FINAL .. UPDATE .. April 13, 2008
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James L. Kuber/Victory Depart Menominee on April 13

On Sunday the pair departed their lay-up/conversion dock at KK Integrated Logistics around 1:30 PM. They were outbound past Menominee North Pier Lighthouse about a half hour later.

Click Here to go to the photos of their departure.

The "Reserve Conversion" project is now officially over, and these will be the last photos on this page. Hope you have enjoyed the documentation.


Christening of the James L. Kuber
(ex-Reserve) was held March 29, 2008.

Click Here to see the christening ceremony photos
and for a link to Tom Kuber's opening speech.


In the beginning ...

The steamer Reserve arrived in Menominee on Aug. 1, 2007. The ship was converted to an ITB (Integrated Tug/Barge) unit at KK Integrated Logistics. I was asked by the owner to take photos of the conversion project each Thursday for the company's records; so this is not a complete photo documentation of the project - just weekly updates. He graciously allowed me to post the photos so everyone could follow the project. Being that these are photos mainly for archive purposes, they are of varying quality - over-exposed in places to show detail, etc. - rather than "artistic" quality. Starting with the Oct. 5 photos, there are be photos from onboard the Reserve! Thank you KK Integrated Logistics for this opportunity to document the process!!





Click Here for Views of the Reserve at Bay Shipbuilding from Dec. 18, 2007 through Jan. 3, 2008.


Now that the notch has been completed, updates will be sporadic as there won't be much to see from here on out. However, the deckhouse still needs to be removed, the port side of the ship needs a new coat of paint, and the barge will eventually be re-named; so, I will update those activities when I can.


The pilothouse of the Reserve was removed on Feb. 25, 2008. Click Here to go to the "Feb. 25" section of this page with a slide show of 30 photos of the pilothouse removal and other photos of the Reserve's new-look.


The pilothouse of the tug, Victory, was also removed, extended and then re-installed between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28. Click Here to go to the "Feb. 26" section of this page with a slide show of 25 photos of the pilothouse removal, extension and re-installing on the Victory..


The tug, Victory, was moved into the notch of the barge, James L. Kuber on April 10, 2008. Click Here to go to the "April 10" section of this page with a slide show of 25 photos of the tug leaving its dock, heading down-river and finally turning into the notch of the James L. Kuber.


















Click on a description to see the photo

This photo gallery will be presented in chronological order AND will be updated each Thursday throughout the project.

Click your Browser's "Back" button to return here


Newest photos are at the bottom of the page - Click Here To Go There

Reserve Arrives in Menominee on August 1, 2007

KK Integrated Shipping (an affiliate of KK Integrated Logistics) brought the Reserve to Menominee to begin work on converting the old steamship into a tug/barge unit. The engines will be removed and a notch will be cut into the back of the ship where the tug, Victory, will push the newly converted unit when finished. The Reserve formerly sailed for Oglebay Norton Company.

Reserve - Passing Menominee North Pier Lighthouse around 12:45 p.m. CDT
Reserve - Inside the piers
Reserve - Close-up
Reserve - Making the turn into the inner harbor
Reserve - In the harbor

Reserve - Close-up of the Pilothouse
Reserve - Heading through the Ogden Street Bridge
Reserve - Looking upriver after the bow passes through the bridge
Reserve - Stern view heading up-river to KK Integrated Logistics
Reserve - Heading for the KK Dock

Reserve - Bow view of the ship with the recently moved Viking I in the background
Reserve - At dock a little later in the afternoon
Reserve - All lit up later that night around 10 p.m.
Reserve - Dockside view on Aug. 2 ... activity already
Reserve - Side view of her classic stern from dockside

Reserve - Stern view from the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Reserve - A view from Mystery Ship Boat Launch (upriver from KK)
Reserve - Close-up of the pilothouse from across the Menominee River
Victory - The tug that will push the new tug/barge unit when finished (stock photo Jan. 2007)
Victory - Oct. 9 view of the tug at KK Integrated Logistics East Dock. Note that the pilothouse has now been raised an extra "notch" (compare to previous photo)


Conversion Photos:

 Aug. 8 & 9 Photos:

