LUNA (tugboat)
Why it's listed
Launched in 1930, Luna is a 97-foot wooden tugboat that worked Boston Harbor for 41 years. Designed by the John G. Alden Co. and built by M. M. Davis & Sons in Maryland for the Mystic Steamship Co., she was operated by the Boston Tow Boat Company. Her oak and yellow pine hull follows the classic steam-tug form, with an elliptical stern and straight stem. Beneath that look is a diesel-electric drive controlled from the bridge, which made her easier to maneuver and let her run with a smaller crew. She was the first tug of this type built for a commercial tug company and one of the last wooden-hulled tugs built. Her work included docking ships, towing the U.S.S. Constitution, fighting fires, rescue work and wartime duty at Boston-area naval yards. Retired in 1971, she has been under restoration by volunteers since 1979 as a living museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Luna combined a traditional wooden tug appearance with the most innovative diesel-electric drive of her time, marking a transition in tugboat design. She was the first diesel-electric tug built for a commercial tug company and one of the last wooden-hulled tugs built. Her 41 years of service are tied to Boston Harbor's maritime history. The form cites Criteria A and C.
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 83004099, listed October 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NDC Pier, Charles River, Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | October 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004099 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1930 (specific date); 1900- |
| Architect / builder | M. M. Davis & Sons/John G. Alden Co. |
| Architectural style | Classic wood harbor tugboat with diesel-electric drive |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Military, Engineering, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, Local |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 11, 1989 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Tied up at Pier 10 in 1983 and being restored as a living museum; a captain and crew live aboard. Exterior and interior are basically unaltered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.38642, -71.04172 (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 83004099.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6703505
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.