Hmmmm. Some time ago, I researched the history of the first US presidential yacht -- called Dispatch, dating from the late 19th century. Eventual disposition was unclear. Wish we had a view of the sheerline, or any other shot. Surely not -- but?
Good Grief, people!!!! This is NOT Photography 101. The person who shot the pics did a great -- and seemingly thankless -- job bringing us something amazing to the point of being surreal. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the site and wish to thank the photographer. Mark M's comments re this being a salvage tug may well be right on -- I do not currently have access to my 1944-45 Janes Fighting Ships copy to help. I initially guessed subchaser because of the wooden hull and the fact the ship does not especially resemble a minesweeper (other common wood-hull vessel). If it is steam powered, wonder if the steam plant is still there(?) Thanks again to the photog for fascinating stuff. The vocal critics should stick to flower arranging and learn to say "thank you."
Fast Eddie -- I am amazed! Obviously, it was a conspiracy by space aliens, Big Oil, George Bush and Michael Jackson.
The comment above re the cost of eliminating asbestos, PCBs, fuel, lube oils and other nasty things often makes the cost of scrapping a negative proposition.
Disagree with Dirk, above. These ships do not seem to be in a scrap yard. They have been abandoned for so long that the hulls are literally rotted through. A scrapper would have yanked those anchors immediately.; a choice chunk of #1 Heavy Melting scrap is gold to a scrapper -- those anchors and much of the other visible scrap is hardly "beyond salvage". Scrappers don't wait until a sea chest carries away and the ship sinks at its mooring to cut things up. If these photos were taken in the Falklands or the Aleutians I could understand. New York???? Amazing!
Would say it is (was) a subchaser, as it appears to have a mostly wood hull. PCs and the similar PCERs has a fully-welded steel hull, but many similar features. What amazes me about this whole site is that surely these vessels had some scrap value. Considering that most New Yorkers would sell their mothers for three cents a pound, I wonder why they didn't peddle these things? Agree this vessel appears restorable, but cost would be far higher than most would imagine (been there -- done that. A New Yorker stole the T-shirt) The fact that even the logs and publications were left in place is almost surreal...