Fishing tug Katherine V. facts for kids
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|} The Fishing Tug Katherine V., also known as US 228069, is a special type of boat called a Great Lakes fishing tug. It is on display at the Besser Museum in Alpena, Michigan. Many people believe it is the last wooden fishing tug of its kind still in one piece. In 2003, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites.
Contents
- Building and Early Fishing Days
- Changes and Return to the Family
- Becoming a Museum Exhibit
- A Unique Great Lakes Tug
- A Rescue Mission in the Ice
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | Katherine V. |
| Operator | Vogelheim family |
| Builder | Henry Vincent |
| Launched | 1928 |
| Out of service | 1970 |
| Status | Out of water museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Great Lakes Fishing Tug |
| Length | 58 feet |
| Beam | 13 feet |
| Installed power | 75HP-90HP |
| Propulsion | oil engine |
| Notes | American #228069 |
|
Fishing Tug Katherine V.
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|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 491 Johnson St., Alpena, Michigan |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | Henry Vincent |
| Architectural style | Great Lakes Fishing Tug |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000622 |
| Added to NRHP | July 10, 2003 |
History of the Katherine V.
Building and Early Fishing Days
The Katherine V. was built in 1928 by Henry Vincent. He built it in Rogers City, Michigan. Charles A. Vogelheim ordered the boat. He named it after his wife and daughter, both named Katherine.
The Vogelheim family owned the boat. They hired two captains to run the fishing trips. These captains decided where to put the fishing nets. They would each get a share of the money earned from the fish. The Katherine V. was used for fishing until about 1970.
Changes and Return to the Family
In 1973, the Vogelheims sold the boat. The new owners wanted to change it into a fancy yacht. But this plan never happened. So, in 1977, the Vogelheim family got their boat back.
The tug stayed at the fish docks in Rogers City for many years. Then, in 2001, the Vogelheims gave the fishing boat to the Besser Museum.
Becoming a Museum Exhibit
The museum moved the Katherine V. to its property. They wanted to fix it up and show it to the public. In 2003, the tug was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This showed how important the boat was to history.
However, the museum did not start fixing the boat right away. Work began in 2013. This was part of a new exhibit about fishing history on the Great Lakes. The restoration was finished in 2019. Now, visitors can walk on the outside of the boat. The inside is usually only open for special events at the museum.
A Unique Great Lakes Tug
The Katherine V. was one of about 900 boats. These boats were part of the Great Lakes gill net fishing fleet. What makes her special is that she fished only in Lake Huron. She spent her whole working life off the northeastern part of Michigan.
Experts say the Katherine V. is the last example of the large, wooden fishing tugs. These tugs once fished on both sides of Lake Huron. She also shows the amazing skills of wooden boat builders from that time.
The boat helps us understand the history of fishing on the Great Lakes. It shows how fishing changed in the early 1900s.
A Rescue Mission in the Ice
In 1931, the Katherine V. helped another fishing tug. This tug was named The Tramp. The Tramp got stuck in ice that was 20 feet (6.1 m) thick. The crew of the Katherine V. worked very hard. It took seven days to free The Tramp from the ice.
Both boats then tried to continue fishing. But they had to turn back. The crews decided to wait until the ice cleared. They waited for two weeks. Even then, they could only get about three-quarters of a mile from shore. The ice ahead was too thick to pass. Both boats had a watchman on duty at night. This was in case the wind changed and moved the ice.
What the Katherine V. Looks Like
The Katherine V. is 58 feet (18 m) long. It is also 13 feet (4.0 m) wide. It has a Kahlenberg oil engine. This engine provides 75 to 90 horsepower.
The boat is built with strong wood. It uses cypress and oak beams. The deck and the outside of the hull have been covered with iron. The hull itself is made from white oak, northern white cedar, and cypress. Later, steel and aluminum were added to the hull. This helped the boat fish in icy winter conditions.
