The Derrick Barge was built in 1925 for dredging, lock repair and lifting heavy boats on the Barge Canal system. Power came from a steam boiler engine manufactured by the Ames Ironworks company of Oswego. The Barge's long, triangulated derrick was capable of lifting 150 tons.

Following 60 years of service, the Barge was retired and donated to the Museum in 1984 by the New York State Department of Transportation. Shortly after its arrival in Oswego in January 1985, it sank in a severe winter storm. The story of its rescue under the direction of Lance Knapp is told in a series of black & white photographs in the exhibit gallery. Mr. Knapp, a former U.S. Navy search & rescue diver, is also the captain of the LT-5 tugboat.

The Barge was rechristened the "Lance Knapp" at its reopening dedication ceremony in 1990.

A marvelous mix of gears helped move the derrick about when the Barge was in operation. These great iron objects can still be seen bolted into the Barge's wooden and iron superstructure.

Capstans are heavy metal forms used to wind nautical rope around - in this way boats of all sizes are "tethered" to the side of a pier. Both capstans pictured here are on the Barge, the one at right bolted to its side.