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 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
Historical Marker of Sheboygan
April 24, 2025The last Friday in April each year has been designated National Historic Marker Day. These markers, more than 210,000, help preserve history across the United States and tell stories of significance for state and national trails, natural formations, historic buildings as well as many other significant events including shipwrecks. …Read more
A LAKE MICHIGAN SHIPWRECK CONNECTED TO LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
April 22, 2025By James Heinz The eight volume Little House on the Prairie series of children’s books have become beloved literary classics. The books inspired a television program of the same name that ran for eleven years. Their author was Laura Ignalls Wilder, who was connected to many famous people. One of…Read more
The PAUL R. TREGURTHA Departs
April 20, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V PAUL R. TREGURTHA left Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding the night of April 18th. The vessel went out of Sturgeon Bay, out the bay of Green Bay, around Chambers Island and out Rock Island passage. Its destination is Superior, Wis., for its…Read more
PRENTISS BROWN/ST. MARYS CONQUEST arrive in Sturgeon Bay
April 19, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the integrated tug barge PRENTISS BROWN/ST. MARYS CONQUEST arrived at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding through the Sturgeon Bay ship canal around noon on Wednesday April 16th. The articulated pusher tug BETTY CULBREATH was built by Gulfport Shipbuilding of Port Arthur, Texas, in 1967…Read more
