Ontario's Historical Plaques 


Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques


2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019


 To find out all about me, you can visit the Home Page 


Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone
in Landscape mode (Horizontal)



The Alligator Tug

The Alligator Tug

Photos by contributor Wayne Adam
with special thanks to the staff at the Norfolk County offices - Posted September, 2010

The Alligator Tug

 

The Alligator Tug

Plaque Location

The County of Norfolk
In Simcoe, inside the brick building south of
Argyle Street and Norfolk Golf
near the Alligator Tug W.D. Stalker
with access available during Alligator Tug events


Coordinates: N 42 50.260 W 80 18.020

Map

Click here for a larger map

Plaque Text

By the late 19th century, Ontario's lumber industry had harvested much of the timber from along its waterways. As lumbering moved further inland, it became increasingly difficult and expensive to move timber. The Alligator or Steam Warping Tug was invented by Joe Ceburn West to tow log booms cheaply and efficiently. The amphibious Alligator was driven by paddle wheels and used a winch to tow log booms and to pull itself over land from lake to lake. In 1889, West began manufacturing the tug in partnership with James Peachey and their Simcoe foundry quickly became the major producer of Alligators. By 1932, when they stopped manufacturing the tug, over 230 Alligators had been built. The lumber industry used the Alligator Tug throughout North America for many years.

More
Information

More
Boating

More
Simcoe Plaques




Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted February 24, 2010
The plaque is located inside the Alligator Interpretive Centre (the brick building beside the boat). The plaque sent out has a spelling error and it was decided not to put it back up until it is fixed.




Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click .

Thanks
Alan L Brown
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click .