MARY A. WHALEN (tanker) (Additional Documentation)
Also known as: ex S.T. KIDDOO
Why it's listed
Built in 1938 at Camden, New Jersey, this 172-foot welded-steel tanker was launched as the S.T. Kiddoo for the Ira S. Bushey Co. of Brooklyn and later renamed Mary A. Whalen. She carried gasoline along the Atlantic coast between 1938 and 1958, then was modified to deliver heavier oils such as home heating fuel until 1994. Her cargo took her to terminals on the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, and she also fueled ships in New York Harbor. The vessel retains her original configuration, her alternating in-and-out strake hull plating, and her 1937 Fairbanks Morse reversible diesel engine. A rare bell-and-jingle system supplements the telegraph between wheelhouse and engine room. The wheelhouse, captain's cabin and galley keep many original fittings. She was listed for her construction method and her role in coastal fuel transport. She is now docked at Red Hook and being preserved for educational use.
Significance in brief: The tanker is significant under Criterion C as a rare example of a coastal oil tanker built with welded, lapped-strake steel plating, a method marking the transition from riveted to edge-welded hulls. She also keeps her original diesel engine and a rare 'bell boat' control system. Under Criterion A she represents coastal fuel transportation and harbor lighterage and bunkering in the Northeast.
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 12000831, listed October 3, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, Red Hook, Red Hook |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | October 3, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000831 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1938-1962 |
| Architect / builder | John J. Mathis Yard, Camden, NJ |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Docked at Pier 9B and being preserved for educational use; in active service until 1994. The original engine is missing some parts and awaits repair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.68923, -74.00701 (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 12000831.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q22329587
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.