When the Barge Canal opened in May 15, 1918, a large steam tug was chartered by the government to tow State boats on the new canal.  The wages were based on a monthly scale for a tweleve-hour workday and included board.  The Captain received $175 per month, Mate $150, First Engineer $150, and Second Engineer $120.  The two fireman and the cook each received $90 per month.  The tug operated night and day, and all the crew, except the cook, worked six hours on and six hours off duty.  Their employer allowed 90 cents per day to feed the crew.

For single footloose men, the life on the canal tug provided just about everything needed except recreation.  There were some who found this in a barroom at each end of the canal.  For the others it was work they knew and liked, and it provided the wages needed to support their family.