Reserve Conversion


From ship to barge

James L. Kuber


LAST .. AND FINAL ... UPDATE .. April 13, 2008 ... This Project Is Now Complete!!


To view the photos of the conversion of the ex-Oglebay Norton steamer, Reserve, to the tug/barge, Victory/James L. Kuber ... Click Here

KK Integrated Shipping (an affiliate of KK Integrated Logistics) brought the Reserve to Menominee, MI on Aug. 1, 2007 to begin work on converting the old steamship into an ITB (IntegratedTug/Barge) unit. The engines were removed and a notch was 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.


The James L. Kuber/Victory (ex-Reserve) sailed Sunday, April 13, 2008, from Menominee, MI on its "Maiden Voyage" heading for Port Inland, MI for a load of limestone. With this departure, the "Reserve Conversion" project is over. The photos posted today will be the final ones of this project. Hope you have enjoyed the journey! Click Here to see those photos.

The tug, Victory departed its dock on April 10, 2008 and headed down-river to take its place in the notch of its barge, James L. Kuber (ex-Reserve). The pair were to depart later that day, but some minor problems and weather kept them in port for the rest of the day, and bad weather kept them there an additional two days. Click Here to see those photos.

The christening of the James L. Kuber (ex-Reserve) took place Saturday, March 29, 2008. New photos from the ceremony have been added; and owner Tom Kuber's opening speech from the ceremony was added on April 1.

Added on Feb. 25 - A 30-photo slide show of the removal of the Reserve's pilothouse; and on Feb. 29, a 25-photo slideshow of the removal, addition of an 8-foot extension, and re-installing of the pilothouse of the tug, Victory, which will eventually be paired with the Reserve! ... Click Here to see those Feb. 25 - 29 photos.


Added on Feb. 5, 2008 - Photos of the Reserve while it was dry-docked at Sturgeon Bay, WI. A huge THANK YOU to Wendell Wilke of Algoma, WI for the photos! ... Click Here to see those photos.



NOTE!!! - - -> The Reserve returned to Menominee from Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI on Jan. 4, 2008.


This page will re-direct you to my Main website where there are no banner ads or pop-up ads on any of its pages!! (sorry about having them on this page)

You will also find thousands of other ship photos there, and much, much more!!

Click Here to go to the "Reserve Conversion" page of my Main website.