One of the most unique pieces of equipment owned by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Region III, was the Tennessee, a tugboat used to take equipment by barge out to the islands spread through Watts Bar. TWRA said goodbye to the Tennessee after 30 years of service, this past week.
The Tennessee’s first job was in South Pittsburgh, where it was named Sharon and used to ferry cars across the Tennessee River. TWRA acquired the tugboat in 1981 and through the years it carried many employees and loads to and from the islands. TWRA employees also used the Tennessee to provide wildlife tours along Watts Bar. The Tennessee had only a few Captains in its time with the state. Marc Lipner, Rob Klippel and Jared Coxey all piloted the tugboat. However, Mr. Ed Collier was the primary pilot. Mr. Collier actually piloted the tug from South Pittsburgh after its purchase, a journey that lasted several days. After Mr. Collier’s retirement, the tug was primarily piloted by Mr. David McKissack.
In 2011 TWRA decided the Tennessee, now up in age, needed refurbished. “It was old and rickety. With no modern technology, the tugboat took a lot of space and time just to turn around”, said Marc Lipner, TWRA WMA coordinator. “It was so loud in the pilot house that workers took turns sitting in the house with earplugs so no one person would have to endure the entire trip. It took an entire day for the tugboat to take the barge from Kingston Base down to the dam” continued Lipner. “Regardless, workers loved the tugboat”. What a unique experience to ride a tugboat and barge with machinery to an island for work.
In 2011, the rusty barge was moved to Muscle Shoal, Al., where it could be refurbished. The Tennessee stayed at Kingston Base and while resting along the shore, the rusty under-skin finally gave and the tugboat sank. It took two dozers and a track hoe to pull the tugboat on shore where it sat for another year. TWRA lamented over what to do with the tugboat. Repairs were costly and use was contemplated. When the tugboat was first purchased, waterfowl numbers were higher along Watts Bar and more management was needed on the islands for waterfowl. With an increase in human dwellings, waterfowl numbers declined, along with a need for management. Furthermore, the Tennessee Valley Authority has provided limited transport for TWRA during the growing season. This too alleviated the need for a new tug.
Therefore in late 2011, TWRA decided to let the Tennessee go. How do you sell a tugboat? Mr. Lipner was unsure too. “We had to ask, how to sell the tug. The sale was managed through the State’s General Services and eventually advertised through a web site” he said. Lamar Concrete, Inc. a company from Purvis, Mississippi, purchased the Tennessee and cut the tugboat into pieces for shipment to its new home this past week. Larmar plans on salvaging the tugboat and extending the pilot house. For more information on TWRA visit TNwildlife.org.