Return of an old friend
Sundew stops in Houghton
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HOUGHTON -- Sundew -- US Coast Guard Cutter, WLB-404 was in Houghton Saturday and for a visit and tours before heading back to its home port of Duluth. The Coast Guard Cutter Sundew is no longer active as a military vessel -- it was decommissioned on May 27, 2004 -- but has been Privately owned since 2009 and for the past 17 years has been used for leisure activities, rather than serving in an official capacity.
Chief Engineer Shawn Draves said Houghton was the last stop on a tour of Lakes Michigan and Superior that included visits to Grand Haven, Charleviox, Mackinaw City, Rogers City, Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette. He said the crew of 29 is made up exclusively of volunteers. Draves is certainly familiar with the Sundew. Not only has he been a part of crew of the privately-owned ship for 17 years, but prior to that he served two tours while enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. “As a matter of fact, I retired on her,” Draves said.
The Sundew is known for its durability as well as its longevity. Owner and Captain Jeff Foster said “of the 39 C-class buoy tenders built, all but one in Duluth, she is the the only one still sailing.”
Sundew was a 180-foot sea going, C-class buoy tender. She was built by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. She was launched on 8 February 1944 and commissioned on 24 August 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $861,589. She was decommissioned on May 27, 2004, after 60 years of service.
Foster a former trucking executive, said she was intended to be used as a museum ship in Duluth. “It just didn’t work out for that. I had a factory in Duluth with a 700 ft. deck, so they came after me. The owner since November of ’09, Foster stressed the significance of the all volunteer male and female crew. “They’re all dedicated but it does present some challenges. This isn’t anybody’s job, we aren’t getting paid, so we have to adjustments for families, children and grandchildren.
Sundew is now taken out on the lakes for leisure activities when not docked for public viewing. While she is still quite sea worthy Foster says they stay pretty close to home. “After 17 years, we’ve never been very from from Duluth.”
One of the things that keeps the volunteer crew coming back is the reception they receive from people anxious to tour the former Coast Guard cutter. “Everywhere we go, the reception is fantastic,” Draves said. “We’re treated like rock stars.” Over the coarse of the summer thousands of people make it a point to come on board. “We don’t charge for anything and in Grand Haven we had 1.400 people come aboard in just four hours.”
Sundew has made several stops in Houghton over the years and if Draves has his way, those stops will continue. “The people here are very gracious, the hospitality is fantastic.” He added there is one incentive that will bring Sundew and her crew back to Houghton. “The pickled eggs at the B&B are incredible.”