Fish Tugs Of The Greatest Lake

Fishing Vessels of the Great Lakes

Compiled by Harvey Hadland

SAL A gas boat owned by Mads Nielsen, Muskegon, MI in 1952.

SALLIE 266515 Built by Marinette Marine Corporation in 1949, the 42 ft. x 12 ft. all steel vessel was equipped with a 165 hp. Cummins diesel when owned by Stanley Peanaske, Myril Brix, and James Olson, in 1961, when they fished out of Cornucopia, Wis. The boat was later sold and used as a pilot boat at DeTour, MI. Still later Victor Mattson, Wetmore, (Munising) Mich. owned the boat. It is presently drydocked at Sault Ste. Marie. VIEW PICTURE

SALLIE LOU A 40 ft. vessel, reported to be the first fish tug built by Peterson Boat Works. Owned by the Grovogel Fishery, Jacksonport, WI in 1933.

SALLY A. Owned by A. R. Adair, Munising, MI in 1931.

SAMBO A boat of unknown size owned by Geo. F. Cook Son, Leland, MI in 1939.

SAN JOSEPH A 45 ft. diesel powered vessel owned by Gaetano Terranova, Chicago, IL in 1984.

SAND BAY 257490 Built at Cornucopia, WI in 1948 by Thomas H. Jones, Sr., the 40 ft. x 14 ft. vessel was equipped with a war surplus GM 6-71 diesel. Owner Herman Johnson, Jr. operated the boat in the pound-net and gill net fishery until his retirement. Sold to an owner at Superior, WI the boat was later sold, and ended up in southern Louisiana.

SAND ISLAND Built at Bayfield, WI in the late 1930s by Evan Christensen, for Herman Johnson, Sr. The 28 ft. fantail vessel was equipped with a Buick car engine. In the mid 1940s Ernest LaPointe was owner for a number of years. By 1950 Allison Boutin, Bayfield , had the boat, operating with it for many years, re-powering it with a war surplus Buda diesel. After sitting ashore for a number of years Robert Boutin took it over. In a few years the boat was again back on the beach, sitting on the end of the Yacht Club dock, on property owned by Ed Erickson. Taken to the James Erickson farm, the boat was finally acquired by Robert Halvorson and is now on his property in the Town of Russell.

SCAMP A small fish boat owned by Ole Norwick, Muskegon, MI in 1931.

SCOTTY 240251 Built at Bay City, MI in 1934, the 40 ft. x 9 ft. wood hulled fishing vessel was owned by Walter Scott, Jr., Alpena, MI during 1941 and 1942. Clare Thomas, Unionville, MI had ownership from 1942 until 1959. By Vern Thomas, Unionville, MI from 1959 to 1963. Donald Brennan, Port Huron, MI owned the boat during 1963 and 1964, when it stranded mile north of Port Sanilac, MI and presemed lost. This could possibly be the same SCOTTY listed below.

SCOTTY A small gas boat owned by Ray Goodheart, Muskegon, MI in the 1940s.

SCOUT A fish boat of unknown size owned by Fred Lindquist, Munising, MI in the late 1930s.

SEA BIRD 117013 Built at the Johnston Bros. Shipyard, Ferrysburg, MI in 1900. The 58-ft. x 12 ft. steel-hulled, steam powered vessel was originally a yacht. Up until 1918 the boat was in the passenger service in the Grand Haven area. From 1919 to 1925 use is listed as fishing, although not listed in MVUS this is most likely when she was owned by Fairchild Fishery, Frankfort, MI. From 1926 to 1933 Victor Edholm had the boat at Chicago. From 1933 to 1935 Charles Koppelman Chicago, was owner. From 1935 to 1937 Arthur Lehmann, Chicago, was owner. From 1937 to 1938 Andrew Trost, Chicago, had the boat, and in March of 1937 had her for sale, the reason being that the boat was too large for his fishing operation. She was listed as having an 80 hp. Wolverine gas engine for power. Shortly after this John Lange, Chicago, bought the boat and brought it to Bayfield, WI, where it was fished by LaPointe Bros. Fishery until the 1950s. In the mid 1940s the boat was re-powered with a 135 hp. Chrysler Royal gas engine. Zenith Dredge Co., Duluth bought her from LaPointe and converted her to towing, and installed a Cummins diesel. The boat is presently owned by James Melin, Ashland, WI VIEW PICTURE

SEABIRD 226468 A 42 foot wood hulled vessel built at Traverse City, Mich in 1927. Originally steam powered, the boat was owned by Burney Stites, of Traverse City for a number of years. In 1949 the boat was owned by the Thill & Peterson Fishery, Fayette, Mich. The last owner of record was Ralph Anthony, operating from various ports. The boat was eventually abandoned at St. Ignace, Mich. in 1969.

