The Edmund Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from Duluth, Minn., to iron works near several Great Lakes ports. She sank during a Lake Superior storm on Nov. 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29. Great Lakes Marine Collection – MPL/WMHS
We Preserve and Share
Great Lakes Marine History
The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society is a passionate and dedicated non-profit organization committed to preserving the rich history of the Great Lakes. With a membership of 150 individuals, we are proud to be affiliated with the esteemed Milwaukee Public Library.
Uncover Hidden Treasures
The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society boasts an extensive and diverse collection that encapsulates the true essence of Great Lakes marine history. From the early settlers and fur traders to the bustling steamships and iconic lighthouses, each artifact tells a unique story waiting to be unlocked. Immerse yourself in the beauty, magnificence, and hardships of our maritime past.
The Angeline making her way under the Wells Street bridge of the Milwaukee River.
Great Lakes Marine Collection – MPL/WMHS
The Marine Angel Squeezed Down The Chicago River
On March 5, 1953, the converted World War II cargo ship MARINE ANGEL oozed her way through downtown Chicago. A photo taken from a downtown Chicago building immortalized this event.
The MARINE ANGEL was built in 1945 at Sun Shipbuilding in Chester, Penn. She was one of 14 class C4-S-B2 cargo ships known as Victory Ships built at Sun, out of a total of 75 of the C-4 class of ship. These were the largest cargo ships built in World War II by the U.S. Maritime Commission.
Wikipedia tells us that the MARINE ANGEL’s original dimensions were: 11, 1757 gross tons, 520 feet long, 71.6 feet wide, with a draft of 30 feet. A 9,000 hp steam turbine drove her at 17 knots.
According to news reports in the WMHS files, a former crew member who viewed the ship inching down the Chicago River said that the MARINE ANGEL carried 250 soldiers and had a 100 bed hospital tended by doctors and nurses. The ship never saw combat but at one point fired on Japanese fishing boats that were believed to be disguised warships. She was in service from April 1945 to March 1946 as part of Operation Magic Carpet, the return home of eight million World War II service members.
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Photography and tales of shipwrecks and stories of spooky lakes are topics for WMHS’ monthly Book Club
Shipwreck stories extending far beyond their tragic endings is the theme of a book by John Odin Jensen and photography by Wisconsin maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen.
“The dramatic takes of disaster, heroism, and folly become even more compelling when viewed as junction points in history –– connecting to stories about the frontier, the environment, immigration, politics, technology, and industry,” Jensen writes in Stories from the Wreckage.
The book is featured at the October Wisconsin Marine Historical Society Book Club meeting.
Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot Our Planet by TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford is the Club’s pick for November.
This slim, illustrated nonfiction book takes the reader deep into the mysterious, spooky lates around the world. There’s Lake Natron, a Tanzanian lake so briny its waters can mummify any creature that touches its surface. Another is Lake Superior, where the crew of the USS Kamloops, which mysteriously disappeared in 1921, remains somehow almost perfectly preserved. There’s Lake Maracaibo, a Venezuelan tidal bay where a constantly brewing storm sends an average of 28 lightning bolts per second into the water.
The author discusses not only the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change.
The group meets at 7 p.m. via Zoom each month. If you’re interested in joining the club for interesting books and conversation, email WMHS at wmhs@wmhs.org to register.
It’s free to join.
On This Day: Escape From Love Island
In 1890 Milwaukee had a problem: clean drinking water. At that time Milwaukee got its water from wells dug next to outhouses and the polluted Milwaukee River. That year the city of Milwaukee began construction of a water intake crib 3,000 feet off what is now Bradford Beach.
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Discover the rich marine history of the Great Lakes.
Officers 2024
- President: Todd Gordon
- Vice President: Christopher Winters
- Secretary: Janyce T. Hetzel
- Treasurer: Nancy Carpenter
- Executive Director: Suzette J. Lopez
- Past President: Carl Eisenberg
- Milwaukee Public Library Special Collections Coordinator: Kirsten Thompson
Trustees 2024
- Nancy Carpenter
- Jackie Q. Carter
- Carolyn Colwell
- Carl Eisenberg
- Kathie Uttech Gordon
- Todd Gordon
- Joe Grygny
- Stephen Haynes
- James Heinz
- Janyce T. Hetzel
- Peter Hirthe
- Cal Kothrade
- Ashley Lemke
- John M. Murphy
- Dan Patrinos
- William J. Staat
- Kirsten Thompson
- Christopher Winters
- Nancy Carpenter
- Jackie Q. Carter
- Carolyn Colwell
- Carl Eisenberg
- Kathie Uttech Gordon
- Todd Gordon
- Joe Grygny
- Stephen Haynes
- James Heinz
- Janyce T. Hetzel
- Peter Hirthe
- Cal Kothrade
- Ashley Lemke
- John M. Murphy
- Dan Patrinos
- William J. Staat
- Kirsten Thompson
- Christopher Winters
Committees
- Acquisition Curator: James Heinz
- Information Services: Dan Patrinos, Chair
- Maritime Ambassador: Peter Hirthe
- Membership: Stephen Haynes
- Program: Nancy Carpenter, Chair
- Promotion and Marketing: Joe Grygny, Chair
- Shipwreck Ambassador: Cal Kothrade
Newsletter
- Soundings Editor: Kathie Uttech Gordon
Events
October 16, 2024 - Book Club - 7 p.m. Zoom
Stories from the Wreckage by John Odin Jensen
(288 pages, paperback, $25.30 on Amazon)
Amazon: “Every shipwreck has a story that extends far beyond its tragic end. The dramatic tales of disaster, heroism, and folly become even more compelling when viewed as junction points in history—connecting to stories about the frontier, the environment, immigration, politics, technology, and industry. In Stories from the Wreckage, John Odin Jensen examines a selection of Great Lakes shipwrecks of the wooden age for a deeper dive into this transformative chapter of maritime history. He mines the archeological evidence and historic record to show how their tragic ends fit in with the larger narrative of Midwestern history. Featuring the underwater photography of maritime archeologist Tamara Thomsen, this vibrant volume is a must-have for shipping enthusiasts as well as anyone interested in the power of water to shape history.”