Photo #1 - (Aug. 8) Cutting has begun at the ship's stern

Photo #1 - (Aug. 9) Starboard-stern view of the entire ship
Photo #2 - Close-up of the area of the stern which has been cut away
Photo #3 - Another view of the cut-away stern
Photo #4 - ... and one more view of the same area

Aug. 16 Photos:

Photo #1 - Port-stern view from the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #2 - Starboard-stern view at the dock
Photo #3 - Close-up of the cut away area
Photo #4 - Stern view with some of the pieces which have been removed sitting on the dock
Photo #5 - Another close-up of the cut away area

Photo #6 - Another view with the cut away pieces in the foreground
Photo #7 - A different view of the cut away stern
Photo #8 - A huge section of the rounded stern has been removed

Aug. 23 Photos:

Photo #1 - Stern view from Menominee side of the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #2 - Stern view from the Marinette side of the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #3 - Dockside stern view of the cut away area
Photo #4 - Close-up of the cut away area
Photo #5 - A different angle view of the cut away stern
Photo #6 - Another view of the stern with some of the cut away parts in the foreground

Aug. 30 Photos:

Photo #1 - A view of the stern from starboard midship
Photo #2 - Stern view of the cut away area - a lot has been removed in the past week!
Photo #3 - A view of the very stern with the rudder still intact
Photo #4 - A view from astern of the cut away area
Photo #5 - A closer view of the cut away area

Photo #6 - ... and a different view
Photo #7 - A little wider view of the cut away area
Photo #8 - One more view of the area with some cut away pieces on the dock
Photo #9 - Some of the cut away pieces sitting on the dock
Photo #10 - The lifeboats have been removed from the ship
Photo #11 - A view from the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge on Aug. 31

Sept. 5 & 6 Photos:

Photo #1 - A view from port-astern from the Ogden Street Bridge (This photo & the next one from Sept. 5)
Photo #2 - A view from starboard-astern from the Ogden Street Bridge

Photo #3 - A view of the stern from starboard just ahead of the stack (Rest of photos from Sept.6)
Photo #4 - Another (closer) view of the starboard stern from about the rear of the stack
Photo #5 - Starboard side view of the cut-away stern
Photo #6 - A view of the stern from slightly astern
Photo #7 - A full view from astern
Photo #8 - Some of the larger engine room parts that have been removed from the ship

Sept. 13 Photos:

Photo #1 - Starboard side view of the stern from the funnel on back
Photo #2 - A view of the gaping hole in the stern
Photo #3 - Close-up of the same area
Photo #4 - Some of the machinery that has been removed
Photo #5 - Other parts lie across the road from the ship

Photo #6 - More machinery lies on the ground near midship
Photo #7 - The guys are removing furniture from the deckhouse - Hi, Soctt
Photo #8 - Still looking pretty good in this bow-shot
Photo #9 - A close-up view of the starboard-side stern from the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #10 - A close-up of the port-side stern from the bridge (I love a long zoom lens with "steady shot")

Sept. 14 Photos (special edition) - I was invited aboard the ship to take a few photos today (just the last 3):

Photo #1 - More of the stern has been removed since yesterday
Photo #2 - Another view from astern
Photo #3 - A huge engine room item on the dock (you can tell I am not any good at identifying what different things are - sorry)
Photo #4 - This is where the engines and turbines were, the propeller shaft is visible in the center of the photo
Photo #5 - A different look at the same space

Photo #6 - An onboard look at what is left of the stern
Photo #7 - A view from the bridge on Sept. 15 of the cut-away stern
Photo #8 - More engine parts have been removed on Sept. 17

Sept. 20 Photos:

Photo #1 - A view fron astern dockside
Photo #2 - The rudder and rudderpost are still intact
Photo #3 - Side view of the very stern and rudderpost
Photo #4 - A different view of the "hole" in the stern
Photo #5 - A wide view of the starboard side stern - note that the smokestack is gone

Photo #6 - Wide starboard view astern from the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #7 - Wide port view astern from the Ogden Street Bridge

Sept. 26, 27, 28 & 29 Photos:

Photo #1 - Starboard dock-side view of the entire ship (Sept. 26)
Photo #2 - Super-close-up of the cut-away section of the stern (Sept. 26)

