Capt. Herbert V. Schreiner, operator of the Joliet Harbor Tug Service, has just placed in service his new 80-foot towboat the MV John Alexa, built by Grafton Boat Co., Inc., Grafton, Ill. Captain Schreiner, a well-known Illinois River pilot, operates a harbor switching and fleeting service in the Joliet-Lemont area.
His new craft is the largest vessel yet built by Grafton Boat Co., Inc. Two Caterpillar D-353 Series E turbocharged and aftercooled engines, developing a total of 850-hp, turn 58-inch diameter, four-blade Kahlenberg propellers. The hull, measuring 80 feet by 24 feet by 8 feet, is built of 3/8-inch plate with 1/2-inch plate over the propellers. Having double chine construction and very steep deadrise, the craft has exceptional maneuverability and develops a high thrust for the installed horsepower.
The retractable pilothouse design, essential on the upper Illinois River, gives the operator a 23-foot eye level when in its raised position, with the advantages of only 15-foot-overall height when retracted. A very roomy pilothouse is mounted atop a Joyce 10-foot-stroke hydraulic ram and is provided with doors and stairs on both sides allowing access to the pilothouse when in any position of elevation. Catwalks on either side allow ready access to the 14-inch, 25-amp. Carlisle and Finch carbon-arc searchlights, and the large forward-sloping Humco windshield opens for easy communication with the deck. Engine instruments are installed above the windshield. Steering is controlled by dual sets of levers for the separate followup steering and flanking systems. Morse controls operate the governors, throttles and pilothouse lift. Captain Schreiner has installed a Kaar ten-channel VHF radio, Bogen public-address system and an intercom system. The pilothouse is heated electrically and is heavily insulated throughout.
On the main deck forward are two 5-hp Beebe remote-controlled electric barge winches operable from the pilothouse or the deck. The 12-foot-high towknees are faced with B. J. Marine Products 'Pushnee'. Roller chocks, button chocks and 36-inch cast-steel kevels complete the deck outfit.
The spacious deckhouse accommodates an owner's cabin forward of the engine room with a galley, washrooms and three staterooms aft.
The upper engine room provides a light and air space above the two main engines with double doors and a chain hoist trolley athwartship. Forward in the engine room are found two Kohler Model 30R067 120/208 volt 3-phase diesel generators. The main engines drive two Vickers steering pumps while an emergency electric pump is available for standby use. There are two Curtiss 12-cfm air compressors: one electric and one engine driven, and an air receiver which supplies the pilothouse lift, windshield wiper, air horn and engine starting. A 5-hp Jacuzzi centrifugal bilge and fire pump is installed.
In a watertight compartment abaft the engine room are installed two freshwater tanks, two Jacuzzi pressure water-pump sets, Cooper split-roller shaft bearings and hot-water heater.
Thirteen thousand gallons of fuel oil, 1,800 gallons of potable water and 175 gallons of lube oil are carried.
On the maiden voyage from Grafton to Joliet, the John Alexa pushed a 1,400-ton tow of phosphate rock at a speed of 7 1/2 mph over the bottom. Making up the delivery crew in addition to Captain Schreiner were: Mrs. Mary Lou Schreiner, engineer Paul Vitali, deckhand Ray Nofftz, and Timothy Graul, designer of the John Alexa.
Grafton Boat Co., Inc., under President Edward Fry, has expanded facilities over 50 percent in the last year and is presently building LCM-6's for the U.S. Navy, crewboats for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and workboats for commercial interests.
Construction of the towboat was under the direction of vice-president-manufacturing, M. E. Thompson, shift superintendents Robert Kappler and Robert Driver, and the Grafton production force.
The retractable pilothouse on the John Alexa gives the pilot a 23-foot eye level when raised and only a 15-foot overall height when retracted.