But when he came at last to the upper limit of the tidal reach he found in this deep, slack water new-driven piling and freshly strung boom-sticks and acres of logs confined therein; also a squat motor tugboat and certain lesser craft moored to these timbers.
"The Hidden Places"
Bertrand W. Sinclair
Many of the old-time sailing ships have been shorn of their towering masts, robbed of their canvas, and made into ignoble barges which, loaded with coal, are towed along by some fuming, fussing tugboat-as Samson shorn of his locks was made to bear the burdens of the Philistines.
"American Merchant Ships and Sailors"
Willis J. Abbot
First, however, I must build a steam tugboat to tow my schooner in and out over Humboldt Bar.
"The Valley of the Giants"
Peter B. Kyne