SEA BIRD II 261042 A 40 ft. steel-hulled vessel, built as a trapnetter. Subsequent owner, Charles Wood, Racine, WI converted her to a gillnetter, renaming her CHARLES W. Buckler Bros. Fishery, Leland, Mich. acquired the boat next, renaming her SEA BIRD II. The Bucklers later sold the boat to Jeff Weborg, Ellison Bay, WI. After some time Weborg sold her to Duane Peterson, Bayfield, WI. Peterson fished the boat out of Big Traverse Bay, Mich., for a time, then selling her to Gerald Jondreau. The boat is presently sitting ashore at Pequaming,Mich., north of L'Anse. VIEW PICTURE

SEA FLYER A fish boat of unknown size owned by Chas. R. Seglund, Munising, MI in 1929.

SEA FOAM A fish boat of unknown size owned by W.F. Veitenheimer, Muskegon, MI in 1929.

SEA GOING McGEE A small fish boat owned by William Wilson, Munising, MI in 1954.

SEA GULL 236673 Built at Chassell, MI in 1935 for Emil Haataja,Lake Linden, MI, the 36 ft. x 10 ft. vessel was equipped with a 40 hp, Red Wing gas engine.

SEA GULL A 26 ft. gas boat owned by George Senecal, Muskegon, MI in 1929.

SEA GULL A 35 ft. gas boat owned by Fred Hauer, Chicago, IL in 1941.

SEA GULL A fish boat of unknown size owned by Ben O. Petersen, Muskegon, MI in 1938.

SEA GULL A small fish boat owned by Edw. Champagne, Pinconning, MI in 1931.

SEA GULL One of the many boats built by John Peterson, at LaPointe, on Madeline Island. Just over 30 ft. in length, the boat was equipped with various gas engines over the years. Owned by Ole Olsen, Bayfield, the boat operated from Bear Island during the 1930s and into the 40s. Last operated out of Rocky Island in the mid 40s, the boat was sold, and ended up in Ashland, finally sinking in the Bad River, at Odanah.

SEA HAG A 30 ft. gas boat owned by Martin Jones Sons, Ontonagon, MI in 1933.

SEA KING 248556 Built at Chassell, MI in 1945 for Oscar Kumula, Chassell, the 28 ft. x 9 ft. vessel was equipped with a 71 hp. gas engine.

SEA LION 225629 Built at Chassell, MI in 1925, the 38 ft. x 10 ft. gas boat was owned by Edward Koski, Portage Entry, MI.

SEA SCOUT 240335 Built at Portage Entry in 1935 for Emil Kallianen of Portage Entry. The 34 ft. x 10 ft. vessel was equipped with a 90 hp. gas engine. In the 1940s the boat was owned by Emil Tormala and his cousin Eino Toumals, and operated out of Marquette, MI.

SEA WOLF A 44 ft. gas powered vessel owned by Axel Holmstrom, Ludington, MI in 1928.

SEABIRD 226468 Built at Traverse City, MI in 1927, the 42 ft. x 11 ft. steam powered vessel was owned by Burney R. Stites, Traverse City, MI in 1938.

SEAQUEEN Owned by L.E. Voight, Ellison Bay, WI in 1934, the 40 ft. vessel was equipped with an oil engine of unknown size.

SEARCH Built by Burger Boat Co. in 1913 for Patrick Murray Chambers, Washington Island, WI. The 70 ft. x 15 ft. vessel was equipped with a steam engine of 80 hp. In 1927 the boat was re-powered with a 100-120 Kahlenberg oil engine. In 1944 the boat was hauled out of the water and burned.

