Storied history

The W.T. Preston No. 2, built in 1939 at the Lake Union Dry Dock Company. A new ship except for main engines, steering engine, generator reverse engine, donkey and swing engine and propelling wheel, all transferred from W.T. Preston No. 1. The original W.T. Preston, built at Lake Union Shipyard, featured a wood hull. House and deck equipment were moved from the snag boat “Swinomish.” Captain George S. Murch was  Master of W.T. Preston No. 2 until July 1, 1962, when he retired. Murch stated: “I am happy to turn the command of the W.T. Preston back to the Corps of Engineers knowing that I have completed the 80th year of snag boat work.”