Luna Settles Into Her New Home
Upon completion, the Luna was delivered to the Mystic Steamship Company of Boston as the first diesel-powered tug in their fleet. All other tugs in the Mystic Steamship fleet -- commercially known as the Boston Tow Boat Company -- were powered by coal and oil-fired boilers and steam engines. The Mystic Steamship Company can trace its roots to the Boston Tow Boat Company, which had been founded by Boston’s maritime executives to assure salvage, icebreaking, and ship towing services in 1854.

The Mystic Steamship Company operated coal-carrying colliers and coal barges to transport coal from railroad piers in New York Harbor, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Newport News. This coal was used as a fuel, and as the raw material to make lamp gas from coal and coke. Later, Boston Towboat was operated by Eastern Enterprises, owners of Boston Gas and various maritime operations, which is active to this day as Eastern Enterprises. (previous • next)