O. B Green

Return to Ships of John Gregory

O. B. Green US No. 155041
Year
Built
Last
Year
Built At
Type
Length
Beam
Draft
Gross
Tons
Net
Tons
1881
1911
Chicago, IL
Tug
72.00
16.75
9.00
56.00
28.00
O.B. Green II

Historical Collection of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University
According to the Chicago Tribune, on Wednesday, April 1, 1881 the name and papers of the tug O. B. Green (US No. 18931) were changed to the Commodore. Mr. Green’s new tug is to bear the name of O. B. Green. Hence the change, which was arranged by mutual consent.

The second O. B. Green was built for Oliver B. Green by shipbuilder John Gregory. According to the 1874 Chicago Directory Mr. Green was operating a dry dock which meant he would need tugs to bring in broken ships to repair. In September, 1881 O. B. Green (US No. 155041) was launched.

A highly publicized six mile race took place on 17 June 1882 between two tugs – the John Gregory and the O. B. Green. According to the Milwaukee Journal, both tugs strained themselves and they ran so evenly that neither craft could claim a victory. Except John Gregory, who built both of them.

On 22 June 1882 the Sturgeon Bay Canal Company had nearly completed a telephone line from the canal to the mouth of the bay – a distance of about nine miles – so that the tug O. B. Green, in whichever part of the bay she happens to be, can be signaled without delay when a vessel is sighted that wants a tow through.

Owner History
1881, Sep 23 Enrolled Chicago, IL.
1888-1905 Owned Dunham Towing Company, Chicago.
1907-1908 Owned Great Lakes Towing Company, Cleveland, OH.
1908 Owned Dunham Towing Company, Chicago.
1909 Owned Great Lakes Towing Company, Cleveland.

The O. B. Green was still listed in April, 1914 edition of the Ship Masters’ Association of the Great Lakes Directory. Her owner was the Great Lakes Towing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. Final enrollment surrendered at Chicago on 26 June 1911.

In 1911 dismantled & abandoned, engine to Indiana (US No. 208915).