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.
The CORT and BARKER visit Duluth
July 24, 2026Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that on July 19th he found a rare visitor tied up at the Midwest Energy Terminal dock in Superior, Wisconsin. The terminal ceased operations on June 30th. The STEWART J. CORT is slightly bow down with maintenance being done on the starboard propeller shaft…Read more
The GARLAND collides with the steam yacht MAMIE
July 23, 2026On this day July 22, 1880, the two month old passenger ferry GARLAND was on her way down the Detroit River around 10 in the evening with a party of about 800-1200 (newspaper accounts vary) Detroit Stove Works employees and their friends. When near the Grassy Island Light, she…Read more
The CHARLES A. STREET destroyed by fire
July 20, 2026On this day July 20, 1908, the steam barge CHARLES A. STREET was destroyed by fire about Port Huron. Built in 1888 at Grand Haven by Duncan Robertson for John Lang of Chicago, she was launched on April 14th after forty men were employed in building her all winter. Measuring…Read more
WHEN KENOSHA COMMITTED TREASON AGAINST THE UNITED STATE
July 19, 2026By James Heinz In the 1850s a long-forgotten conflict raged on Lake Michigan, a conflict that would determine the fate of the entire Midwest. I hereby give this forgotten conflict a name: The Lake Michigan Dredge Wars In a recent lecture at the Kenosha Civil War Museum and in his…Read more
On this day the IOWA and SHEBOYGAN came together
July 17, 2026The IOWA was built at Manitowoc, Wis., in 1896 on the hull of the burned wooden steamer MENOMINEE which had been built in 1872 and was owned by Goodrich. It was a total rebuild and the IOWA had accommodations of 52 state rooms for 108 passengers on the cabin deck…Read more
SILVERSIDES arrives at Fincantieri
July 16, 2026Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the USS SILVERSIDES (SS-236) arrived at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard, Tuesday, July 14th. Two tugs towed the submarine through the Sturgeon Bay ship canal, through Sturgeon Bay’s three bridges then to the yard where it will be docked in the FBS…Read more
THE DEATH OF A GREAT LAKES FREIGHTER EXPLAINED
July 15, 2026By James Heinz In a previous story https://wmhs.org/fire-has-claimed-another-great-lakes-freighter/ I told the story of how the 88 year old bulk carrier CUYAHOGA was damaged by fire on March 15, 2024, while in winter layup at Ashtabula, Ohio. This article explains what happened, according to the February 2026 issue of Professional Mariner…Read more
THEN AND NOW: THE SCHOONER LUCIA A. SIMPSON
July 13, 2026By James Heinz The schooner LUCIA A. SIMPSON was launched in 1875 in Manitowoc, Wis. She was a typical wooden, three masted ship of 227 tons displacement. She was 127 feet long, 28 feet wide, and had 4 hatches. Unlike most of Great Lakes schooners, the SIMPSON had a long…Read more
Can’t forget the Salties
July 8, 2026Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, can’t forget to mention the two salt water ships that were in on July 6th. The BBC SINGAPORE, she is a new ship being built in 2025 and sails under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. This is a heavy lift ship and is unloading…Read more
JOSEPH L. BLOCK at Duluth
July 8, 2026Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, also reports that on July 6th leaving the harbor and passing the PRESQUE ISLE was the JOSEPH L. BLOCK. She finished loading a cargo of taconite at the CN ore docks and was heading to Indiana Harbor. She was built in 1976 and is 728…Read more
The PRESQUE ISLE arrives at Duluth
July 8, 2026Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, also reports that on July 6th the PRESQUE ISLE arrived in Duluth. She was going to the fuel dock and then heading to the Burlington Northern ore dock in Superior, Wisconsin, for a cargo of taconite. She was built as a tug barge in 1973.…Read more
Duluth is busy
July 8, 2026Elmer Engman, our Duluth correspondent, reports that on July 6th there was a lot of activity around the port. The cadet training ship, STATE OF MICHIGAN, was pulling into the dock behind the entertainment center. She was built in 1985 at Tacoma, Washington, and is 224 feet long with a…Read more
