The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District honored the Dredge McFarland during a farewell ceremony at Fort Mifflin yesterday, marking the completion of the vessel’s final operational mission after nearly six decades of service.
Current and former crew members, members of the McFarland family, maritime partners, and stakeholders gathered along the Fort Mifflin pier to recognize the vessel and the civilian mariners who operated it on the Delaware River and waterways across the nation.
“We are joined by an extraordinary gathering of leaders, partners and friends whose presence speaks volumes about what this ship means to our region and our country,” said USACE Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum.
The ceremony incorporated Army ceremonial protocol and maritime tradition. The watch was secured, and the USACE distinguishing flag was lowered and presented to family members of the vessel’s namesake, Arthur McFarland. Later in the ceremony, crew members were rung ashore, and a final whistle sounded in tribute to the vessel’s service.
With her final mission complete, the McFarland entered a pierside standby status at Fort Mifflin. The vessel will remain there while the Army Corps’ medium-class hopper dredge, the Donnelly, is under construction.
The McFarland was launched in 1966 at Bethlehem Steel’s Sparrows Point yard near Baltimore and completed in 1967.