For almost three more decades,  the tugboat business continued to flourish in the lower Puget Sound region, but as the success of small tug businesses went hand in hand with that of small lumbering, it was clear that the writing was on the wall. The times were changing.

Homes were built along the waterfront areas where tall trees once stood. Timber supplies dwindled. There were improvements in logging machinery and highways were built linking even the most remote logging camps with the major ports.

In 1944, SAND MAN once again received a new motor -- a 100 hp D-13000 Caterpillar diesel, which still powers the tug to this day.

After WW2, there was one more surge of major lumbering activity in the lower Puget Sound. Soon after, tug boating as a viable business in Olympia came to an end. As other tugs were sold off and moved from the area, only SAND MAN, the last of her kind, was to stay.

SAND MAN seen here in 1991 tied up at Percival Landing. The Washington State Capitol can be seen in the background. (Carl Cook)

In 1953, Delta Smyth sold his Capitol City Towing Company to Foss of Tacoma, and SAND MAN to Fred Chadwick. Many stories are recounted about Fred's tenure, including the fact that he would go to the auto dealers in town and ask for their drained motor oil to fuel the boat. The black smoke that could always be seen from SAND MAN's stack became sort of a trademark for the boat. There was no EPA back then!

Chadwick continued to operate the tug until 1964 when Franz Schlottmann took the wheel. Schlottman operated SANDMAN as a tow boat until his retirement in 1985. When Schlottman retired, so did SAND MAN. Her days as a working tug were over.

In 1987, Franz sold the boat to Bob Powell. He said the money Powell paid for the tug wasn't important (it wasn't much), he just wanted SAND MAN to go to someone who had a real love for the boat, would try to restore her, and would keep her in Olympia.

Powell had no tugboat experience, but for the next 10 years, poured every extra dollar he had into the boat. He hauled her out for bottom work (seen here in 1990), replaced the horn timber, frames and planking in her stern, and put in 40+ frames and planking forward as well.

Powell also listened to the advice of old salts in the area, and heard many, many stories of life in Old Olympia.

(The tug on the grid at Franz Schlottmann's  (Robert Powell)

The late maritime historian and Olympia resident, Gordon Newell loved to repeat the old saw, "A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into." Bob Powell found out just how true those words are. Love alone won't keep an old tug afloat, let alone restore her to her former glory.

In June, 1997, Powell turned the keys over to the newly formed, non-profit Sand Man Foundation. This community based organization has been raising funds for the restoration, maintenance and the operation of SAND MAN as a floating museum. The boat also serves as an ambassador for the City of Olympia at maritime events on Puget Sound. At the time of this writing, the tug is about 90% restored and is currently on display and open to the public at Olympia's Percival Landing. Hours are posted elsewhere on this website.

The Board of Directors and workers are all volunteers, there is no paid staff. Volunteers are  people like us -- folks that have a love for history, Puget Sound, and for an old workhorse tug named SAND MAN.

Your donation will go a long way towards insuring that SAND MAN will either be out on the Sound representing the Capitol City, or tied up at Percival Landing and open to the public -- a reminder of our great maritime heritage.

The SAND MAN is listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels and is designated as a City of Olympia Historical Site.

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Sources for historical information: Bob Powell; Franz Schlottmann; H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (Gordon Newell); Pacific Tugboats (Gordon Newell); Ships of the Inland Sea (Gordon Newell). Efforts have been made to filter oral histories from former crew and old salts with verifiable data. 

This page was written, constructed and is © copyright 1997, 2003, Carl Cook. (Updated 4/06). All rights reserved. The writer is solely responsible for any errors or omissions. Please direct corrections and cuss words at him.  clcook@olywa.net