HERCULES (tugboat)
Also known as: Tugboat HERCULES; HERCULES (tugboat) National Historic Landma
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Why it's listed
Hercules is a steel tugboat, 139 feet 9 inches long with a 26-foot beam, built in 1906-07 at the Camden, New Jersey, shipyard of John H. Dialouge and Son, a firm known for tugs. After her delivery voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco, towing her sister ship Goliah some 6,000 miles, she worked towing lumber rafts from the Columbia River to San Diego. During construction of the Panama Canal she towed canal locks fabricated in San Francisco to the canal zone. In 1941 she was sold to the Western Pacific Railroad and shuttled car floats across San Francisco Bay; her pilot house was raised one level for that work. Her engine room was altered to convert from coal to diesel. The nomination calls her among the best examples of the American towing industry at its height, significant for commerce and industry. She is now part of the fleet of San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park and is considered a candidate for full restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the tug as one of the finest examples of American tugboat design from the height of the towing industry. It towed her sister ship Goliah from New Jersey to San Francisco around the Horn, about 6,000 miles, and later towed canal locks built in San Francisco to the Panama Canal zone. Its significance is stated in the areas of commerce and industry.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75000225, listed January 17, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Maritime Unit, Hyde St. Pier, National Maritime Museum, San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | January 17, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000225 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1906-07 |
| Architect / builder | John H. Dialouge and Son, Camden, New Jersey |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 17, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as deteriorated from lack of active operation, with minor vandalism in the engine, but mechanically capable of operation with minor adjustment. On loan to the State of California with an option to buy, and part of the park's fleet. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.80996, -122.42225 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75000225.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5736409
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.