Items from Richard Eichler photo albums
2021.06.10
"The Harrington Boathouse and adjacent docks were originally a U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries research vessel base. Locals dubbed the site “Government House.” Throughout the 1960s, the research vessels "Cisco" and "Kaho" regularly departed on research excursions lasting days or weeks. During these excursions, federal fishery biologists gathered information about various fish species, such as their population, sizes, growth rates, food supply and spawning locations. The vessels also assessed water quality and other environmental information. Because this research required catching fish, local residents who fished commercially also served as crew members. As fish stocks dwindled, the state began prioritizing recreational over commercial fishing. In 1970, the Commercial Fisheries Bureau was transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife. With this change, the focus of the research also shifted to recreational fishing." -- Source: "Bounty & Bust Commercial Fishing in Saugatuck-Douglas, 1860-1970"
1845 Fishing, commercial
Winthers, Sally
2021.06
Demerest, David 1953-Hebert, MarilynDemerest, Marvin Eugene "Demmy" 1928-2020
Donation
Demmy Demerest acquired four photo albums complied by Richard Eichler, a captain of the "Cisco." The men were friends. Demmy's children speculated he received the albums after Eichler's passing in 2006. The "Cisco" traveled all over the Great Lakes so all but two items (removed and cataloged here) were relevant to Saugatuck. The albums were donated to the archives of the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven in 2021.
005 A+B Nautical History
Eichler, RichardU.S. Bureau of Sports Fisheries and WildlifeU.S. Bureau of Commercial FisheriesDemerest, Marvin Eugene "Demmy" 1928-2020Cisco (ship)Harrington, Clare 1917-1999
06/13/2021
03/27/2025