Is (tugboat) towing simply a matter of horsepower?

Question

Or to rephrase, could any ship with enough horsepower tow a much larger ship?

Answer 1

Towing is not only a matter of horse power, but also, displacement and running gear configuration of the towing vessel, and the tow. The Tug that moved the aircraft carrier Intrepid in New York was 132 ft long,38 ft wide, 19ft deep, with six thousand horsepower, and Kort Nozzles. The Intrepid is 872ft long, 147ft wide, drawing 28.5 ft, and when in service had 150,000hp. Most ships are in excess of 30,000hp

Answer 2

Size is not important but engine power is and another vital component is propeller size and pitch.

Answer 3

i assume so. apparently, size doesn't matter. :)

Answer 4

Ethan, you have an excellent answer from a tug captain.

To answer your rephrased question, not really. In WWII several damaged carriers were towed (with great difficulty and badly) by cruisers which had 50,000 hp but did not have propellers that were built for the additional load. As soon as a salvage tug, which was made for the purpose showed up, the cruisers relinquished gladly their tows.

For an exciting book about a salvage tug, I suggest you read "Gray Seas Under" by Farley Mowatt. It tells the story of the Foundation Franklin, working out of Halifax, NS. You can see pictures of the tug at the URL shown below.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 5

You have this answer already, but what makes a tug work is propeller size and pitch. It is made for pushing and pulling. If you can find it online, take a look at a prop from a tug, large and relatively flat. Vs. one from a speed boat, the blades will have a very sharp angle (pitch)