Boatnerd Discussion Forum

In the 60's and 70's I used to see her regularly in Cape Vincent, NY when that Coast Guard Station was operating. I got a picture somewhere I'll post if I can find it. Nice to know where she is.

For those interested, there is a brief history of the ship and the basic specifications at the following website.

http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Maple_1939.pdf

She was transferred to the EPA for pollution research on the Lakes in 1973, and then was sold. She apparently was still in St. Ignace, Michigan until at least 2005.

Anyone up in the Mackinaw area know any more about her?

AFAIK she is owned by the same guy who runs the tour boat 'Iriquois' (which is an ex-Arnold Line ferry from many years ago). As stated in a previous post, he had bought her to convert her into some type of harbor dinner cruise boat, but ran out of money.

She was a little museum ship at St Ignace at one time. Then word was that she was purchased by someone who moved her to Lake Michigan and had grand plans to use her as an excursion vessel of some sort. Then her historic qualities were irreparably damaged when she was gutted to follow the grand plans. Then the money ran out. The usual story. She was a nice little ship that was probably quite historic. Now she's just an old knackered ship.

The last time I looked at it, in January of last year, it appeared that someone was working on it, but I have not checked back since. I did contact the Port of Milwaukee regarding it, and they had no information as it is tied up at a private dock. I will be up in Milwaukee this week a couple of times, so I will have to check on it.

From the Coast Guard website:

Maple was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1973 and turned over to the US Navy and then ultimately, to the EPA. She was considered to have been a lighthouse tender. The EPA operated the boat until 1995 on the Great Lakes when she was again placed out of service and sold. It doesn't say who she was sold to or note any disposition since 1995.

Google maps also has a good view. Using the map tools in the upper left, you can move the person icon to be standing on the 1st Street bridge, and you can pan over to look at the former Maple. She appears in the Google shot to be painted in red lead and be boarded up. Didn't know this one was still around. Anyone know her status?

Does anybody know the status of this vessel. It doesn't look too good from satellite views?

Yes, she's the former USCGC Maple (WAGL-234).

I think its the old Coast Guard tender Maple.

I was following the river in Milwaukee south near South 1st street bridge and there appears to be the rusting hulk of a fairly large vessel of some kind at a boatyard right east of the bridge. This can be clearly seen on bing maps and the vessel is very visable. Does anybody know what this thing is? It appears to have an engineroom skylight like old steam ships aft of the stack.