Photo #1 - A view from astern, more of the stern has been cut away
Photo #2 - A different view of the stern (it was raining today, please excuse the water spot)
Photo #3 - Close-up of the cut-away stern
Photo #4 - A wider view of the stern from the side
Photo #5 - Looking at the cut-away of the stern from just in back of the self-unloader
Photo #6 - Looking back at the stern of the ship from just ahead of the unloader

Photo #1 - A view of the stern (port side) from the Ogden Street Bridge (Sept. 28)
Photo #1 - Stern view from the Ogden Street Bridge all lit up on the night of Sept. 29

Oct. 5, 6 & 9 Photos:

Photo #1 - View of the stern with new bulkheads being built
Photo #2 - Close-up of the cutaway stern
Photo #3 - Cutting away a chunk of steel where a new bulkhead will be constructed
Photo #4 - A crane lifts the piece that was cut out
Photo #5 - A different view of the cutaway stern

Photo #6 - The new "notch" (for the tug) takes shape
Photo #7 - A new bulkhead is in place (lower right of the photo)
Photo #8 - Area where a new bulkhead will go (where the piece was just cut away)
Photo #9 - A view from inside looking back at the gauges in the old engine room

Photo #1 - Stern starboard-side view from the Ogden Street Bridge on Oct. 6 - note the new piece of bulkhead added to the top-left of the stern (below the ladder & behind the portable lights)
Photo #2 - Stern port-side view from the Ogden Street Bridge on Oct. 6
Reserve & Victory - The tug, Victory (right), made an unexpected stop in Menominee on Oct. 9. It came in pushing the barge, Lewis J. Kuber, with which it is temporarily paired. After dropping the barge at Marinette Fuel & Dock, the tug proceeded to the KK East Dock where it will undergo "a little fine tune-up." The Victory will eventually be paired with the Reserve once its conversion to a barge is complete; so, this is a view of things to come.

Oct. 11 Photos:

Photo #1 - Dockside stern view
Photo #2 - Close-up of the cut-away section
Photo #3 - The notch is taking shape

The following 3 photos are an onboard sequence looking up and forward from left to right at the rear bulkhead work

Photo #4 - Left side view
Photo #5 - Center view
Photo #6 - Right side view

The following 3 photos are an onboard sequence looking down and forward from left to right at the area of the notch

Photo #7 - Left side view
Photo #8 - Center view of the notch
Photo #9 - Right side view

Photo #10 - Looking forward from one deck below
Photo #11 - Looking aft from the same deck with the propeller shaft in the center of the photo
Photo #12 - Looking past the rudder post we see the tug that will eventually be paired with the Reserve - the tug, Victory

Oct. 18 Photos - The engine room console has now been removed:

Photo #1 - Stern view looking into the cutaway section of the stern of the ship
Photo #2 - A little more of a side view of the same area
Photo #3 - Close-up of the area from photo #1 where the 3 portholes are on the forward part of the wall

The following 3 photos are an onboard sequence looking down and forward from left to right at the area of the notch

Photo #4 - Left side view
Photo #5 - Center view of the notch area
Photo #6 - Right side view

Photo #7 - Close-up of the area near the center of Photo #3
Photo #8 - Looking astern from onboard at the rudder and rudder post
Photo #9 - The Builders Plate from when the ship was converted to a self-unloader in 1982
Photo #10 - A view from up top of the empty engine/boiler room
Photo #11 - Another view from slightly to the right of the last photo

Photo #12 - A look at the same area from a couple decks down
Photo #13 - Stern view from the Ogden Street Bridge on Oct. 20

Oct. 25 Photos: - A lot more of the deck was removed this week and the vertical supports for the new notch for the tug are now evident.

