Fish Tugs of the Greatest Lake
Jolene
JOLENE 248708 Built by Burger Boat Co. in 1945 for Joseph Felbinger, Chicago, Ill., the 55 ft. x 14 ft all steel vessel was equipped with a 100-120 hp Kahlenberg oil engine. MVUS lists Felbinger as owner until 1974, Marie Wisocki, Chicago, 1975-1981; Jeffrey Furness, Michigan City, Ind., in 1989, and Paragon Fish Corp.(Dan Anderson), Milwaukee, up to the present. Furness was the owner for a number of years, and repowered with a Volvo diesel. Anderson has repowered with a Caterpillar D3406 diesel, and still owns the boat.
The JOLENE made news in August, 2006, when the boat freed the grounded 68-foot yacht of basketball star Latrell Sprewell, after unsuccessful attempts by the Coast Guard and the Milwaukee Police harbor unit.
When the Jolene was built and fished out of Chicago, my Dad was a captain (circa 1950 - 1958). He and my uncle fished from the Chicago out to Lake Michigan, even in ice. My Uncle eventually bought the Fishery. I remember my Dad taking me down there and flipping me into the side door to see the boat when I was about 7 years old. Hard to believe that she is still fishing today!
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