Tug Boat Board Game

Here's a lesser known game from the darker harbors of Parker Brothers.  The metallic playing surface looks like water, and players push around freight using little metal tug boats.  If you're not careful, your tug will touch one of the metal buoys and set off a rather loud alarm bell.

You have to operate your tug fleet under a time limit, so check out this innovative timer...  Instead of including a little hourglass or a spring-wound timer, there is a slanted channel that runs along the outside of the game board.  The included steel ball clacks (and it's a bit nerve wracking when you're just trying to deliver freight to the other side of the game board) against the bumpers inside the channel, and it works out to be a darned good timer.  Why haven't other games used this timer system?

This game was developed by the Chicago design firm; Marvin Glasser & Associates.  They developed a lot of games and toys including Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots, and a game that uses similar "technology" Operation.  The company still designs toys under the name Big Monster Toys today.