Photo #1 - Wide view of the cut-away stern showing more of the deck missing and the vertical notch supports starting to go up
Photo #2 - Close-up view of the same area
Photo #3 - Side view of the cut-away stern (looking a little bare!)
Photo #4 - Looking down at the area of the new notch for the tug and the vertical supports
Photo #5 - Closer look at the same area

Photo #6 - Looking down into the old engine room with the propeller shaft in the center
Photo #7 - A look at the left side of the new notch from above
Photo #8 - A look at the same area from a different angle
Photo #9 - Looking down at the rudder post from several decks above
Photo #10 - Dockside view of the cutaway stern

Photo #11 - Close-up of the same area as a welder prepares to cut away more of the stern
Photo #12 - A view of the ship from the north side of the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #13 - A port side view of the ship from the center of the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #14 - Full port side stern view of the ship from the south side of the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #15 - Same view but over-exposed to show the interior detail of the cut-away stern
Photo #16 - Over-exposed close-up view of the cut-away stern

Photo #1 - Stern view close-up from the Ogden Street Bridge on Oct. 27


Nov. 1 & 3 Photos - The rudder has been removed and the vertical uprights for the tug notch are much more in evidence:

Photo #1 - Stern view with the rudder now removed
Photo #2 - Stern side-view of the cutaway area
Photo #3 - Close-up of the propeller and the empty rudder bracket
Photo #4 - Port-side vertical members form the notch for the tug; the starboard members are also in place
Photo #5 - Base of the notch

Photo #6 - Looking aft at the notch from one deck above
Photo #7 - Looking aft from two decks above
Photo #8 - Close-up of what is left of the stern (starboard-side view)
Photo #9 - Close-up of what is left of the stern (port-side view)
Photo #10 - Looking aft from the level of the base of the notch

Photo #1 - (Nov. 3) Starboard-side stern view from the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #2 - (Nov. 3) A good view of the stern and the cut-away stern from the Ogden Street Bridge
Photo #3 - (Nov. 3) Ultra-close-up of the interior of the stern showing the 6 vertical supports forming part of the notch for the tug - I am not a big fan of "Digital Zoom" but this photo was taken with a fair amount of digital zoom on my new Fuji FinePix S8000fd 8-Megapixel camera with 18X Optical Zoom and 5.1X Digital Zoom. This photo was at full 18X Optical and about 3X Digital Zoom = about 54X total zoom.
Photo #4 - (Nov. 3) Port-side stern view from the Ogden Street Bridge

Nov. 8 Photos - New steel has been welded to the notch verticals as the notch takes shape:

Photo #1 - More steel has been cut away from the very stern of the ship (the propeller looks a little lonesome)
Photo #2 - Side view of the cut-away area
Photo #3 - Port-side view of the new steel forming the base of the notch (from above)
Photo #4 - The center of the base of the notch (from above)
Photo #5 - Port-side of the new steel forming the base of the notch (from the level of the base of the notch)
Photo #6 - New steel at the base of the center of the notch (from base of notch level)

Photo #7 - Starboard-side of the base of the notch (from base of notch level)
Photo #8 - Port-side looking up at the top of the notch (from base level of notch)
Photo #9 - Looking up at the center of the notch (from base level of notch)
Photo #10 - Looking up at the starboard-side of the notch (from base level of notch)
Photo #11 - Looking dead astern from the level of the base of the notch - what's left of the propeller shaft in middle of photo
Photo #12 - Workers power wash the starboard side of the ship in preparation for painting

Nov. 15 Photos: The notch is really taking shape

Photo #1 - The stern has been trimmed down a bit more and the propeller remains
Photo #2 - A view of what is left of the stern (from onboard)
Photo #3 - First in a sequence of 4 photos (from port to starboard) showing the growing steel forming the notch (all photos taken from the starboard stern of the vessel) - here is the port side stern of the vessel (starting with the cutaway hull) with the steel for the notch at the right
Photo #4 - The port side of the notch
Photo #5 - The center of the notch
Photo #6 - The starboard side of the notch

Nov. 22 Photos: The notch is further along and the connector for the tug is installed on the port side

Photo #1 - The propeller remains, but the stern is pretty well dismantled
Photo #2 - Stern view looking toward the notch
Photo #3 - There is more new steel in the notch, and the connector for the tug is taking shape on the prot side
Photo #4 - Close-up of the notch
Photo #5 - The connector on the port side of the vessel's stern

Photo #6 - Close-up of the connector
Photo #7 - Looking dead astern from onboard
Photo #8 - Looking astern (onboard) at the starboard side of the notch (from just ahead of the notch)
Photo #9 - A view astern (onboard) of the port side of the notch and connector (from just ahead of the notch

Nov. 29 Photos: Over the past few weeks the starboard side of the Reserve has been painted.

