Our Blog
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society is a self-supported nonprofit organization committed to collecting, preserving, archiving, and sharing materials that illuminate the rich heritage of the Great Lakes maritime industry. Check out our blog to dive deep into the fascinating narratives and events that have shaped the Great Lakes maritime legacy.
ON THIS DAY: THE FOOL KILLER SUBMARINE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE CHICAGO RIVER
December 20, 2024By James Heinz Some of my best stories come from what I find in the files of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society when I am looking for something else. When I found there was a file with the title “FOOL KILLER” on it, I knew I had to write a…Read more
THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN SANTA LIVES ON
December 18, 2024By James Heinz Photo above is the USCG MACKINAW sailing past Racine to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago. Photo by Bob Jaeck. One of the enduring legends of the Great Lakes is the story of the schooner ROUSE SIMMONS, the famous Christmas Tree Ship. Her captain, Herman Schuenemann, became…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Christmas Comes to Chicago
December 17, 2024By Chris Winters A young volunteer helps deliver Christmas trees to Chicago harbor aboard the latter-day "Christmas Tree Ship," icebreaker Mackinaw WAGB 83, December 2005. Chris Winters is a Trustee and Vice President of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, a well-known author and has been a photojournalist for over 25 years. …Read more
A CELEBRATION OF A FORGOTTEN FISHING COMMUNITY
December 13, 2024By James Heinz Milwaukee’s port facilities are centered on the peninsula known as Jones Island. Today it is totally industrialized. No one lives there. The only sounds you hear all year long are the sounds of a busy port. But once a year on the first Saturday of August a…Read more
THE GREAT LAKES OLDEST SHIP VISITS MILWAUKEE
December 13, 2024By James Heinz For many years the 1906 built ST. MARY’S CHALLENGER was the oldest self-propelled ship on the Great Lakes. She lost that title in 2013 when she was cut down into a humble barge, part of an Integrated Tug Barge unit. Photo above: ALPENA backing into Milwaukee…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Lobster and turkey are on the menu
November 28, 2024By Chris Winters Steward Sam Al-Samawi plates lobster and turkey for members of the ST. MARYS CHALLENGER's crew, downbound on Lake Michigan, Thanksgiving Day, 2005. -- The ST. MARYS CHALLENGER has been a Milwaukee regular under many names. Built as the WILLIAM P. SNYDER in 1906 at Ecorse, Mich. by…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Wheelsman enjoys a quiet meal
November 28, 2024By Chris Winters Wheelsman Glen Heck enjoys Thanksgiving dinner aboard the EDWARD L. RYERSON, upbound on Lake Superior, November 2006. -- The EDWARD L. RYERSON was built in 1960 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. for Inland Steel. She measured 730 x 75 x 39 and was built…Read more
WMHS’s VISIT TO THE UW-MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES
November 25, 2024By James Heinz On October 3, 2024, I and 24 other members of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society met for a tour of the UW Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences (SFS) 600 East Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee. UW Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences Members who attended included myself, former WMHS…Read more
MORE ON THE MYSTERY SHIP OF MANITOWOC’s MARINA
November 23, 2024By James Heinz My article on the former Norwegian Rescue Vessel HALTEN which has been moored at the Manitowoc marina for at least the past 20 years drew unprecedented number of responses with further information about the ship, including from Norway, the country that built it. Never underestimate the power…Read more
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING LIGHTHOUSE
November 18, 2024By James Heinz The current North Point lighthouse in Milwaukee’s Lake Park is not the first lighthouse to be built there. A previous lighthouse was built nearby in 1855. It was abandoned after the current lighthouse was built in 1888. However, the original lighthouse was not dismantled or moved. And…Read more
WMHS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY
November 16, 2024By James Heinz The North Point lighthouse in Milwaukee has a number of artifacts on display on loan from the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society. These include navigational instruments, shipwreck artifacts, and memorabilia from the steamer SS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. And now another WMHS artifact is on display there, too. North Point…Read more
November 10, 1975
November 11, 2024November 10, 1975. The day the EDMUND FITZGERALD was lost along with her captain and crew. One of those historic moments where you will always remember what you were doing when you heard the news. The EDMUND FITZGERALD was built by the Great Lakes Engineering Works at River Rouge, Michigan,…Read more
