From Saint John’s, Newfoundland, Darren sailed Bertha to the well-known port of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to begin the first refit. It was with Lunenburg’s Industrial Foundry and Engineering Limited, a foundry with over 100 years of maritime experience, that over 10 tons of steel were replaced below the rub rail, new twin bronze propellers were cast, the stern deck was replaced to maintain an uninterrupted deck surface, and modifications were made to the steering to prepare for the journey to her new home in New York City.
For four years, Bertha was docked at Pier 63 in the company of Tug Pegasus, The Lightship Frying Pan, and The John J. Harvey fireboat, and was an active participant in the lively waterfront community of lower Manhattan. During this time, she sailed over 100 trips around NYC, participated as a rescue boat during 9/11 rescue efforts (tender to Tugboat Bertha), traveled up the Hudson River to Catskill, and down river to the Jersey shore several times.
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| Photo by Malcolm Brooks |