Photo #1 - Wide view of the stern with the front of the notch now closed in
Photo #2 - Close-up of the notch
Photo #3 - The Reserve's starboard side has been painted! Here is a full length bow view of the ship.
Photo #4 - Newly painted draft marks midship
Photo #5 - The stern from up forward
Photo #6 - A painter puts the finishing touches on the stern

Dec. 1 & 6 Photos:The ship was tarped sometime between Dec. 1 and Dec. 6 for the (relative) comfort of the workers, so there won't be much to see for a while. I'll keep trying, though.

Photo #1 - (Dec. 1) The paint around the anchor pocket near the bow has been touched up
Photo #2 - The starboard side connector for the tug is being installed (the ladder-looking thing to the right)
Photo #3 - A welder works on the new connector

Photo #1 - (Dec. 6) The starboard side connector for the tug is completely in place now (behind the tarp)
Photo #2 - The inside of the stern is stripped right down to the ribs while the propeller shaft is still visible

Dec. 13 Photos: The (above water) notch and tug "rack" are nearing completion

Photo #1 - Stern view
Photo #2 - Stern view close-up - the "rack" where the tug will connect is visible to the left of the tarp on the left side of the photo
Photo #3 - Onboard view of the port-side stern notch showing the "rack" for the tug
Photo #4 - Overhead onboard view of the starboard-side of the notch and "rack"
Photo #5 - Onboard view looking down on the (rear) framing of the front of the notch

Photo #6 - A closer onboard view showing the interior of the notch with the two "racks" toward the stern
Photo #7 - Looking down at the center framing of the notch
Photo #8 - Onboard look at the interior framing of the starboard side of the notch
Photo #9 - Onboard interior view of the framing of the port-side of the notch
Photo #10 - Onboard view of where the port-side of the notch meets the hull
Photo #11 - A worker from Paulsen Marine (Fabrication & Welding) poses in front of the interior of the notch (onboard)

Dec. 17 Photos: The Reserve was towed from Menominee to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI today. There will be no more updates until the ship arrives back in Menominee (before the end of the year).

Photo #1 - The Selvick tug, Jimmy L, hooks up to the bow of the Reserve readying the tow
Photo #2 - Close-up of the ship
Photo #3 - The tug, William C. Selvick, leads the tow stern first away from the KK Dock
Photo #4 - The tow heads for the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Photo #5 - Close-up of the lead tug, William C. Selvick

Photo #6 - Close-up of the cut-away stern of the Reserve
Photo #7 - The stern of the Reserve is about to pass through the bridge
Photo #8 - Steve Haverty waves hello ... or, is it goodbye?
Photo #9 - The bow is about to head through the bridge
Photo #10 - Close-up of the ship safely through the bridge

Photo #11 - The tow passes the old craneship, William H. Donner, at Marinette Fuel & Dock
Photo #12 - The tow heads out of the inner harbor
Photo #13 - The Jimmy L trails the tow acting mostly as a "floating rudder" for now
Photo #14 - The tow is between the piers heading for the bay
Photo #15 - The tow is between the lighthouse and the range light

Photo #16 - Approaching Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
Photo #17 - Alongside the lighthouse
Photo #18 - Past the lighthouse
Photo #19 - The tugs begin turning the ship around
Photo #20 - Once the ship is turned around, the Amelia Desgagnes, which had been waiting out in the bay, heads into port with a load of pig iron for Marinette Fuel & Dock

Photo #21 - The tow heads bow-first to Sturgeon Bay, WI and a date with a dry-dock at Bay Shipbuilding


Dec. 18, 2007 - Jan. 3, 2008 Photos: These photos were taken at Bay Shipbuilding by Wendell Wilke of Algoma, WI while the Reserve was in Sturgeon Bay, WI where the notch for the tug was completed. THANK YOU, Wendell!!

