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.
The PAUL L. Tips Over
May 28, 2025On this day May 28, 1910, the Fox River steam paddle boat PAUL L. tipped over on her port side at Riverside Park in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She had been unloading coal at her dock just east of the Main Street Bridge. Too much of her cargo was removed from…Read more
The GEORGE M. COX Meets the Rock of Ages
May 27, 2025On this day May 27, 1933, the GEORGE M. COX was bound from Duluth to Isle Royale on its maiden trip for its new owners and under its new name. The weather was fair and rather calm. The COX was going at full speed. A good time was being had…Read more
THE GREAT LAKES BUILT SHIP THAT FOUND THE TITANIC
May 25, 2025By James Heinz On April 15, 1912, the ocean liner TITANIC sank in the North Atlantic. And on September 1, 1985, a ship built on the Great Lakes found the most famous shipwreck in the world. Photo at top of page: KNORR being built at DeFoe According to WMHS files,…Read more
On this day the WETMORE was launched
May 23, 2025On this day May 23, 1891, the whaleback CHARLES W. WETMORE was launched at Superior, Wisconsin, by the American Steel Barge Company. One of three launched that year. The others being the A. D. THOMSON and E. B. BARTLETT. She measured 265 feet length x 38 feet beam x…Read more
Place of Interest — Door County Granary
May 21, 2025It’s only about 2 1/2 hours from downtown Milwaukee for a day trip to the recently opened Door County Granary in Sturgeon Bay (72 E. Locust Ct.) that offers programs and interesting posters of the history of the Granary. There is a connection between the Granary to…Read more
The MUNTGRACHT visits Sturgeon Bay
May 20, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the MUNTGRACHT arrived at Rock Island Passage early Sunday afternoon, May 18th. The MUNTGRACHT entered the Bay of Green Bay, went around Chambers Island, arriving at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay mid-afternoon. The MUNTGRACHT continued up Sturgeon Bay to the Fincantieri Bay…Read more
BADGER completes repairs
May 14, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that after a twelve-day stay having a starboard propeller shaft bearing repaired, the SS BADGER left the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard around 5:00 pm Sunday, May 11th. The BADGER steamed out of Sturgeon Bay into Green Bay, around Chambers Island, then through Deaths…Read more
On this day the MARTIN MULLEN was launched
May 14, 2025On this day May 14, 1904, the steel steamer MARTIN MULLEN was launched at Cleveland by the American Ship Building Company. The MULLEN was built for Charles L. Hutchinson of the Hutchinson Fleet (Pioneer Steamship Co.) and christened by Miss Mary Mullen, sister of the well-known coal and vessel…Read more
Goodrich launches the DePERE at Manitowoc
May 13, 2025On this day, May 13, 1873, the Goodrich wooden passenger and freight steamer DePERE was launched at Manitowoc, Wis. Built by Rand & Burger, she measured 165 feet in length, 29 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. No expense was spared. She was built for the Chicago…Read more
Ships that were built upside down
May 11, 2025By James Heinz DeFoe was founded in 1905 in Saginaw Mich. DeFoe helped win World War II by building 154 ships for the U.S. Navy. Defoe was able to build these ships quicker than any other shipbuilder because they built them upside down. Normally, the hull plates on a steel…Read more
ALGOMA BUFFALO leaves Duluth
May 10, 2025Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that the ALGOMA BUFFALO left Duluth on May 9th with a cargo of taconite. The ALGOMA BUFFALO was built by the Bay Shipbuilding Company at Sturgeon Bay, Wis., in 1978 as BUFFALO. Built for the American Steamship Company she measures 634 feet 10 inches…Read more
WALTER J. McCARTHY, Jr. loads taconite
May 10, 2025Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that the WALTER J. McCARTHY, Jr. was loading taconite at the CN dock in Duluth on May 3rd. The WALTER J. McCARTHY, Jr. was launched by the Bay Shipbuilding Co. at Sturgeon Bay, Wis., in 1977 as the BELLE RIVER. She is 1,000 feet…Read more
