The schooner "Dornfontein," built in Saint John, N.B., was launched in August 1918. On her maiden voyage she was becalmed between Grand Manan, New Brunswick and Cutler, Maine. After drifting three days in the Bay of Fundy tides, she was boarded and looted by the crew of a roving German submarine, who, before leaving her, set her afire. Grand Manan fishing boats and a Cutler Coast Guard cutter towed the burning ship to Seal Cove, Grand Manan where the fire was extinguished. Two months later Lyman Pushee of Dennysville examined the charred remains of the "Dornfontein and found that, although badly damaged, her hull was still solid. After purchasing her from the Marine Construction Company, Ltd., of Saint John, he took his crew to Seal Cover to make the "Dornfontein" as seaworthy as possible for the long tow by the tug, "Mary Arnold," from Grand Manan to Dennysville. After launching the "Esther K." the next spring, the Pushee's rebuilt the fired-damaged ship and renamed her the "Netherton."