 Photo #1 - The Selvick tug, Jimmy L, leads the Reserve toward the large graving dock at Bay Shipbuilding
Photo #2 - A smaller Selvick tug, Cameron O, leads the tow into the graving dock
Photo #3 - Starboard-side bow view sitting on blocks in the graving dock
Photo #4 - Wider starboard-side bow view
Photo #5 - Straight on bow view
Photo #6 - Port-side bow view sitting high and dry


Jan. 4 & 5, 2008 Photos: The Reserve was towed from Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI back to Menominee on Jan. 4, arriving late in the evening hours.

Photo #1 - Close-up of the Reserve as it lays off Menominee waiting to come into port late in the evening of Jan. 4
Photo #2 - Another view - notice that the notch for the tug has been completed
Photo #3 - Being assisted into the inner harbor by the Selvick tugs, William C. Selvick and Jimmy L (The tug, Susan L, had gone up-river to break ice after assisting the tow from Sturgeon Bay)

Photo #1 - Reserve at its lay-up berth at KK Integrated Logistics on Jan. 5
Photo #2 - Close-up of the completed notch
Photo #3 - Another view of the finished notch
Photo #4 - Stern view close-up of the Reserve

Jan. 24 & 28 Photos: New steel has been added to the area above the notch (not a whole lot to see, but these are the first photos that I have added in a while).

Photo #1 - Stern view of the port side of the Reserve shows new (ribbed) metal above the center of the notch
Photo #2 - Closer view of the area
Photo #3 - (Jan. 28) The deckhouse is being prepared for its eventual removal

Jan. 31 Photos: More new steel has been added to the area above the notch (still not much new to see).

Photo #1 - Port-side view of the stern of the ship
Photo #2 - Close-up of the notch with new steel covering the two doorways (angled areas on each side of the center steel plating above the notch)
Photo #3 - Closer view showing the new steel plating around the doors

Feb. 23 Photos: More new steel has been added to the area above the notch and the deckhouse has been stripped of its radar and main mast (still not a whole lot new to see).

Photo #1 - More new steel and two new bulkhead doors have been added to the area above the notch
Photo #2 - Close-up of the newly added items
Photo #3 - The radar mast and main mast have been removed from the deckhouse, which itself will be removed sometime in the near future


Feb. 25: The pilothouse was removed from the Reserve. Since there are 30 photos in the sequence of the removal of the pilothouse, I decided to put the photos into a slide show.

Click Here to view the slide slide show. To return to this page from within the slide show - hit the UP-facing arrow (when viewing any individual photo) to go back to the thumbnails page and then click on "Return to Reserve Conversion".


Feb. 26: The pilothouse was removed from the tug, Victory. On Feb. 27, they added an 8-foot extension to the bottom of the pilothouse, and by Feb. 28, the new, extended pilothouse was re-installed on the tug. The Victory is the tug that will eventually be paired with the Reserve. I have once again decided to put the photos into a slide show.

Click Here to view the slide slide show. To return to this page from within the slide show - hit the UP-facing arrow (when viewing any individual photo) to go back to the thumbnails page and then click on "Return to Reserve Conversion".


Mar. 10 Photos: The forward cabins were removed today.

Photo #1 - A view of the bow of the ship with the forward cabins on the ground alongside
Photo #2 - A full port-side view of the ship at the dock with the forward cabins and pilothouse on the dock
Photo #3 - A dockside view from just behind the bow where the forward cabins used to be
Photo #4 - A starboard-side bow view from the Ogden Street Bridge - it's beginning to look a lot more like a barge now.
Photo #5 - Dockside view with pilothouse (L) and forward cabins with the Viking I and Reserve (R)

Photo #6 - Close-up of the starboard side of the pilothouse
Photo #7 - Another view of the pilothouse
Photo #8 - View of the back of the forward cabins with Viking I behind
Photo #9 - Port-side view of the forward cabins on the dock
Photo #10 - Close-up view from behind the bow where the forward cabins used to be
Photo #11 - Side view of the bow without the forward cabins

Mar. 17 Photos:

Photo #1 - Port-side bow view of the new hull paint on the Reserve
Photo #2 - Close-up of the pilothouse on the dock
Photo #3 - The forward cabins on the dock alongside the barge
Photo #4 - The frame of the self-unloading boom is painted white
Photo #5 - Stern view of the barge