SEARCHLIGHT A 40 ft. x 11 ft. x 4 ft. steam powered fish tug, built by G. Miskin, Saginaw, Mich. in 1899. Boat was lost while on a fishing trip out of Harbor Beach, Mich. on April 23, 1907. All six crew members were drowned.

SEEKER See ELEANOR B.

SENORA A 42 ft. x 11 ft. fish tug owned by August Johnson, St.Ignace, MI in 1934. The vessel was equipped with a 45-54 Kahlenberg oil engine.

SERVICE A 45 ft. vessel equipped with a 45-54 Kahlenberg oil engine, owned by H. Johnson Sons, Washington Island, WI in 1933. This boat was last owned by Smith Bros., Port Washington and renamed ROY K. SMITH

SHAMROCK Built on Cat Island in the Apostle Islands, off Bayfield, WI, in the late 1920s, where it was framed up by Eli LaPointe during winter logging operations. In the spring Evan Christensen planked the hull and built the cabin. The 30 ft.(approx.) fantail vessel was powered with a gas engine. In 1935 Philip LaPointe was operating with the boat. Then after laying ashore at Bayfield for some time Elmer Sharp and Walt Lindquist attempted to fit the boat for fishing again, but dismantled her after discovering the boat was beyond repair.

SHARK A 34 ft. gas boat built and owned by Otto Niemi Sons Fishery, Grand Marais MI in 1943.

SHARK Built by Otto Niemi, Grand Marais, MI in 1939, the 34 foot vessel was equipped with the 4 cyl. Fordson tractor engine removed from Niemi's previous boat, ELK. The boat was operated until it was sold in 1953.

SHARON 606857 Built at Escanaba, MI by T.D. Vinette Co. in 1979 for Wayne Seaman, Garden, MI. The 51 ft. x 14 ft. steel hulled vessel had an aluminum house, and was equipped with a turbocharged Cummins diesel. In early 2000 the boat was bought by Sylvester Barbeau, Fairport, MI and converted into a trap-net boat.

SHARON JON 245525 A 35 ft. gas boat built at Bayfield, WI in the mid 1940s by Frank Muhlke, for Sivertson Fisheries, Duluth, MN. VIEW PICTURE

SHERYL DENNIS 250492 Built by Marinette Marine Corp. in 1946 for Ostling Bros., Ontonagon, MI. The 35 ft. x 11 ft. all steel vessel was equipped with a Chrysler Crown marine gas engine. The Ostlings owned the boat until 1953, when it was sold to John Wiita, Lake Linden, MI. James Wiita, Gay, MI acquired the boat in 1962 and kept her until 1971, when he sold her to Ralph Wilcox, Brimley, MI. In 1974 ownership changed to Grand Marais Fisheries, Grand Marais, MI. Ronald Grovogel, Racine, WI is the last owner listed as of 1974. VIEW PICTURE

SHINE ON A 28 ft. gas boat owned by Carl Richter, Washington Island, WI in 1930.

SHIP A fish boat of unknown size, owned by Ronald Corey, Naubinway, MI in 1930.

SHIRLEY A fish boat owned by Eli H. Babcock, Munising, MI in 1929.

SHIRLEY B. 249189 Built by the Marine Division of Hugh Lee Iron Works, Saginaw, MI in 1945. The 45 ft. all steel vessel was designed by A.M. Deering, N . Chicago, and equipped with a Caterpillar diesel. Owned by Baginske Fishery, Michigan City, IN, the boat was later owned by Gary Diepenhorst, Saugatuck, MI. and later still by Phillip Anderson, Kewaunee, WI. Anderson changed the name to INGRID A. The boat is presently owned by Joseph Herro, Kenosha, WI and has been laying idle at Fairport, MI for a number of years.

SHIRLEY K. 255345 38 ft. steel hulled fish tug built at Milwaukee, Wis. in 1948 for Willard Kauppi, Copper Harbor, Mich. The boat was last owned by Kenwabikie Fisheries, Naubinway, Mich., for a number of years before being cut up for scrap at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. in 2003. VIEW PICTURE

SIGNORA A 30 ft. gas boat owned by Stanley Radke, Manistee, MI in 1947.

SILONA A 30 ft. gas boat owned by Olsen Brothers Fishery, Kenosha, WI in 1931.

