Our Heritage
Henry August Koski was born in Jacobsville, Michigan in 1895. Originally he was a commercial fisherman with his brothers John, Richard and Edward. In 1932 he lost nine miles of gill nets during one of the violent storms that can occur on Lake Superior. At this point, even though the Great Depression was on, and his wife Anna had just delivered their third child, he felt that he should try his dream---to have his own boat shop. And so, he started the Portage Entry Boat Works. He was the sole owner, although on occasion he would hire one or both of his brothers (Edward and Richard) to work with him, if the demand required it. His wife (my mother) covered the contractual and financial business aspects.
Early in the history of the Portage Entry Boat Works, he designed and build the "Peter A" for the Anderson Fisheries of Marquette, Michigan. This successful, major accomplishment went far to establish the Boat Works as one of the premier boat shops in the area. Henry went to Kentucky to select the blue oak that was used in the construction of the "Peter A." The local personnel, who loaded the railroad flatcar(s) felt my father was a fair and hard-working man, so they added a small token of their appreciation amongst the lumber---a jug of "white lightning." Although my father did not drink, he appreciated the gesture.
"Edward I" was the typical type of fishing boat that Henry designed and built for the commercial fishermen in the Keweenaw Penninsula area. This boat, built for brother Edward, included the "sleigh-runner" bow to climb upon the fall/winter ice for ice-breaking; and, was covered with galvanized steel sheeting to protect the wooden hull from the ravages of ice.
In addition to building local fishing craft, the Portage Entry Boat Works was also a large supplier of lighthouse tender boats for the Lighthouse Service (later incorporated into the Coast Guard). Mr. St. Andre was the local Lighthouse Keeper at the time, and part of his responsibility was to inspect the quality and progress of Lighthouse Service boats under construction at the Boat Works. In those days, before the advent of helicopters, my father designed and built (after a competitive review) a double-ended skiff with runners for use to rescue ice fishermen unfortunate enough to be caught on an ice flow. Years later while working in the US Navy Curtis Bay, Maryland shipyard during WWII, he saw an expanded version being built for the protection of the Aleutian Islands. Unfortunately, not having a Naval Architects license, he was not able to protect his design.
Just prior to WWII, Henry designed and built a pleasure yacht for the president of the Union Construction Company. The Union Construction Company was working on dredging the Portage Entry channel, and straightening the channel at the old Palosaari farm. When the company began to use the yacht as a work tug, my father approached the president with the suggestion to have the Boat Works design and build a work tug to move the pipeline barges. The result was the 45 foot "Sheryl Denise," styled after the work tugs used in the New York City harbor, fantail and all. Through his involvement with the management of the Union Construction Company, my father was instrumental for the filling of the Portage Entry lowland into the current topography.
Henry designed and built a wide range of wooden boats---sailboats, glass bottom boats to view lake bottoms, a one piece boat for car-top use by hunters and pleasure fishermen (well before the advent of fiberglass or epoxy) besides the fishing craft and work and pleasure craft mentioned before. Not to forget the large number of outboard runabouts and rowboats of different sizes and shapes, that were built over the years.
My father's dream came true---he certainly became a successful boat builder. His talent and ability far surpassed his eighth grade education. I am proud to be his son. Although the Portage Entry Boat Works is no more, the memory never dies.
Alan Koski, Henry's son
July 8, 2001
Henry August Koski was born in Jacobsville, Michigan in 1895. Originally he was a commercial fisherman with his brothers John, Richard and Edward. In 1932 he lost nine miles of gill nets during one of the violent storms that can occur on Lake Superior. At this point, even though the Great Depression was on, and his wife Anna had just delivered their third child, he felt that he should try his dream---to have his own boat shop. And so, he started the Portage Entry Boat Works. He was the sole owner, although on occasion he would hire one or both of his brothers (Edward and Richard) to work with him, if the demand required it. His wife (my mother) covered the contractual and financial business aspects.
Early in the history of the Portage Entry Boat Works, he designed and build the "Peter A" for the Anderson Fisheries of Marquette, Michigan. This successful, major accomplishment went far to establish the Boat Works as one of the premier boat shops in the area. Henry went to Kentucky to select the blue oak that was used in the construction of the "Peter A." The local personnel, who loaded the railroad flatcar(s) felt my father was a fair and hard-working man, so they added a small token of their appreciation amongst the lumber---a jug of "white lightning." Although my father did not drink, he appreciated the gesture.
"Edward I" was the typical type of fishing boat that Henry designed and built for the commercial fishermen in the Keweenaw Penninsula area. This boat, built for brother Edward, included the "sleigh-runner" bow to climb upon the fall/winter ice for ice-breaking; and, was covered with galvanized steel sheeting to protect the wooden hull from the ravages of ice.
In addition to building local fishing craft, the Portage Entry Boat Works was also a large supplier of lighthouse tender boats for the Lighthouse Service (later incorporated into the Coast Guard). Mr. St. Andre was the local Lighthouse Keeper at the time, and part of his responsibility was to inspect the quality and progress of Lighthouse Service boats under construction at the Boat Works. In those days, before the advent of helicopters, my father designed and built (after a competitive review) a double-ended skiff with runners for use to rescue ice fishermen unfortunate enough to be caught on an ice flow. Years later while working in the US Navy Curtis Bay, Maryland shipyard during WWII, he saw an expanded version being built for the protection of the Aleutian Islands. Unfortunately, not having a Naval Architects license, he was not able to protect his design.
Just prior to WWII, Henry designed and built a pleasure yacht for the president of the Union Construction Company. The Union Construction Company was working on dredging the Portage Entry channel, and straightening the channel at the old Palosaari farm. When the company began to use the yacht as a work tug, my father approached the president with the suggestion to have the Boat Works design and build a work tug to move the pipeline barges. The result was the 45 foot "Sheryl Denise," styled after the work tugs used in the New York City harbor, fantail and all. Through his involvement with the management of the Union Construction Company, my father was instrumental for the filling of the Portage Entry lowland into the current topography.
Henry designed and built a wide range of wooden boats---sailboats, glass bottom boats to view lake bottoms, a one piece boat for car-top use by hunters and pleasure fishermen (well before the advent of fiberglass or epoxy) besides the fishing craft and work and pleasure craft mentioned before. Not to forget the large number of outboard runabouts and rowboats of different sizes and shapes, that were built over the years.
My father's dream came true---he certainly became a successful boat builder. His talent and ability far surpassed his eighth grade education. I am proud to be his son. Although the Portage Entry Boat Works is no more, the memory never dies.
Alan Koski, Henry's son
July 8, 2001