Theodore Too facts for kids
Theodore Too next to the Queen Mary 2 in the port of Halifax, September 25, 2004.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Canada |
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| Name | Theodore Too |
| Builder | Snyder's Shipyard, Dayspring, Nova Scotia |
| Launched | April 19, 2000 |
| Identification |
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| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tour boat |
| Tonnage | 105 tons |
| Length | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Beam | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Draft | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Propulsion | 400-horsepower 300 kilowatt CAT 3406 turbocharged diesel engine. |
Theodore Too is a special boat that looks just like the famous TV character, Theodore Tugboat. It's a large, real-life version of the friendly tugboat. This boat was built in Dayspring, Nova Scotia in the year 2000. Today, you can find Theodore Too in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
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The Story of Theodore Too
Theodore Too was created by a company called Cochran Entertainment, Inc. Andrew Cochran, who made the Theodore Tugboat TV show, used to tell his son bedtime stories. These stories were about boats in a big harbor and how they talked to each other. This idea later became the popular TV series.
Why Theodore Too Was Built
Because Theodore the tugboat was so popular, the company decided to build a real-life version of him. This big boat was made to help promote the TV show. It also helped teach people about water safety. It's quite unique because it's a full-size boat that looks exactly like a small model used for filming. You can see the original small model at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.
Building and First Journeys
Theodore Too was built at Snyder's Shipyard in Dayspring, Nova Scotia. It was launched into the water on April 19, 2000. After some tests near Lunenburg, the boat first arrived in Halifax on May 6, 2000.
This ocean-going boat went on a big tour. It visited 50 cities along the eastern coast of the United States, going all the way to Tampa Bay. Then, it traveled back through the Great Lakes to Chicago.
Theodore's Important Role
During its tours, Theodore Too became an "Ambassador" for the U.S. National Safe Boating Council. This means it helped spread messages about staying safe on the water. It also became a mascot for the U.S. Coast Guard. It took part in many events with large, historic sailing ships.
For most of its time touring, Theodore Too had a crew of three people. Captain Bill Stewart, an experienced tugboat captain, led the crew.
New Owners and New Purpose
After Cochran Entertainment closed down, a tour boat company in Halifax called Murphys on the Water bought Theodore Too. For a while, the boat gave tours of Halifax Harbour during the summer. It operated from the Cable Wharf in downtown Halifax.
In 2020, the company announced plans to sell Theodore Too. In March 2021, the boat was sold to McKeil Marine. This company is located in Port Dover, Ontario. Now, Theodore Too will be used to attract kids and travel the Great Lakes. Its new job is to help promote careers in the marine industries. Port Dover will be its summer home.
What Theodore Too Is Like
Theodore Too was designed by Fred Allen and Marius Lengkeek. It was built at Snyder's Shipyard in Dayspring, Nova Scotia. This shipyard is located on the LaHave River, not far from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
How It's Built
The main body of the boat, called the hull, and the control room, called the wheelhouse, are made completely of wood. Its "hat" and smokestack are made from a material called fiberglass.
The boat has a "face" on its wheelhouse. It used to have big, realistic eyes that could move, but they don't work anymore. Theodore Too has many details that look like a real tugboat, such as winches and towing posts called bitts. However, it works as a tour boat, not a real tug boat that pulls other ships.
Images for kids
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Theodore Too greets cruise ship Norwegian Sea at Halifax Harbour, 2003
