DeLand, Fla. – Volunteers with the DeLand Historic Trust successfully moved the 140‑ton World War II‑era tugboat known as the Tiger back to Lake Beresford on Oct. 31, placing it less than 600 feet from the shipyard where it was constructed in 1944.
President of the trust, Dan Friend, a DeLand native, said the tugboat spent decades overseas and later sat stuck in mud on the St. Johns River before the recent effort. “She’s been in the water 82 years. It’s time to get out of the water,” Friend explained.
Preserving a forgotten piece of local history
Friend noted that the story of DeLand’s wartime shipbuilding has long been omitted from both national and local histories. “I’m a DeLand native, and I’ve always felt that the World War II story really wasn’t told,” he said. “Our local history books had nothing.” After retiring, he took it upon himself to bring the Tiger home and share its legacy.
The trust’s next step is to devise a plan for moving the tugboat out of the water and creating a permanent memorial. The proposed monument could feature a bronze plaque and a mural that highlights the Tiger and other WWII‑era tugboats built in DeLand.
Fundraising effort
To fund the land purchase and construction of the memorial, the DeLand Historic Trust aims to raise $500,000. “We will sit there until we figure out what’s the next solution,” Friend said, emphasizing the community‑driven nature of the project.
Supporters are invited to an evening honoring veterans and the Tiger’s journey home on Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at American Legion Post 259 in DeBary (470 Summerhaven Drive). The event will include food trucks, a Veteran Artisan Market, a silent auction, historical exhibits, and activities for families.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to preserve DeLand’s maritime heritage and recognize the contributions of local shipbuilders and veterans.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
