Gentlemen....
G-A, once again, thank you! ;^)
Scot - #480 is (was) a wooden gasoline derick lighter, and #79 is a wooden covered barge.
Already in bad shape when found, #480 took a beating from the Nor'easter, making it's salvage impossible.
As for it's age, I believe it may pre-date barge #79, as #480 and it's kin were listed on my 1939 equipment roster, but the barges were not listed seperately by number, but rather lumped together by type and construction. I'll have to check my 1910 equipment roster.
CF
M.P. 28.5 On The NY Division