SILVER DAWN A fish boat of unknown size owned by Dale H. Smith, Muskegon, MI in 1952.

SILVER LEAF A 30 ft. gas boat owned by Theodore S. Bainbridge, Marinette, WI and brought to Bayfield in about 1928, when Bainbridge moved his operation north. The boat was abandoned in 1930 when a larger boat was built.

SILVER MOON A 34 ft. gas boat owned by Ralph Cross, Charlevoix, MI in 1937.

SILVER SPRAY 234567 Built at Portage Entry in 1934, for August Jaasko, Big Traverse Bay, MI. The 36 ft. vessel was equipped with a 35 hp. gasoline engine.

SILVER SPRAY A fish boat owned by John F. Brown, Munising, MI in 1938.

SILVER SPRAY Built by Sturgeon Bay Boat Works in 1925, the 43 ft. x 11 ft vessel was owned by Earl Killoran, Fayette, MI. The vessel was originally equipped with a 45-54 Kahlenberg oil engine. Killoran moved to Ontonagon, MI during the 1940s and re-powered the boat with a Model D8800 Caterpillar diesel. When the boat was no longer useable the engine was removed, and the boat was scuttled outside Ontonagon. The engine was put in the 42 ft. steel boat GOODWILL, that had been purchased from William Lasanen at Big Traverse.

SILVER STAR Built on Beaver Island in 1906 by Gus Mielke. The 32 ft. vessel was equipped with a gasoline engine and owned by Erwin Belfy, St.James, MI, on Beaver Island in 1920.

SIR KNIGHT Built by the Marine Division of Hugh Lee Iron Works, Saginaw, MI, from plans designed by A.M. Deering, Chicago naval architect. The 52 ft. x 13 ft. all steel vessel was equipped with a 165 hp. Graymarine diesel turning a 36 x 34 cast steel wheel. Owner Robert Scott, Jr.,Alpena, MI had stationed the boat at Manistee, MI under the command of Alfred Nordstrand. In just a few years the boat was offered for sale. Scott took her to Florida for a time, but returned to Michigan. The boat was eventually put to use as a harbor tug, in the Bay City, MI area. VIEW PICTURE

SITTSER A fish boat of unknown size owned by Clayton Sittser, Muskegon, MI in 1942.

SKIPPER 248988 Built by Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Drydock Co. in 1945 for Howard and Emory Weborg, Gills Rock, WI. The 42 ft. x 12 ft. all steel vessel was equipped with a 45-54 Kahlenberg oil engine, and is to this day still owned by the Weborg brothers.

SLIVERS A 28 ft. gas boat owned by Kleinke Brothers Fishery, Marinette, WI in 1929.

SLO-POKE A fish boat of unknown size owned by Wallace Nelson, Muskegon, MI in 1954.

SMILING THRU 236155 A 40 ft. x 11 ft wood hulled fish tug built at Montaque, Mich. in 1936 by J . Johnson. From 1937 to 1945 the boat was owned by L.J. Strayer, Whitehall, Mich. Ernest Anderson, Northport, Mich. was the owner during 1945 and 1946. George LeBlance, Jr., Muskegon, Mich. had ownership during 1946 and 1948. W.R Angell, North Manitou Island, Mich. had the boat from 1948 to 1950. Tracy Grosvenor and George Grosvenor, Leland, Mich. owned the boat from 1950 to 1963. Next Manitou Mail Service, Leland, Mich. had the boat during 1963,1964 and 1965. John Mosher, Grand Rapids, Mich. took ownership in 1965 and had the boat until 1972 when it was taken out of documentation and abandoned. The boat saw service as a fish tug, mail boat, and underwater research vessel.

SMITH BROS. 234580 Built by Burger Boat Co. in 1936 for Smith Brothers Fish Co., Port Washington, the 52 ft. x 14 ft. all steel vessel was equipped with a 75-90 Kahlenberg oil engine. The boat was sold to Alvin Anderson, Milwaukee, WI in the 1960s, re-named D. S. and repowered with a 250 hp. Cummins diesel. VIEW PICTURE

SNEEZY A gas boat owned by Everett Lazotte, Munising, MI in 1941.