Mar. 21 & 22 Photos: The tug, Victory, is being painted

Photo #1 - 3/20 - View from across the river as the hull is being painted red
Photo #2 - 3/21 - Dockside view of the newly painted hull
Photo #3 - 3/21 - Close-up of the hull with the new paint

Mar. 24 & 25 Photos:

Photo #1 - 3/24 - The letters "James L. Kuber" are welded to the port-side bow
Photo #2 - 3/24 - The stern housing under the self-unloading boom is painted white
Photo #3 - 3/24 - The pilothouse of the tug, Victory, is getting a new coat of white paint.
Photo #4 - 3/24 - Dockside stern view of the newly painted tug
Photo #5 - 3/25 - The letters "James L." (of James L. Kuber) are welded to the port-side stern.
Photo #6 - 3/25 - The pilothouse of the Victory is fully painted white.

Mar. 26 Photos:

Photo #1 - The letters "James L. Kuber" are welded onto the bow and the "hut" is painted white
Photo #2 - The letters "James L. Kuber" are welded on the stern and the white trim is almost completely painted
Photo #3 - Stern view with "Menominee, MI" welded on the right flank and "James L. Kuber" being welded on the left
Photo #4 - Close-up of the workers welding the letters "James L. Kuber" to the stern of the barge
Photo #5 - Close-up of the letters "Menominee, MI" on the right flank of the stern
Photo #6 - Close-up of the barge from the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Photo #7 - Fleetmates Lewis J. Kuber (L) and Reserve/James L. Kuber (R) looking almost like twins

Mar. 27 Photos:

Photo #1 - The "J" and part of the "A" of "James L. Kuber" are painted black on the port-side bow
Photo #2 - A worker puts the finishing touches on the "A"
Photo #3 - Later that day, the letters "James L. Kuber" have all been painted black on the port-side bow
Photo #4 - The white trim on the port-side stern is complete
Photo #5 - The letters "James L. Kuber" are now welded on the left flank of the stern
Photo #6 - Ladies and Gentlemen ... presenting the James L. Kuber!!

Photo #7 - The tug, Victory, looking good in its new paint!
Photo #8 - Stern view of the tug
Photo #9 - A worker welds "Menominee, MI" under "Victory" on the starboard-side of the stern of the tug
Photo #10 - Close-up of the new lettering on the tug

Mar. 28 Photos:

Photo #1 - The letters "James L. Kuber" have been painted black on the port-side of the stern
Photo #2 - Stern view of the barge with "James L. Kuber" on the left flank and "Menominee, MI" on the right flank painted white
Photo #3 - Close-up of the white lettering of "Menominee, MI" on the right flank of the stern
Photo #4 - Port-side stern corner with "James L. Kuber" on both surfaces

Photo #5 - Tug, Victory, with new white lettering on the starboard-side of the stern
Photo #6 - Dockside view of the tug with the new "KK" logo painted on her starboard side stack
Photo #7 - Close-up of the pilothouse and stack of the tug
Photo #8 - A worker paints the "Y" (of "Victory") with white paint near the starboard-side bow
Photo #9 - Later that afternoon, the starboard-side of the tug is completely painted and looking sharp!!


March 29, 2008 - Christening Day for the James L. Kuber

The newest member of the KK Integrated Shipping fleet, the former steamship, Reserve, was christened shortly after noon on Saturday when a champagne bottle broke against the hull of the barge, James L. Kuber. The ceremony began at high noon with Mr. Tom Kuber, owner of KK Integrated Shipping (and parent company KK Integrated Logistics) took the podium. The ship is named after Tom's older brother, James, who was warmly remembered in the ceremony as a visionary and philanthropist among other things. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) and his wife, Laurie, who both worked hard in the past on getting funding to dredge the Menominee River, were on hand for the ceremony and Bart was also applauded for his work in getting Great Lakes legislation through Congress, over-riding a presidential veto. Father Ron Skufca of Holy Spirit (Catholic) Church was the next to take the podium for the blessing of the vessel and a short speech. The vessel was then christened by two of James Kuber's daughters, Marisa (Kuber) Timm and Laura (Kuber) Letter. A luncheon reception was held immediately following at Riverside Country Club.

