Richard Casady wrote:
On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:14:49 -0400, "Ernest Scribbler"
wrote:

"Bob" wrote
I’m not going to play chicken with a tug.”
Words to live by.

Out of curiosity, does anybody know why a boat that tows barges behind it is
called a tugboat, while one that pushes them in front is called a towboat?

Actually ocean going tugs sometimes push. They have special barges
with a notch that matches the bow of the tug.

These are a regular sight on the Seaway, Seaway Control refers to them
as "tugboats" on the radio... This configuration is used for obvious
reasons, think "locks".

Cheers
Marty