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.
American Ship Building launches the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY
March 8, 2025On this day December 30, 1926, the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY was launched by American Ship Building at their Lorain, Ohio, yard. Built for the Kinsman Transit Company she measured 600 feet over all with a beam of 60 feet and a depth of 32 feet. She was christened by…Read more
BADGER STATE sinks in Gulf of Mexico
March 8, 2025On this day January 14, 1946, the BADGER STATE struck a sunken ship at the mouth of the Grijalva River in the Gulf of Mexico and sank. The BADGER STATE had sailed many waters and changed her name a few times in her career of 30 plus years. Photo…Read more
STEWART J. CORT arrives for winter lay up
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V STEWART J. CORT arrived at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard, Thursday, January 16, 2024. The vessel pivoted at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, then backed the six miles up the Sturgeon Bay channel to the yard. It then backed into…Read more
WALTER J. McCARTHY, JR. arrives for winter layup
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that another ship arrived for winter layup. The M/V WALTER J. McCARTHY, JR. came up Lake Michigan from Indiana Harbor, passed the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Then ran up the Door County peninsula, around Rock Island, then ran through Rock Island Passage into…Read more
AMERICAN MARINER arrives at Fincatieri
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that another ship arrived for winter layup. The M/V AMERICAN MARINER arrived at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, this morning January 22, 2024. The vessel came into the bay of Green Bay through Rock Island Passage, pivoted at the mouth of…Read more
WILFRED SYKES arrives at Fincantieri
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that another ship arrived for winter layup. The WILFRED SYKES came up Lake Michigan from Burns Harbor, Indiana over the weekend, then meandered around out in the lake until she arrived at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding dock in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., this…Read more
The Chicago Shipbuilding Company launches the CRESCENT CITY
March 8, 2025On this day February 2, 1897, the Chicago Shipbuilding Company launched the steel steamer CRESCENT CITY for Mr. A. B. Wolvin, president and manager of the Zenith Transit Co. Mrs. Wolvin, wife of the president, christened the 406 foot steamer. The CRESCENT CITY did her owners proud her first…Read more
The UMBRIA is launched
March 8, 2025On this day February 6, 1904, the steel cargo steamer UMBRIA was launched at the American Ship Building Co. yard in Cleveland. Built for Henry A. Hawgood she cost about $280,000 and measured 420 feet in length, 50 feet in beam and 28 feet in depth. The UMBRIA…Read more
The steamer ETRURIA is launched
March 8, 2025On this day February 8, 1902, the steel steamer ETRURIA was launched by West Bay City Shipbuilding Co. for H. A. Hawgood. Her master was Captain Thomas C. Ellis and her chief engineer was H. B. Buchanan. She measured 434 feet over all, 50 feet in beam and 28…Read more
The MESABI MINER was launched at Lorain
March 8, 2025On this day February 14, 1977, the MESABI MINER was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Co. for the Pickands Mather & Co., a subsidiary of Moore McCormack and is part of the Interlake Fleet. Photo at top of page: MESABI MINER at Central Ore Dock,…Read more
The HERBERT C. JACKSON is launched
March 8, 2025On this day February 19, 1959, the 689 foot ore carrier HERBERT C. JACKSON was launched at the Great Lakes Engineering Works River Rouge yard. This was the beginning of replacing older vessels on the Lakes. Her launch into the Detroit River caused a “skinned nose” as this February…Read more
The JOSEPH L. BLOCK departs Fincantieri
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK departed Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Wednesday afternoon March 20th, 2024. The BLOCK went out ice free Sturgeon Bay, up the bay of Green Bay and out into Lake Michigan. The vessel headed for the Straits of Mackinac and…Read more
