[1] The Katherine V. was built by Henry Vincent of Rogers City, Michigan in 1928[3] for Charles A. Vogelheim, and named for his wife and daughter.

The vessel is one of about 900 boats that were in the Great Lakes gill net fishing fleet.

She is unique in that she spent her entire fishing career in Lake Huron waters off the northeastern Lower peninsula.

She is also a splendid example of wooden ship building methods and skills that were once common among the craftsmen of this region.

[5] In 1931, the Katherine V. came to the assistance of another fishing tug, The Tramp, which became locked in ice that was 20 feet (6.1 m) thick.

The Katherine V. and Tramp resumed their plans to catch fish, but the duo eventually had to return.

Both vessels left a watchman on duty at night in case the wind decided to change course.