Story
This buoy & lighthouse tender was built in 1939 by Marine Iron & Shipbuilding in Duluth, MN.
Historical Notes
George Schneider (Aug 2026) Writes: As the SIMONS she conducted water quality sampling around the Great Lakes at a time when recovery of the Lakes ecosystem was still under development.
She was first documented in 1995 (as a yacht) when put on display at St. Ignace MI. Any hope of building tourism was dashed in 2004 when neighboring Mackinaw City received the icebreaker MACKINAW for display. At least since 2014 she's been idle at Milwaukee. Her documents expired in 2006.
Owners & Masters
In 1939-1973 she was owned by the U. S. Coast Guard.
In 1973-1974 she was owned by the U. S. Navy.
In 1974-1995 she was owned by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago IL USA.
In 1995-2005 she was owned by the Great Lakes Center for Marine History, St. Ignace MI USA.
In 2006-2013 she was owned by the USLHS Maple LLC, Wauwatosa WI USA.
Armament
None
Repower
"probably early 1960's" re-engined with two GM 800 HP Diesels
References
- U. S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft of W W II by Robert L. Scheina, page 106
- U. S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft 1946-1990 by Robert L. Scheina, page 159-60
- Merchant Vessels of the United States Annual digital data files, 1996-2026
- cgmix.uscg.mil ↗ (Accessed 15 Aug 2026)
