Charlotte Spangenberger: A Life on the Hudson

Storied Tugboat Captain Dies at 102

By [Author's Name]

Charlotte Spangenberger, the last of the captains who piloted the coal-powered tugboats of the Cornell Steamboat Company, has died at the age of 102. Spangenberger was born in 1919 and grew up along the Hudson River. She began working on the tugs as a teenager, and eventually became one of the company's most experienced and respected captains.

During her career, Spangenberger witnessed the decline of the coal-powered tugboat industry. In the early 20th century, tugs were essential for moving goods and people up and down the Hudson River. But by the mid-20th century, diesel-powered tugs had largely replaced coal-powered tugs.

Despite the changes in the industry, Spangenberger remained a passionate advocate for the coal-powered tugboats. She was a founding member of the Hudson River Tugboat Museum, and she often gave lectures about the history of the industry.

Spangenberger's death marks the end of an era. She was the last of a generation of tugboat captains who witnessed the transformation of the Hudson River.