Gary Elkinton identified the tugboat in last week’s picture as the “Keith,” built in 1939-40 specifically to push heavy fuel barges upriver, through the rapids near the John Day, toward fuel storage tank farms on the shore between The Dalles and Pasco, Washington. Elkinton explained the suppliers thought this would be cheaper than the railroad. Two were built; the other tug was called “Capt. Al James.”

Elkinton identified the “Keith” by the shape and size of its two exhaust stacks. It’s pushing a fuel barge in this photo.