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.
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 Bay City, Mich., on the Saginaw River. 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…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
The YANTIC was burned on purpose
May 9, 2025On May 9, 1930, the gunboat YANTIC was burned, on purpose, in the Detroit River. Her burnt remains were filled in and over as part of the Belle Isle bridge approach. The planned cremation of the 66 year old wooden steamer was due to her sinking at her dock…Read more
On This Day the CEDARVILLE Rolled Over
May 7, 2025On this day, May 7, 1965, US Steel Corp.’s CEDARVILLE collided with the Norwegian freighter TOPDALSFJORD in thick fog about a mile east of the Mackinac Bridge. This should not have happened since both vessels were equipped with radar and radios. Evidently the TOPDALSFJORD had not responded to radio calls…Read more
The integrated tug barge PRENTISS BROWN/ST. MARYS CONQUEST departs Fincantieri
May 5, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the integrated tug barge PRENTISS BROWN/ST. MARYS CONQUEST left Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding around noon, Monday, May 5th. The vessel proceeded out of the bay of Green Bay and headed to its destination of Charlevoix, Michigan for a load of cement. The…Read more
A U.S. WARSHIP SUNK OFF DULUTH
May 3, 2025By James Heinz Since 1799, five American warships have proudly carried the name ESSEX. Shortly before his death Abraham Lincoln authorized construction of USS ESSEX #3. She was not completed until 1876. She was designed by famous shipbuilder Donald McKay, who also designed the famous clipper ship FLYING CLOUD. …Read more
BADGER arrives in Sturgeon Bay
May 1, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the SS BADGER left its dock in Ludington, Michigan around 7:00 am Wednesday, April 30th, on a trip to the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The vessel entered the Bay of Green Bay through Deaths Door Passage, went around…Read more
Bullhead Point – the EMPIRE STATE, OAKLEAF and IDA CORNING
April 27, 2025In Honor of NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY we are reprinting the Bullhead Point Historic Shipwreck Marker located on the western shore of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. A worthwhile day trip to the North. Bullhead Point Historic Shipwrecks Marker with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in the background. Photo by Carl…Read more
Visit the Whitefish Dunes State Park
April 26, 2025In Honor of NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY we are reprinting the story on Whitefish Dunes State Park – a Door County historic site well worth the two hour trip from Milwaukee. Photo at top of page: Whitefish Dunes State Park outdoor exhibits. Photo by Carl Eisenberg Whitefish Dunes State…Read more
Visit the Wind Point Lighthouse and the Marker for the KATE KELLY
April 25, 2025In Honor of NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY we are reprinting the story of the schooner KATE KELLY and her Historical Marker located at Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine. A location certainly worthy of a visit and a walk on the Lake Michigan beach. Photo at the top of the…Read more
