Russel Brothers Limited OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO Steelcraft Boat Builders
| Fralue / Nancy A. Lee
Steel diesel fishing tug [43E3114] built by Russel Brothers, Owen Sound. Never registered but numbered and named Fralue 1939 – 1974; acquired by Lee Marine and renamed b) Nancy A. Lee 1974 –present. Dimensions 40' x 11' x 4'; 8.9 gt; 7 n.t. Operates for Lee Marine, of Port Lambton for the, occasional piloting (putting local captains on and off), some light towing and a bit of excursion cruising. George Lee, co-owner. Photo taken at Leeland Gardens. See clipping file for pics and data sheet courtesy of Capt. George Lee. Shaun Vary Notes: Built at Owen Sound in 1939; launched at Nanticoke in the spring of 1940 Built for George Hedges. Converted to a Tow Tug. George Lee Notes: Licensed July 18, 1941. |
From Great Lakes Fisherman, Aug., 1987. Gerry Ouderkirk Collection.
George Lee Notes: We bought her from Barry May Fisheries in 1974 while she was in Wheatley. Francis / Luella, She was my teacher in public school for awhile. George and Luella made the drive to Port Lambton around 1984 just to see the boat. I took them for a ride....made his day...and mine.
George Lee posted to Great Lakes Fish Tugs
February 26, 2016.
Nancy A. Lee, formerly the fish tug Fralue following conversion to a tow tug. Built in 1939 by Russel Bros. for George Hedges who fished her on Lake Erie and Lake Superior. We purchased her in 1974 from Barry May Fisheries in Wheatley. Plans were to remove the house and truck the hull to Port Lambton until a local fisherman offered to run her up partially cut. She is currently powered by a T6-354 Perkins diesel installed in 1968. Previously powered by a Mack diesel, Ford diesel and at one time was twin screw using a pair of gasoline engines.
Excerpt from "North Shore Legacy: Converted Fish Tugs of Lake Erie" by Shaun R. Vary.
Published by Kettle Creek Press, 17 Murray St., St. Catherines, ON L2M 1S3.
George Lee posted in Great Lakes Fish Tugs
February 6, 2016: Fish tug 'Larry John' winters here in 1977 after coming down from Goderich. The 'Nancy A. Lee' is the former fish tug 'Fralue', built by Russel Bros. in 1939. She still resides at the same dock today. In the background is the former Navy tug 'Glenlivet II' which is now Nadro Marine's 'Vigilant 1'. Click to enlarge. |
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Shaun Vary notes: This is a Bill Moran photo of Nancy A. Lee, taken April 15, 1995 at Port Lambton, On. It is the best image of her in my collection.
SV notes: This is a George Lee photo of his Nancy A. Lee model, which I built for him several years ago. It is of bristol board construction. The photo was actually taken aboard the real tug!
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Nancy Lee, underway St. Clair River.
Photo by George Lee, boatnerd.com.
April 9, 2016. George Lee painting the tug named for his mother. Photo courtesy George Lee.
George comments: "We bought her from Barry May Fisheries in 1974 while she was in Wheatley."
Photo by George Lee, boatnerd.com.
Nov. 28, 2017. Nancy A. Lee lifted out for rudder repair and fresh paint. Matt Marsh Crane Service from Bothwell did a quick and efficient job. The scale on the crane read 11 tons. Photos courtesy George Lee. Click to enlarge.
Aug. 2018: Nancy A. Lee is now for sale. $29,000. Port Lambton. 40' x 12' x 3' Russel Bros. built in 1939 as a fish tug. T6-354 Perkins diesel 165 hp. Tonnage: 8 gross, 7 net. 130 gal. fuel. Phone: 519-892-3368.
https://brantford.craigslist.ca/boa/d/tug-for-sale/6671129844.html
George Lee comments: "The 1939 Russel Bros.built Nancy A. Lee (formerly Fralue) was sold September 6, 2018 by Lee Marine Limited to Bartech Rigging & Machinery Movers Inc. from Wallaceburg, Ontario. Interesting to note, Kevin Barclay is a neighbour of mine so the tug will be moored in the same canal as she has been during the past 44 years." Kevin Barclay, the new owner of the Nancy A. Lee comments: "I am planning on putting her to work, doing light towing for a local marine company."
Mike Cunningham Photo. December 7 at 9:13 PM. Nancy A. Lee at Leeland Gardens, near Port Lambton, ON. George Lee comments: My father developed the Leeland Gardens subdivisdion around 1960.
May 16, 2019. Nancy A. Lee in Port Lambton, ON, photo by Robert Cox.
For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
(519) 371-3333  http://marinerail.com |
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