The Book Club generally meets via Zoom each month.
Email wmhs@wmhs.org to register for the book club.
October 21, 2024 - Treasures of the Great Lakes - Milwaukee Public Library - 11:30am
Treasures of the Great Lakes
Monday, October 21
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Milwaukee Central Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Krikelas Room, 2nd floor
FREE
Join us for an interactive PowerPoint on Lighthouses
October 21 – Lighthouses: Some Local, Some Haunted
You can decide if they are haunted or not after hearing the haunting tales of keepers who have never given up their important professions of begin beacons guiding many to safety.
November 18, 2024 - Treasures of the Great Lakes - Milwaukee Public Library - 11:30am
Treasures of the Great Lakes
Monday, October 21
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Milwaukee Central Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Krikelas Room, 2nd floor
FREE
Join us for an interactive PowerPoint
November 18 – Edmund Fitzgerald – The Man, The Ship,
The Model and his Maritime History
When Julianna Real Fitzgerald landed in New York in 1836 with her husband and children, little did she know her six sons would become well-known Lake Captains and her great grandson would be a well-respected civic leader with a grand flagship named after him. Enjoy interesting stories and photos of the ship and history the Fitzgerald family has contributed to Great Lakes shipping.
November 20, 2024 - Book Club - 7 p.m. Zoom
* Moved from October due to book delay
Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot our Planet by Geo Rutherford
(96 pages, 8-11 years, hardcover, $24.99 on Amazon)
Amazon: “Dive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes, an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford
“Some of Earth’s strangest—and creepiest—wonders lie deep below the surface. There’s Lake Natron, a Tanzanian lake so briny that its waters can mummify any creature that touches its surface; Lake Maracaibo, a Venezuelan tidal bay where a constantly brewing storm sends an average of 28 lightning bolts per second into the water; and at the bottom of Lake Superior, the crew of the USS Kamloops—which mysteriously disappeared in 1921—remains somehow almost perfectly preserved to this day.
“From Geo Rutherford—the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over 65 million likes!)—comes this thrilling nonfiction book that plumbs the depths of 25 unusual lakes around the world. Readers will learn not only about the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content—including eerie and eye-popping watercolor illustrations in full color—Spooky Lakes takes readers on an adventure through weird and wild waters.
“Includes a glossary, bibliography, author’s note, and index.
Contents Lake Superior (United States and Canada)
Roopkund Lake (India)
Lake Karachay (Russia)
Lake Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
Nyiragongo Lava Lake (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Toxic Lake (Romania)
Yellowstone Hot Springs (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, United States)
Kaindy Lake (Kazakhstan)
Cenotes (Mexico)
Jellyfish Lake (Palau)
Kaali Crater Lake (Estonia)
Kawah-Ijen (Indonesia)
Lake Vostok (Antarctica)
Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)
Lake Nyos (Cameroon)
Pitch Lake (Trinidad)
Spirit Lake (Washington, United States)
Qiandao Lake (China)
Lake Chagan (Kazakhstan)
Underwater Brine Lakes (Gulf of Mexico)
Lake Natron (Tanzania)
Crater Lake (Oregon, United States)
Lake Guatavita (Colombia)
The Shaft (Australia/near Mount Gambier)
Lake Baikal (Russia)”
The Book Club generally meets via Zoom each month.
Email wmhs@wmhs.org to register for the book club.
December 16, 2024 - Treasures of the Great Lakes - Milwaukee Public Library - 11:30am
Treasures of the Great Lakes
Monday, October 21
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Milwaukee Central Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Krikelas Room, 2nd floor
FREE
December 16 – Above & Below: A Few Great LakesShips and their Underwater Resting Places
Experience the peaceful look of a ship after sitting silently on the bottom of a Great Lake, some in over 100 feet of water for more than 100 years. Some are intact, others have spread out on the bottom. Their history above water will be shared as well.