Steam Tug Hercules

Hi friends, We will be firing up HERCULES on Wednesday, April 4th from 11 am to 4:30 pm, at 2905 Hyde Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94109. If you're in the area, please come down to see the old girl under steam.

Insert plate to repair wasted deck plate where the chain ramp will be installed for our steering chains. The wood ramps held moisture, and severely corroded the steel deck. Park metal worker Channing finished the work today on this port side repair.

Good morning everyone, we will be steaming the HERCULES on Wednesday, September 6th. If you would like to visit, our hours for the park are 9:30am to 5pm. The ship will be open for ranger led tours from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Come on down and see all of the ships machinery, including the main engine operating.

Hi folks, Sorry for the short notice, but we will be steaming up for the public on Wednesday, December 7th, from 9am to 3pm. We will be open, and have ranger led tours available, you'll get to see the main engine turning over, and tour through the entire vessel. Hope some of you can make it down. We are located at the Hyde Street Pier, 2905 Hyde Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94109. For further information, call 415-561-7169

Announced today, steam tug HERCULES has won the Steamship Historical Society Of America's "Tugboat of the Year Award for 2016. Click on the link below to see their announcement. http://sprintout.com/emailmarketer/display.php

Some folks where surprised by the size of our boiler, so I thought I'd post an old picture again. This really shows how large it is, especially with Chief Engineer Harry Morgan standing next to it. The photo was taken in 1987, during restoration. Photo by HABS HAER, from the Library of Congress public website.

Hi everyone, Just wanted to let you all know that we are working on firm dates for our steaming schedule for 2017. We'll also be having a public steaming in December 2016. I'll post the dates as soon as they are firmed up with the volunteer crew. Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for the HERCULES.

The end of tube cleaning

During our US Coast Guard witnessed hydrostatic boiler test two weeks ago.

Cleaning the fireside of our boiler and punching the tubes today.

Update on the upcoming steaming on Wednesday, May 11th. We're sorry to say that the Park Service will be using this opportunity to train personel, both engineering, and park rangers. The ship will not be open for the public during this steaming. We will be having another steamup in June, and one in August that will be open to the public. We will keep you updated on opportunities to visit the ship while steaming. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was planning to come see us next Wednesday.

Steaming Update: The crew will be steaming HERCULES alongside Hyde St. Pier on Wednesday, May 11th. The pier opens at 09:30 am, and the ship will be open to the public during steaming. We should be operating engines some time after noon. Come on down and see the ship alive, and chat with the crew. The pier closes at 5 pm, the address is 2905 Hyde Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94109.

Volunteers attacking the aft deck preparing for new deck oxide red paint. Next will be installing the steering gear.