De Pan

Design 774 Columbia Launch

This utility launch was designed and built for WCBS, the key station of the Columbia Broadcasting Company of New York. She was built by the Freeport Point Shipyard of Freeport, New York and launched in 1948. The boat was designed to carry personnel and equipment from the Westchester mainland to Columbia Island off of New Rochelle, New York, site of the WCBS transmitter.


She was constructed of wood but with steel plates forward to break the light ice that might have been encountered in Long Island Sound. She was powered by a single 200 hp General Motors diesel which would propel her to a speed of 11 knots. Equipment included a ship-to-shore radio and 500 gallons of fresh water to supply the island.


She was extremely robust, seaworthy and spacious. She was penned by the very talented Al Mason.



Here are the plans.