SONNY A 37 ft. gas boat owned by H.C. Lant, Barcelona, NY in 1937.

SONNY A fish boat of unknown size owned by Harold Olson, Muskegon, MI in 1952.

SONNY S. A 52 ft. all steel fishing vessel owned by Chas. H. Schneider, Middle Bass, OH in 1946, and equipped with a 165 hp. Graymarine diesel turning a 32 x 28 wheel through a 2:1 reduction gear.

SOPHIA H. 236054 Built at Chicago in 1937, the 38 ft. x 9 ft. vessel was equipped with a 100 hp. diesel engine. In 1941 Fred H. Hauer, Chicago, was owner. Clyde Cross, Charlevoix, MI owned the boat in 1943. In 1944 Alex Lindquist, Ludington, MI, owned the boat.

SOPHIA T. A 33 ft. gas boat owned by John Tuisl, Manitowoc, WI in 1930.

SORENSON BROS. Built by Marinette Marine Corp. in 1946, a standard 35 ft. x 11 ft. all steel vessel equipped with a Chrysler Crown marine engine. Owned by Sorenson Bros. Fishery, Washington Island, WI

SOUTH TWIN 238948 Built at Bayfield, WI in 1938 for Lenus Jacobson, by Even Christensen. The 42 ft. x 11 ft. vessel was equipped with a Buick car motor. In the early 1940s a Chrysler Crown marine gas engine replaced the Buick. When Jacobson died in September 1950 the boat was sold to Ernest LaPointe. In 1964 the boat was ashore on the marine railway at LaPointe Bros. Fishery in Bayfield, and no longer in use. Sold, it was taken to the Grand Portage, MN area and used as a dive boat for a short time. Back in Bayfield again, the boat was bought by Robert Boutin and put back into the fishery. In the early 1980s Boutin sold her to Thomas Newago. In 1986 Mark Simmons bought the boat, changed the name to ELIZABETH ANN, and re-powered with a GM 4- 53 diesel. In 1995 Wilfred Peterson bought the boat, removed the engine and electronics, and sold the boat to Cecil Peterson who has it set up outside his grocery market at Red Cliff. The name SOUTH TWIN has been restored to the vessel. VIEW PICTURE

SOUTHWESTER See JENSEN BROS.

SPARTA Built by Sturgeon Bay Boat Works, and launched in February 1936 when the temperature was 22 degrees below zero. The 42 ft. x 12 ft. vessel was owned by Gust Koulentis of Waukegan, IL, and equipped with a 45-54 Kahlenberg oil engine. The tug was taken on a short trial run through some exceptionally heavy ice shortly after it was launched. VIEW PICTURE

SPRAY A fish boat of unknown size owned by Albin Peterson and Einar Berg, Algoma, WI in 1936.

SQUAW A 26 ft. gas boat owned by Donah Destree, Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1948.

SQUATTER A 40-foot fantail fish tug originally operated out of Marinette, Wisconsin. In the late 1940s, it was owned by William Traeger, Grand Marais, Michigan. In the early 1950s, it was confiscated by Canadian authorities for allegedly operating in Canadian waters. The boat was taken to Mamainse Harbor, Ontario, where it was hauled ashore and abandoned. VIEW PICTURE

STANLEY 212885 Built at Two Harbors, MN in 1914, the wood hulled fish tug was owned by John E. Johnson. In 1930 the boat was sunk, possibly intentionally, at Star Island, near Isle Royale.

STANDARD A small gas boat owned by Joseph Marsh, Munising, MI in 1938.

STAR A 24 ft. gas boat owned by Harold Dahl, Bayfield, WI in 1913.

STAR A 45 ft. steam tug owned by Wilson Bros. Fishery, Northport, MI in 1928.

STARLING 225630 Built at Chassell, MI in 1923, the 36 ft. x 9 1.2 ft. gas boat was owned by Frank E. Kuusisto, Portage Entry, MI.

STELLA B. Built in 1899, the 40 ft. x 8 ft. 6 gross tons fishing vessel was owned by Nelson Bachand, Bayfield, WI. In 1919. The 1919 Beeson's Marine Directory lists John Neveaux, Odanah, WI, as a later owner.

