Tugboat Urger will stop today in Lyons

The NYS Corporation's flagship vessel - the historic Tug Urger - was awarded the 'Best Vintage Tug' cup at the Annual Tug Boat Race Competition in New York City.

The historic Tug Urger is a wonderful example of the rich maritime history of New York State and a great ambassador for education along the New York State Canal System.

The Urger is scheduled to travel east from Lockport through to Baldwinsville. The Urger will make stops in five locations, including Lyons, on October 9.

Celebrating more than 100 years of service, the Tug Urger was christened in Michigan on June 13, 1901. Since the creation of the New York State Canal Corporation in 1992, the Tug Urger has served as the official ambassador for the New York State Canal System.

The Urger now serves as the focal point of a program to educate school children and adults about the importance of New York's historic Canal System and the role that inland waterways have played historically, and continue to play, in the lives of people who live along them.

In the spring and fall, the Urger visits communities along the Canal System where students in fourth-grade classes at local schools take field trips to the Tug and participate in 'hands-on' educational sessions. There they learn about the history of the Canals and the role construction of the Erie Canal played in making New York the 'Empire State.'

In September 2001, the Urger was placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

To schedule a visit to your community, call 518.436.2799 or visit

 www.nyscanals.gov

and click on 'Canal Culture.'

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