1972 Press Photo World's Most Powerful Tugboat at Halter Marine Services, Inc.

The worldE™s most powerful tugboat slips down the ways at Halter Marine Services Inc., 19501 Chef Menteur Hwy., this week. This is the largest tug ever built in the United States. The launching also marked the first time in the country that a vessel was released from its cradle by explosives, which cut one-by-12-inch steel holding straps. The huge tugboat, which is powered by two 7,500 horsepower diesel engines, is 154 feet long. The vessel was built for Litton Industries Erie Marine Division and will be working in the Great Lakes pushing a 1,000-foot ore barge.

Photo is dated 1972.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.