On This Day In History

During World War II a class of small coastal and inter-island freighters were constructed  for the Army Transportation Corps.  This was a steel-hulled, diesel-powered ship, 177 feet in length and equipped with two hatches and central booms.  On April 16, 1944, Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation launched a small coastal freighter at its yard in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. She was originally designated FP-344, but that was later changed to FS-344.  

click on images for a closer look

Photo above is fitting out of FP-344 at the Kewaunee Shipbuilding & Engineering Corp. Shipyard, Kewaunee, Wisconsin circa July 1944. 

Photo below is her sister ship FP-343 underway.

In 1966 FS-344 was transferred to the Navy and renamed USS PUEBLO.  Refitted at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard she was crammed with sophisticated electronic gear and converted to an Auxiliary General Environmental Research (AGER) vessel – a class recognized by few naval officers.  PUEBLO (AGER-2) was a signals intelligence collector – a spy ship.  Jointly operated by the National Security Agency and Naval Intelligence, she carried a crew of 83, 30 of whom were communication technicians.

PUEBLO’s first mission, off the coast of North Korea, was considered low risk. She was to monitor electronic transmissions and observe naval activity around North Korean ports. Orders required her to remain in international waters at least one mile beyond the 12-mile territorial limit. Thus far the North Koreans had not interfered with similar missions.

However, on January 23, 1968, North Korean patrol boats surrounded PUEBLO intent on capturing the lightly armed vessel.  With a top speed of 13 knots, she could not escape. Her captain could only stall for time as the crew worked furiously to destroy documents and equipment. Despite urgent requests, neither the Navy nor Air Force sent help. After about two hours, the North Koreans were able to board PUEBLO.  One crewman lay dying and several were injured.

The North Koreans took their prize to the port city of Wonsan. The crew was taken prisoner. They were beaten and tortured. 

President Johnson considered and rejected a military response. He was unwilling to sacrifice the crew. So their release was negotiated. 

The USS PUEBLO was never returned. It is currently on display at the Victorious War Museum in Pyongyang, North Korea. However, she remains a commissioned vessel in the U.S. Navy.  Commissioned May 13, 1967, PUEBLO is the second oldest in the fleet behind only the USS CONSTITUTION, commissioned October 1, 1797.

Kewaunee Shipbuilding stopped building boats when the war ended.  It did continue doing steel fabrication work.  The company changed its name to Kewaunee Engineering on January 1, 1947.  Oshkosh Truck acquired the business in1999.  What began as the Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Company is now Kewaunee Fabrications and operates as a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation.

Detailed story linked here. 

Getting Away From It All

Doggo absolutely loves going to the kennel - for either a daycare day at the spa or an extended boarding if we're traveling or out of town.

Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare.  And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good.  She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends and get away from it all.

I'd bet that for her it is how I felt as a kid and got a chance to go away for day camp or one or more weeks at a time to scout or church camp.  

Last weekend she got the boarding treatment and following that a day-off while I taught a class.  

Photos from the kennel's Face Book page.  Except the last one - all tuckered-out....

 

Martime Trivia

Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society

I have blogged about this tid-bit before.

On this day in history; April 16, 1944, Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation launched a small coastal freighter at its yard in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. 

Built for the Army Transportation Corps, she was originally designated FP-344, but that was later changed to FS-344. In 1966 FS-344 was transferred to the Navy and renamed USS PUEBLO. 

At the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard she was crammed with sophisticated electronic gear and converted to an Auxiliary General Environmental Research (AGER) vessel – a class recognized by few naval officers. PUEBLO (AGER-2) was a signals intelligence collector – a spy ship. Jointly operated by the National Security Agency and Naval Intelligence, she carried a crew of 83, 30 of which were communication technicians.

Getting Away From It All

On a recent overnight to the Naked City Doggo scored a couple of days at the dog spa.  Doggie Day Care between you and me.

There's hardly nothing she doesn't like more than running with her pack of canine homies.

Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare.  And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good.  She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with others and we catch a break for a day to spend with family  

Dropped her-off on the way out of town.  Picked her up on the way home before COB.

That dog with the curly white coat is Mick.  Ruby and Mick first met last spring during puppy class.  They've become fast friends and seek each other out at every day care opportunity.  

