Hercules

Main Page

Behind the Scenes

Gallery

This article is about the character. You may be looking for the cut episode or the real tug.

"I know all about your game, Zorran. Beat it, and take your driftwood with you."

— Hercules sends the Z-Stacks packing, Regatta

Hercules the Ocean-Going Tug
Background Information
First appearance	Sunshine (TUGS)
Last appearance	Bigg Freeze (TUGS)
Voice Actors
Voice actors	Seán Barrett (UK) Alan Oppenheimer (USA: LOST DUB) Sukekiyo Kameyama (Japan) Elise Langenoja (Finland) Paul Dobson (Salty's Lighthouse)
Overview
Name	Hercules
Gender	Male
Nationality	British (Voice) American (Design)
Relative(s)	Ten Cents (brother; early drafts)
Technical Details
Vessel	Tugboat
Type	Ocean Tug
Power type	Steam
Fuel type	Coal
Number	6
Company	Star Tug and Marine
Owner(s)	Captain Star

Hercules is an ocean-going tug. Due to having many advantages over the harbour and railway tugs, he is given the most important and dangerous jobs in his fleet. He is the sixth tug in the Star Fleet.

Biography

TUGS

Hercules is used for large-scale operations and important contracts. During periods of bad weather, he is out at sea answering distress calls, and is often sent out to escort large vessels into the port. He is often considered to be one of the fleet's main leaders, and is often placed in charge of large operations. Since he is usually out at sea and not in Bigg City Port, he is not seen very often and has had little impact on the antics of the other tugs, including those from his own fleet.

On Regatta day, Hercules appeared out of nowhere and scared Zorran into leaving his fleet alone. He participated in the regatta with the other Star Tugs. Although he was not towing a decorated barge, Hercules was still among everyone who had won a prize.

He also towed the naval tramper Kraka-Toa for a final time from the base up the coast to the Oil Yard. Just as he was about to leave, however, Bluenose arrived and demanded he stay until he has finished inspecting. Hercules completely disregarded Bluenose's orders as he had finished his job and didn't need to wait.

Hercules was the tug to track down Johnny Cuba when he smuggled into the Bigg City Port bounds, though he congratulated Zebedee on being the one to turn him in.

As winter began early, Hercules was the only Star Tug not to have seen the "Ghost" tugs in the Port. When his crewmates tell him what they had witnessed in the past two nights, Hercules explains their ghosts were really the White Fleet and Ten Cents and Sunshine's ghostly galleon was trapped in an undersea iceberg. He takes no notice when Sunshine says he saw King Neptune. In the end, Hercules assumes the tugs merely let the fog get to them. Later during the season, Hercules towed in the S.S. Vienna to a meeting spot outside the estuary since the weather caused all operations in Bigg City Port to cease.

Salty's Lighthouse

In Salty's Lighthouse, Hercules is depicted as the older brother of both Ten Cents and of Sunshine (the latter portrayed as a female character along with Captain Star and Little Ditcher).

Personality

Hercules is a cool-headed fighter and the most well-informed tug in the Bigg City Port industry. He considers himself the "yacht" of the Star Fleet. Hercules is famously known for referring to other characters as "m'dears", "old darlings", and "sweetheart". If the US dub had happened, he would've called his fellow Star tugs "old buddy", or "son."

Nothing can break Hercules. Not even the antics of the Z-Stacks and Bluenose can set him back. He is held in high regard by most of the tugs in the harbour, and even Zorran knows that he cannot win a confrontation with Hercules.

Livery

Hercules is painted in the Star Fleet's corporate livery. This consists of a black hull, a yellow superstructure, white mast and an American flag-styled red, white and blue funnel. His name is painted on the sides of his bow in white and he has the number "6" on his funnel. He wears round yellow tinted glasses and a blue and white sailor's cap.

Appearances

Episodes Sunshine Pirate (speaks only in 20 minute cut; cameo in 15 minute cut) Regatta Munitions Ghosts Jinxed (cameo; larger role in deleted scene) High Winds Bigg Freeze Harbour Life (cancelled episode) Hercules (cancelled episode) Books and Annuals Kidnapped Run Aground (cameo) Ship In Distress (mentioned) Naval Manoeuvres (mentioned) Ten Cents' Busy Day Salty's Lighthouse Too Young to be Included Taking Off (cameo) Let’s Party (cameo) Blackout Hands Off Salty Come Lately (cameo) Knot so Nice (cameo) Backwards Day (does not speak) Banana Splits (cameo) Clear the Decks (cameo) Strike Up the Band Blankety Blank (does not speak) Farley Frog (cameo) Boss Man High Spirits (does not speak) If the Clue Fits Wear It (does not speak) Big Birthday Bash (cameo) No Strings Attached (cameo)

Audio Files

Like Big Mac, Hercules is fitted with a chime whistle, but one with a "cleaner" sound and a two-tone signature.

Trivia

• Hercules is the only established ocean-going tugboat in the series.
• After TUGS' production ended, Hercules' model was purchased by The Star Tugs Company, an organisation set up to exhibit the models.
• He is the only character to have sideburns, and one of the few to have hair underneath his hat for that matter.
• The model's front flagpole has changed several times throughout the series. In Sunshine, Pirate, Jinxed, and most of High Winds, it remains intact. In his final scene in High Winds and the ending to Sunshine, the front flagpole has been snapped off. In Regatta, Munitions, and Ghosts, it appears to be either tapped or moulded back on. In Bigg Freeze, it then disappears completely.
• It is currently unknown if Hercules' other face masks still exist.
• He is the only Star Tug who did not have a lead role in any episodes, although he did play a major part in "Bigg Freeze".
• Hercules was originally going to have a lead role in an episode named after him, but it was scrapped and replaced with High Winds.
• Hercules' face is based on American film actor Clark Gable.

Quotes

"Alright, m'dears. I don't want to wait around for answers. I want to be in the show today, too. You can tell me all later. Now, where's Warrior got to?"

— Hercules, Regatta

"Ghosts? What's all that about, m'dears? Hmm?"
"Ghostly white tugs."
"Yeah. White tugs and a big galleon!"
"And Neptune, I think."
"I saw them, too."
"You're all going crazy. Seeing things that aren't there. Ha-ha-ha."
"I'm not sure. I don't know what I saw, now."

— Hercules, Big Mac, Ten Cents, Sunshine and Warrior, Ghosts

"Keep smiling, m'dear."
"I always do, Hercules."

— Hercules and Lillie Lightship, Bigg Freeze

"Keep it alight, m'dears! We still need it!"

— Hercules while bringing in Vienna, Bigg Freeze

"You're clear, Vienna! Bon voyage! Godspeed!"

— Hercules seeing Vienna off, Bigg Freeze

Merchandise

• Port Set (discontinued)
• Pin Badges (discontinued)
• Thimbles (discontinued)

See Also

• Hercules (Real Tug)
• Hercules (Episode)

Bigg City Port

---

* Television Series only | ** Annuals only | --- Cut

Star Tug and Marine

---

7 Tugs | 1 Submarine | 1 Former Member