor by December 2005.