Thick as thieves they are.... 

 

With the exception of the last photo all images are from the Red River Face Book page.

Getting Away From It All

More action photos of our Red Rocket - Ruby the Golden Retriever.  

Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare.  And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good.  She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with others and we catch a break for a day to square-away a class, projects and chores.

 

Dropped her-off Saturday morning for an overnight; photos from the kennel's Face Book page.....

Getting Away From It all

 

 

Got together for a Sibling Day with Jill's side of the family last week.  Consequently, Doggo scored a day at the spa.  Doggie Day Care between you and me.

There's hardly nothing she doesn't like more than running with her pack of canine homies.

Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare.  And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good.  She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with others and we catch a break for a day to spend with family  

Dropped her-off on the way out of town.  Picked her up on the way home before COB.

That dog with the curly white coat is Mick.  Ruby and Mick first met last spring during puppy class.  They've become fast friends and seek each other out at every day care opportunity.  Thick as thieves they are.... 

*Photos from the kennel's Face Book page

Ever See A Ghost?

Yesterday I was out running errands and stopped at the Havegärd Bird Feed Outlet Store to replenish my dwindling stock of wild bird seed.  If you've never been be sure to check them out.  Likely the best selection and pricing for large quantities of bird feed and supplies on the planet.  East side of highway 42/57 just south of the Sturgeon Bay.  I digress.  

 

Upon entering the store the guy at the register asked if I had something to take a photo.  To which I replied:  You bet.  Got my phone with me.  Gesturing, he said to go outside and checkout what was perched on the utility pole at the side of the road.

click on image for a closer look

Meet Bubo scandiacus.  A snowy owl.  Yowza cool!  It is not unusual to learn of reports of them appearing along the Lake Michigan coastline in the winter months; yet observing one in person is an event worthy of celebration.

This is a big bird tipping the scales at 3.5 to 6.5 pounds.  Standing up to 28 inches in height and with a wingspan of up to 4.8 feet this is the largest owl in North America.  It sports bright white plumage, large yellow eyes and larger feathered talons.  Home territory to this bird is the treeless tundra above the Arctic Circle.  From time-to-time small numbers may migrate to southern Canada and the northern reaches of the contiguous United States.  Larger numbers infrequently show-up in an event called an owl ‘irruption’.  

What is the cause of an irruption?  Possibly fluctuations in food supply.  It is hypothesized that a temporary abundance of lemmings allows the owls to successfully raise large families and then these young owls disperse southward by the hundreds to avoid competition with older birds for winter territories.  Similarly, shortages of prey prompt these birds to move from their normal wintering grounds.

These owls hunt during daylight hours and will roost on almost anything. They like flat open land (it’s what they know), sometimes sitting on the ground, but more often on hay bales, fence posts, telephone posts, rock piles, muskrat houses, tree snags, silos, and other structures.  Snowy Owls will dine upon almost any live thing that moves - voles, mice, lemmings, waterfowl, rabbits, muskrats, weasels, and pigeons. Other bird species are taken as well. They swallow small prey whole.

 

It is notoriously challenging to estimate population numbers for this iconic species.  Nevertheless, recent data suggests that the snowy owl population is much smaller than previously thought and declining.  This bird is now listed as vulnerable to global extinction.

 

Because these birds are not accustomed to seeing humans they likely will appear fearless in your presence.  Approach them with caution and observe them at a distance.  Do not flush them.  The rare sighting of this beautiful bird can be a once in a lifetime experience.  Sorta like seeing a ghost.

 

Learn more about snowy owl sightings near you here.

Getting Away From It All

Kennel call.

More photos from our delicate flower's recent stays and running with her pack pals

Red River K9.....

Getting Away From It All

Kennel call.

More photos from our delicate flower's stay and running with her pack pals.

Red River K9..... 

 

Getting Away From It All

More action photos of our Red Rocket - Ruby the Golden Retriever. 

Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare.  And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good.  She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with others and we catch a break for a day to square-away a class, projects and chores.

Dropped her-off Friday morning for a weekend running with the pack.  Picking her up this afternoon.

Photos from the kennel's Face Book page.....