O.J. (an abbreviation of "Old Jones") is Captain Star's third and oldest tug. He is indeed capable of a variety of tasks (but is sometimes restricted by his age and mechanical condition). However at the end of the episode Quarantine, he was taken to Lucky's Yard to receive a new engine and the problem was resolved.
He speaks with a South Welsh accent.
Biography[]
Tugs[]
O.J. is the only paddle-driven tug left in Bigg City Port. He can be described as slow (but versatile). As Captain Star once said in Quarantine, "He'd given many years of good service (but time was catching up on him)".
Prior to an overhaul during the Year of the Heat Wave, O.J.'s aged engine was the cause for a number of mishaps (including an accident that resulted in the sinking of the Fultan Ferry). O.J.'s weakness and age has often placed him on the receiving end of jokes and insults from the Star Fleet and Z-Stacks alike (mostly the Z-Stacks and Top Hat). For a period, he was the primary target of Burke and Blair (the evil-minded scrap dealers who attempted on a number of occasions to persuade Captain Star into selling O.J. and his engine for a cheap price). But after O.J.'s quick thinking prevented Ten Cents from having to enter quarantine, Captain Star sent O.J. to Lucky's Yard and the scavengers on their way.
Personality[]
As the Star Fleet's wise elder, O.J. possesses unbeatable wisdom. He has extensive knowledge and experience of harbour life and manoeuvres, and because of this, Captain Star often places him in charge of large operations (such as ocean liner docking manoeuvres). On various occasions, O.J. has demonstrated his ability to devise swift and clever strategies to help himself and his fellow Stars out of predicaments. He does not stand for nonsense, and is quick to correct the younger tugs if they make mistakes. Despite his occasionally harsh approach, O.J. cares for his fellow Stars as a grandparent would for their grandchildren. In addition to being wise, O.J. is also quite sharp (like in Sunshine where he admitted that he was suspicious as to why Zorran showed up almost instantly after Sunshine lost control with the Duchess (or in Quarantine where he suspected foul play when Nantucket lowered his quarantine flag even though there was no coast guard in sight)).
O.J. is always seen with glasses on in the TV series. In Mistaken Identity, it is revealed that his vision is limited without them. In the annual story, he loses them and bumps into a solid object. The fact that it's dark out and foggy doesn't/does not help matters. He decides to stay put as he can't/cannot seem to get around the obstacle and falls asleep only to be towed to Burke and Blair's scrapyard by Zip and Zug by mistake. Fortunately, everything turned out fine thanks to Zorran (albeit unknowingly).
Technical Details[]
Livery[]
O.J. is painted in the Star Fleet's corporate livery. This consists of a black hull, a yellow superstructure and an American flag-styled red, white and blue funnel. He also has a brown mast, red paddle-wheels and white paddle-wheel housings. His name is painted on the sides of his bow in white and he has the number "3" on his funnel. He wears a light brown boater hat with a red band on it.
Basis[]
O.J. is based on the Tyne-built paddle tug, Eppleton Hall. Eppleton Hall originally worked in 1914 for the Lambton and Hetton Collieries Ltd. She later worked for France Fenwick, Wear and Tyne Ltd until 1964. After 15 years, when due to be scrapped, she was donated to the USA National Park Service. She was refitted to able to cross the Atlantic Ocean and triumphantly travelled to San Francisco under her own power with a crew of twelve.
She is no longer in steam, but she is still afloat at Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, to this day.
Appearances[]
Episodes
Books and Annuals
Salty's Lighthouse
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Audio Files[]
O.J.'s whistle is particularly deep, and has a distinct warble in it (sounding very much like a distress klaxon (usually sounded in short bursts)). It Is also Zip’s whistle in a lower pitch.
Trivia[]
- Originally, O.J. was going to be a small sized harbor tug (like Bluenose and Boomer) and having a "flash white boy" like character. His design and personality however would later be changed, and merged with scrapped character, Delta Queen.
- His model (along with original hat, smokestack, wheelhouse, and face) was sold to the Star Tugs Company (formerly The Star Tugs Trust).
- O.J. is the only Star Tug whose model was refurbished for use in Thomas & Friends.
- O.J.'s model (in complete Lakesider III guise) was the first model to be publicly displayed by Tugs: The Exhibition at their first official event; at the Battlefield Line (on May 25th-27th, 2013 for its Vintage Toy Train Weekend). Interestingly, this was the closest to a Tugs asset being at the event.
- He (along with Big Mac) were composer Mike O'Donnell's favourite characters.
- He is renamed "Otis" in Salty's Lighthouse (probably because of the O.J. Simpson Case happening around that time).
Merchandise[]
- Port Set (discontinued)
- Kabaya Stamp (discontinued)
- Waddingtons Puzzles (discontinued)
- Pins Badge (discontinued)
- Thimbles (discontinued)