STEPHEN CHASE Built at Ashtabula, OH in 1904, the 81 ft. x 16 ft. vessel was steam powered. In 1928 she was rebuilt at a cost of $5000 at Port Huron, MI. John C. McKay, South Haven, MI was owner in 1929.

STEVE V. A fishing vessel of unknown size, owned by the Schacht Fish Co., Sandusky, OH in 1934.

STOREBO A small fishing vessel owned by John Nelson, Bayfield, WI in 1912.

STORM A 25 ft. gas boat owned by Charles Jamsen, Copper Harbor, MI in 1930.

STRANGER 230909 Built at Bayfield, WI in 1929 by Halvor A. Reiten. The 35 ft. x 10 ft. vessel was owned by Theodore S. Bainbridge, Bayfield until 1949, when it was sold to Chris Hadland. When built the boat had a twin screw arrangement with two 4-cylinder Dodge car motors, both engines up forward alongside the net lifter. These were later removed and one engine, a 6 cylinder Buick was installed in the center, and midship. In 1949 the boat was re-powered with a Chrysler Crown marine engine. VIEW PICTURE

SUB a small fish boat owned by Fred Lehnen, Munising, MI in 1938.

SUITS-US A 24 ft.(approx.) gas boat that had a number of owners in the Bayfield, WI area. Among them Ole Frostman and Chris J. Hadland. The last owner, Elmer (Capt. Bly) Thompson, met with disaster while on a trolling trip out of Bayfield. One man was drowned, the boat sank, and Thompson was charged with manslaughter, but later acquitted. Lenus Jacobson retrieved the boat, took it to South Twin Island, where it was pulled ashore and remained for many years.

SUNBEAM A vessel of unknown size owned by Frank Kircchoff, Alpena, MI in 1930

SUNBEAM Built by Burger Boat Co. in 1917 for Roy K. Smith, Carl Koehn, and Delos H. Smith, Sheboygan, WI. The 71 ft. vessel was steam powered. VIEW PICTURE

SUNNY JIM A boat of unknown size owned by Roy Williams and E . Gibbons, Standish, MI in 1931.

SUNRISE A vessel of unknown size, equipped with a 30- 36 Kahlenberg oil engine, owned by Leonard Nelson, Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1936.

SUPERIOR A 36 ft. gas boat owned by Gus Johnson and Charles Carlson, Ontonagon, MI in 1947

SUSAN M. 248935 Built at Cornucopia, WI in 1945 by Thomas H. Jones, Sr., the 40 ft. vessel was equipped with a Model DCMR468 Buda diesel, and owned by Michael and George Stark of Cornucopia. In the early 1960 Martin Johnson, Bayfield, WI, acquired the boat and fished with it for a number of years. When sold the boat eventually ended up at Hancock, MI and was re-named SHAMROCK. After various uses it was fished for a short time and then abandoned. VIEW PICTURE

SUSAN O. A fishing vessel of unknown size owned by Ole Olson, Frankfort, MI in 1930.

SUZANNE A 30 ft.[approx.] fishing vessel owned by Duane Seaman, Oscoda, MI in 1967.

SWALLOW A 28 ft. gas boat owned by Charles and Axel Fredrickson, Frankfort, MI in 1938.

SWALLOW A small fish boat owned by Benth S. Johnson, Frankfort, MI in 1931.

SWAN A small fish boat owned by Roy Brown, Munising, MI in 1931.

SWAN Owned by Otto Niemi, Grand Marais, MI before WWI. Originally a sail boat , the 23 footer was converted to power with the installation of a 1 cylinder Sears Roebuck engine. Niemi fished with her until he built the ELK in 1923.

SWEN Built by owner Swen Hill, Chassell, MI, in the early 1960s, the 32 ft. steel hulled vessel was equipped with a GM diesel. During a severe blow, while moored at a dock on Huron Island, the boat was nearly destroyed and Hill drowned.

SYLVIA 117140 65 ft. steam powered fish tug, built at Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1902 1919 MVUS listed as owned by William P. Cavanaugh, Alpena, Mich. In 1926 the boat is owned by Alcana Fish Co. of Alpena. In 1930 the boat is in towing service at Bay City, Mich. and renamed WILLIAM J. MEAGHER. Out of service and listed as abandoned in 1934. VIEW PICTURE

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