Socony-Vacuum Tug Converted to Diesel "Socony 23". Converted from steam Socony 23 of the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, Inc., has gone into service again in the New York Harbor area with its original horsepower increased from 600 to 1200 by means of a 12 cylinder, 2 cycle General Motors Diesel engine. In addition, the tug has been entirely rehabilitated and modernized to handle the new, larger type of barges used for transportation of oil products in bulk. Conversion of Socony 23 is pare of a general Socony-Vacurm modernization and rehabilitation program which includes the acquisition of a new tug last Fall. Socony 23 was built originally in 1929 by the United Drydocks, Inc., now Bethlehem Steel Company of New York. Its overall length is 97 feet and its molded depth averages close to 10 feer. Its hull is steel with riveted construction and the vessel has a loaded displacement of about 358 tons. It carries a crew of 12. With its conversion, Socony 23 can tow one of the new 17,500-barrel loaded barges at a speed of seven and a half knots. Travelling light, the tug has an average speed of almost 14 knots and can go from full speed ro a dead stop in the water within 22 seconds. Its bunker capacity is 22.000 gallons and it has 38,000 pounds of ballast to increase the stability. Ferdinand Wigt, chief engineer on "Socony 23," in the engine room of the vessel.