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.
STEWART J. CORT arrives in Milwaukee
January 20, 2026The STEWART J. CORT arrived this frosty day in Milwaukee for layup. We thank Greg Stamatelakys for sending these great photos taken by Captain Max Morgan of the NEESKAY. The CORT was the first 1000-foot vessel on the Great Lakes when she entered service for Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1972. …Read more
Long Ships Passing – Unloading Limestone
January 14, 2026By Chris Winters The JOHN G. MUNSON unloads a cargo of limestone into the hopper at Buffington Harbor, Indiana, December 2015. --------- The steel JOHN G. MUNSON was built in 1952 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Manitowoc Ship Building Co. for the Bradley Transportation Line a division of US Steel. …Read more
JAMES R. BARKER arrives at Fincantieri
January 8, 2026Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V JAMES R. BARKER arrived Monday morning January 5th, at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, after an icy battle on the bay of Green Bay the previous night. The BARKER was assisted up Sturgeon Bay by the tugs DONALD J.…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Hibbtac Pellets
January 6, 2026By Chris Winters The EDWARD L. RYERSON passes Montreal, Quebec, downbound, with a load of Hibbtac pellets for export, October 2007. ----------- The EDWARD L. RYERSON was built in 1960 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. for Inland Steel. She measured 730 x 75 x 39 and was built…Read more
The KAMLOOPS was last seen heading along the high cliffs of Isle Royale
January 5, 2026On this day December 6, 1927, the canaller KAMLOOPS was last seen heading along the high cliffs of Isle Royale by the freighter QUEDOC during a blinding snowstorm. She was heavily coated with ice and about a quarter of a mile behind the QUEDOC. The QUEDOC barely avoided running…Read more
THE GREAT MILWAUKEE SUBMARINE CAPER
December 31, 2025By James Heinz This story is the type of story that everyone loves: Stupid criminal stories. With a submarine. On July 22, 1940, a note was left on the front porch of 2612 East Shorewood Boulevard in Shorewood, Wis. The note was intended for former resident Rowland Davie, who was…Read more
The E. M. FORD settles in Milwaukee on Christmas Day
December 26, 2025On December 24, 1979, the weather in Milwaukee was not what people wanted, even for travel around town. The E. M. FORD arrived on December 21st and was docked at Terminal 1 in Milwaukee’s outer harbor with a cargo of about 7,000 tons of dry cement. Most of the…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Road Salt
December 21, 2025By Chris Winters The crew of the MARK W. BARKER unload a cargo of road salt at Burns Harbor, Indiana, December 2022. The MARK W. BARKER was the first Great Lakes bulk carrier to be built on the Great Lakes in more than 35 years. Built in 2022 at Fincantieri…Read more
A PRIVATE LIGHTHOUSE IN A MILWAUKEE SUBURB
December 19, 2025By James Heinz Over the years the U.S. Coast Guard has decommissioned many of its lighthouses. Many of these structures have been turned over to nonprofit organizations or individuals, such as the one written about here: https://wmhs.org/the-manitowoc-lighthouse-is-now-open-for-tours/ Some of them have a functioning light and are still active aids to…Read more
The JUNIATA was launched
December 17, 2025On this day December 17, 1904, the steel ferry JUNIATA was launched at Cleveland, Ohio. Built by the American Ship Building Co. for the Erie & Western Transportation Co. she measured 346 feet in length and 45 feet in beam. She was built for passenger and freight service and…Read more
The EMBA was scuttled
December 17, 2025On this day December 15, 1932, the barge EMBA was taken out into Lake Michigan about five miles from Milwaukee and scuttled. Schooner A. C. TUXBURY docked The EMBA started her career as a three-masted schooner named A. C. TUXBURY. She was built in 1890 for the lumber…Read more
The RAPIDS was crushed by ice
December 13, 2025On this day December 12, 1917, the stern wheeler RAPIDS was crushed by ice at Paducah, Kentucky. Her on board crew of two survived. The Great Lakes has claimed many vessels by crushing them in ice, but it does occur to the south, just not nearly as often. Photo…Read more
