For over 160 years, McAllister Towing has anchored American sea trade. James McAllister founded the firm in 1864 with a single boat. Today, five generations of family leadership run the business. As a result, it has grown into one of the largest towing companies in North America.
The firm operates over 75 tugboats, ferries, and barges. Furthermore, McAllister Towing assists ships across 17 major East Coast ports. Their work spans from Maine down to Puerto Rico.
A Legacy of Maritime Strength
McAllister Towing adapts constantly to modern global trade. Consequently, as cargo ships grew larger, the firm upgraded its fleet. They added modern engines to give their tugs greater power and safety.
Key highlights of their work include:
- Modern Z-Drive Tech: First, McAllister pioneered modern tractor tugs. These ships use 360-degree drives to move easily in tight spaces.
- High Horsepower: In addition, their tugboats offer up to 7,000 horsepower. Therefore, they can pull massive cargo ships safely.
- Busy Harbor Work: For example, in busy ports like Philadelphia, McAllister tugs work daily along the Delaware River.
- Emergency Response: Furthermore, their vessels carry strong fire pumps and gear for ocean rescues.
Handcrafted Tugboat Quarterboards
At Designs & Signs, LLC, our shop crafts custom tugboat quarterboards for historical fleets. Hard-working tugs need signs that match their company strength and classic style.
We recently built two 10ft x 15in mahogany tugboat quarterboards for the Robert E. McAllister. This hard-working tractor tug operates out of Philadelphia. Our team builds these signs to handle daily commercial work:
- Solid Mahogany Wood: First, we select thick mahogany boards that resist water damage.
- Deep Carved Letters: Next, we carve letters deep into the wood. As a result, the names stay clear from far away.
- 23-Karat Gold Leaf: Afterwards, we press real 23k gold leaf into the letters by hand. Therefore, the gold shines bright and never turns dull.
- Clear Marine Varnish: Finally, we apply clear marine varnish to shield the wood from sun and salt water.
Order Custom Boat Name Boards Today
We make custom tugboat quarterboards, yacht nameplates, and home signs. Specifically, we build every sign to fit your exact needs.
Call Designs & Signs today at (410) 798-5115 or email [email protected] to get a quote on custom tugboat quarterboards.
To learn more about their fleet, visit the official McAllister Towing website.