New York City Harbor 1958. The photo shows a tugboat in New York City Harbor in 1958, a typical image of the bustling waterways of the metropolis. Significance: Tugboats played a central role in harbor operations, assisting in the navigation of large ships and symbolizing the dynamics of global trade. Zeitgeist: In the 1950s, the port of New York was one of the most important trading hubs for goods and passengers worldwide. The photo conveys the bustling activity of the harbor, the importance of shipping, and the industrial character of New York in the 1950s.