The Historic Coast Guard Cutter Sundew paid a visit to the Houghton city waterfront this past weekend on its way from the annual Coast Guard festival in Grand Haven to its home port in Duluth. The vessel, a 180-foot Iris-class seagoing buoy tender, was commissioned in 1944, during the second world war and served the United States Coast Guard until 2004, assisting with maintenance to aids-to-navigation and light icebreaking duty.
In 1958, while based out of Charlevoix, Michigan, the Sundew responded to the infamous sinking of the Carl D. Bradley, rescuing two survivors from the stricken freighter.
After serving her country, Sundew began a new life as a museum ship, until 2009, when she was sold to private interests. Now, she has set sail once more, providing education on a lesser-known part of the country’s history. The operators of the ship have plans to use her to assist the Coast Guard Auxiliary in their operations, letting the Sundew resume what she does best, helping those in need.
Those interested in details of the USCGC Sundew can find more information here. If interested in lending a hand to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, more information is available here.
