Here we are in 2018, and Grouper is still in purgatory,
aground on a soft smooth bottom created when the Canal is drained,
when the waterway looks like a brook. I’m told that portions of the Canal in Oswego have been drained as of last week, and I hope to see for myself one of these days.
Grouper, if you are new to this blog, is a stranded Great Lakes tug–sibling to these in Cleveland, and launched in 1912!!
Many thanks to Bob Stopper for these photos.
tugster: a waterblog 
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May 14, 2018 at 11:33 am
Kevin C
Kevin C
Visited Lyons yesterday. Yes, the vessel is still there. It’s a good thing she was stoutly built and in fresh water, otherwise she may not be with us today. Doesn’t look much different from anything I’ve seen previously (perhaps a little less paint and more rust). The pilothouse is boarded up with newish looking locks on the pilothouse and engine room door. She also had a new tire fender and chain that was recently installed, so her current caretakers are around? The Google street view gives a good look at the boat if anyone is interested.
Are there any plans for historical preservation or documentation of the vessel? She is certainly significant and could go a long way in filling a sort of void in information about the early Great Lakes tugs.
May 14, 2018 at 5:08 pm
tugster
Hi Kevin– Sorry to be the one to tell you, but Grouper will likely become a reef near Long Island. Lots of other Canal equipment will have the same fate. !@#!!
May 14, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Kevin Coombs
Ugh, she could have at least been allowed to rest in fresh water; but such is life. I’ve heard squabbling about the canal boats having that fate. Did the canal authority take her, explaining the same eventual disposition?
Do you know of any contacts? Her Kahlenberg E6 is a treasure; as of this article
https://www.gasenginemagazine.com/gas-engines/exhibit-to-run-on-diesel
it is one of only 3 that were in service in ’86. It would be a shame to see something like that shucked out and the hull sent to the bottom without at the least some level of documentation.
Regardless, thank you for the info.
May 15, 2018 at 3:31 am
tugster
Kevin– As part of the “decontamination” prior to the reefing, the engine will be removed. I’ll find a name for you.
May 18, 2018 at 11:44 am
santi4524
What ?
May 14, 2018 at 8:47 pm
Deborah Gamble Wiegand
My dad, Lester R. Gamble was the Green Bay’s captain out of Manitowoc, WI from 1954-69. I have an extensive photo collection from those years that I would be happy to share. Tugster, I think I previously sent you some of them. If she is put to her rest as a reef, that would be more dignified than letting her deteriorate stranded and aground and vandalized.
Deb W.
May 15, 2018 at 3:30 am
tugster
Hi Deb– You did send those photos, and they are on the blog. Soon, when I have more info, I’m planning another Grouper/GreenBay post.
May 16, 2018 at 7:43 am
Deb Gamble Wiegand
My sincere thanks for documenting the history and fate of the Green Bay,( I can’t think of her as the Grouper) that is so much of our family’s legacy.
May 17, 2018 at 7:36 pm
tugster
Deb–You’re welcome.