W. O. DECKER (tugboat)
Also known as: Susan Dayton; Russell 1
Why it's listed
Built in 1930 as RUSSELL 1, the W. O. Decker is a small wooden harbor tugboat, 52 feet long, designed for the narrow, winding waters of Newtown Creek between Brooklyn and Queens. Russell & Co. of Long Island City built her for the Newtown Creek Towing Company, where she shifted barges, assembled tows for larger tugs and berthed coastal vessels. She was launched with a steam engine, which a diesel replaced in 1947, along with her original funnel. That change is the only significant alteration to her outward appearance. The nomination argues that she is a rare, largely unaltered wooden tug from the period when New York was the busiest port in the world, and the only wooden New York Harbor tug known to the preparer still afloat in a largely original state. Renamed after the Decker family, who bought her in 1946, she is now kept in working order by the South Street Seaport Museum and regularly operates on the harbor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues she is a rare, largely unaltered wooden tugboat built for New York Harbor, significant under Criterion C in maritime history and naval architecture. Her only major outward change is the replacement of her steam funnel with a diesel stack in 1947. The preparer believes she is the only wooden New York Harbor tug still afloat in a largely original state.
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 96000962, listed September 13, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 207 Front St., Pier No. 16, South Street Seaport Museum, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | September 13, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000962 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1930-1946 |
| Architect / builder | Russell & Co., Long Island City, New York |
| Architectural style | Other: Harbor tugboat |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fully operational and maintained in operating condition by the South Street Seaport Museum; used as a preserved boat exhibit. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | South Street Seaport |
| Coordinates | 40.70540, -74.00276 (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 96000962.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7945853
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.