 Christening Program - The events of the ceremony
Stats Sheet - The statistical data for both the James L. Kuber and the tug that will push it, Victory

Photo #1 - Stern view of the newly painted tug, Victory
Photo #2 - The forward cabins of the old Reserve were used as the platform for the christening ceremony
Photo #3 - Close-up of the christening penant (The signal flags on the penant spell out "J L K")
Photo #4 - Wide view of the James L. Kuber with the cars of many who attended the ceremony in the foreground
Photo #5 - Mr. Tom Kuber takes the podium to begin the ceremony

Photo #6 - (L to R) Laurie Stupak, MI Congressman Bart Stupak, Father Ron Skufca, James L. Kuber's two daughters, and members of the team who rebuilt the vessel
Photo #7 - Close-up of Tom Kuber as he shares a humorous memory of his older brother, James L. Kuber
Photo #8 - Father Ron Skufca offers a blessing for the ship
Photo #9 - Close-up of Father Ron
Photo #10 - Part of the crowd in attendance

Photo #11 - Another view of the crowd
Photo #12 - James L. Kuber's two daughters, Marisa Timm and Laura Letter, prepare to christen the vessel
Photo #13 - The champagne bottle has just broken against the hull (I was a little slow on the shutter)
Photo #14 - Close-up of the broken champagne bottle against the hull

Photo #15 - A luncheon reception was held at Riverside Country Club in Menominee after the christening ceremony
Photo #16 - Part of a huge crowd of guest inside the country club
Photo #17 - More of the crowd enjoy the surroundings
Photo #18 - A slideshow of some of my previous photos documenting the change from a ship to a barge was on display during the afternoon


Apr. 4 - 9 Photos:

Photo #1 - Even though the vessel is now named James L. Kuber, the Reserve name still lives on (for now) - check out the hatch crane (and the blown-up insert at top left of photo)
Photo #2 - Tug, Victory, from slightly in front
Photo #3 - Full side view of the Victory at the dock
Photo #4 - Stern view of the Victory
Photo #5 - Close-up of the "KK" logo on the stack of the Victory

Photo #6 - On April 5 the name "James L. Kuber" appeared on the starboard side of the bow.
Photo #7 - A view of the tug, Victory, from across the Menominee River on April 7.
Photo #8 - Stern view of the James L. Kuber on April 8 as workers get it ready to go
Photo #9 - Close-up of the ballasted down and ready to go James L. Kuber from across the river on April 9
Photo #10 - James L. Kuber and Lewis J. Kuber ballasted on down on April 9 waiting for their tugs before they depart


April 10: The Victory moved away from its dock and headed down-river to take its place in the notch of its barge, James L. Kuber. The pair was scheduled to leave later that day, but problems arose that kept them in port for the rest of the day. I have once again decided to put the photos into a slide show.

Click Here to view the slide slide show. To return to this page from within the slide show - hit the UP-facing arrow (when viewing any individual photo) to go back to the thumbnails page and then click on "Return to Reserve Conversion".


James L. Kuber/Victory - April 12 - Weather has held the tug/barge in port since Thursday (stern view)
James L. Kuber/Reserve - Bow view of the James L. Kuber with the name "Reserve" still on the hatch crane (it would be cool if they leave it like that)


April 13: The James L. Kuber/Victory departed their lay-up/conversion dock at KK Integrated Logistics on Sunday, April 13, around 1:30 PM (CDT). A half hour later they past Menominee North Pier lighthouse after a resounding 3-Long & 2-Short (horn blast) "Salute" to the many people who were on the pier wishing them Bon Voyage. They headed to Port Inland, MI for their first cargo, a load of limestone. I have once again decided to put the photos into a slide show.

Click Here to view the slide slide show. To return to this page from within the slide show - hit the UP-facing arrow (when viewing any individual photo) to go back to the thumbnails page and then click on "Return to Reserve Conversion".


These are the final photos of the "Reserve Conversion" project.

I hope you all enjoyed the conversion photos. Again, a huge "THANK YOU" to KK Integrated Logistics for allowing me to post these photos!!

Dick Lund

Click Here to read the text of Tom Kuber's opening speech.