PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- MEDIA ADVISORY --
WHEN: Saturday, October 19, 2002
Leaving Pier 40 at 6 a.m. to travel up the Delaware River to
Bristol, PA for the Bristol Day festivities that run from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Pier 40
Columbus Blvd and Christian Street
Philadelphia, PA
Town Wharf
Mill Street
Bristol, PA
WHAT: The tug boat JUPITER is celebrating its 100th birthday by
taking a trip up the Delaware River to participate in
Bristol Day. The boat will be open for guided tours throughout
the day.
BACKGROUND: The tug JUPITER was built in the Philadelphia shipyard of Neafie and Levy in 1902. From 1902 to 1939, she worked for the Sunoco company towing fuel ships and barges. In 1939, Independent Pier Company of Philadelphia bought the tug and named her JUPITER. She worked along the Delaware docking ships, towing barges and traveling the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. JUPITER worked with the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World War II and was the first tug to catch the lines of the USS NEW JERSEY during her launching.
JUPITER continued working in Philadelphia until 1980 when she was sold to the Eastern Towing Company of Boston. In 1989, the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and maintaining historical vessels, bought the tug and returned her to Philadelphia. Currently she takes part in educational programs, festivals and boat parades. JUPITER is also a functioning tug, helping the tall ship GAZELA, which is also maintained by the volunteers of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. Children may remember her as part of the group of ships that welcomed the tug boat THEODORE when it came to Philadelphia.
JUPITER is maintained and operated by a volunteer group of active and retired tugboat professionals and enthusiasts. New volunteers are always welcome.