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. Search our blog index to find your favorite stories.
Long Ships Passing – Wheeling the JAMES R. BARKER
June 4, 2025By Chris Winters Wheeling the JAMES R. BARKER into the Poe lock, upbound for Lake Superior, July 2017. The JAMES R. BARKER was built in 1976 at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Shipbuilding Co. for Pickands Mather & Co. of Cleveland, a subsidiary of Moore McCormack. The 1,000 foot steel self-unloader…Read more
AMERICAN INTEGRITY off loads to AMERICAN CENTURY
June 1, 2025Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that the AMERICAN CENTURY entered Duluth on May 30th to pick up a cargo of taconite, but not in the usual way. This is something you don't see every day, but she slowly backed next to the AMERICAN INTEGRITY which was docked at the Ash…Read more
The PAUL R. TREGURTHA with a work boat
May 31, 2025Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that on May 30th, the PAUL R. TREGURTHA was sitting at the Port Terminal dock with a work barge from the Fraser Shipyard at the stern. Whenever the issue is repaired, she will go to Superior to pick up a cargo of coal. Photos by Elmer Engman ----------------------------------…Read more
BURNS HARBOR arrives in Duluth
May 31, 2025Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that May 30th was a busy day for vessel traffic in Duluth. The first arrival was the 1000 foot BURNS HARBOR headed to the CN ore dock to load a cargo of taconite. -------- Built in 1980 by the Bay Shipbuilding Corporation at Sturgeon Bay, Wis.,…Read more
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
