T. B. McCLINTIC
Also known as: Atlantic Iv
Why it's listed
Built in 1932 by Bath Iron Works in Maine, this 60-foot-10-inch riveted steel vessel was designed as a quarantine boarding tug for the U.S. Public Health Service. It carried physicians and inspectors out to incoming ships so they could check for diseases before the ships entered port. Named for Public Health Service officer Thomas B. McClintic, who died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, it was stationed at Boston, Norfolk and Baltimore. In 1962 the City of Wilmington, North Carolina, converted it into the fireboat Atlantic IV. It was auctioned in 1985 and later rehabilitated by private owners, who removed the firefighting gear. Teak decks, mahogany trim, brass portholes and the original steering wheel survive. The nomination describes it as the last known quarantine boarding tug afloat and in operating condition. It is listed for its role in public health history and for its well-preserved 1930s design and construction. It now lies at a Shallotte Point marina.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the vessel is the only boarding tug Bath Iron Works built for the Public Health Service. It is also described as a rare, relatively intact example of its type and the sole known surviving quarantine boarding tug. It is tied to the health and medicine history of ship quarantine inspection and to the quality of its construction.
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 94000532, listed June 3, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Tripp's Marina, Shallotte Point |
|---|---|
| County | Brunswick County |
| Listed | June 3, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000532 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1932 - 1944 |
| Architect / builder | Bath Iron Works, builder |
| Architectural style | no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Health/Medicine |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Docked at a private working marina and undergoing rehabilitation by its owners for private use as a live-aboard; interior is bare of furnishings while preservation work continues. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.91482, -78.37551 (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 94000532.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18155630
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.