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.
WHERE YOU CAN SEE ME ACHIEVING HOLLYWOOD STARDOM IN MANITOWOC WISCONSIN
October 13, 2024By James Heinz Ever since I told you the story of how I achieved Hollywood stardom aboard the World War II submarine USS COBIA at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wis., my adoring public has demanded that I let them see my cinematic triumph. OK, I made that part…Read more
ON THIS DAY A LAKE MICHIGAN WRECK FELL FROM OUTER SPACE
October 13, 2024By James Heinz Not all the wrecks at the bottom Lake Michigan are ships. Michigan state underwater archeologist Wayne Lusardi has compiled a list of over 1,100 aircraft that have fallen into the Great Lake, starting with balloonists who went missing in the 1870s. In a previous article, I wrote…Read more
A Lake Superior hurricane claimed the SUNBEAM
October 13, 2024On August 28, 1863, the passenger steam paddle SUNBEAM went to the bottom in a fierce storm on Lake Superior called by some as a hurricane. All on board, reportedly 30 crew and passengers, were lost except the wheelsman John Frazer. The following recounts the event in Beers History…Read more
The DANIEL J. MORRELL was launched on August 22, 1906
October 13, 2024On August 22, 1906, the DANIEL J. MORRELL was launched at West Bay City, Mich., by the West Bay City Shipbuilding Co. for the Cambria Steamship Company of the M. A. Hanna Company. It was a busy week for Great Lakes shipping. Just days before the MORRELL, the Chicago…Read more
We honor two World War II Coast Guard mascots for International Dog Day
October 13, 2024On August 26th we honored two World War II Coast Guard mascots for International Dog Day. The first is Spar. Featured here wearing her dress blues, complete with first class yeoman rating, campaign ribbons which she earned and wings for her plane jump. Spar in this photo is a two-year-old…Read more
Steel Steamer WESTERN RESERVE Breaks in Two
October 13, 2024On August 30, 1892, the steel steamer WESTERN RESERVE broke in two and sunk. She was only two years old. She took with her the owner and several of his family members as well as 21 of her crew. The WESTERN RESERVE was launched on August 20, 1890 at…Read more
LITTLE TOOT GETS LAUNCHED AGAIN
October 13, 2024By James Heinz For the third time, WMHS has launched our good friend LITTLE TOOT into the waters of Lake Michigan. LITTLE TOOT was ready for launching after a year spent in the Joe Grygny tiny wooden boat rehabilitation center. WMHS members Carl Eisenberg, Todd Gordon, and myself went…Read more
Steamer TOPEKA Sinks in Four Minutes
October 13, 2024On August 15, 1916, the wooden steamer TOPEKA and the steamer CHRISTOPHER collided in heavy fog in the Detroit River opposite the Mullen Coal Dock at Sandwich, Ontario. The TOPEKA had a cargo of 1,800 tons of soft coal and sank in four minutes in forty feet of water. …Read more
A LONG FORGOTTEN BELL FROM A LONG FORGOTTEN WARSHIP THAT STOPPED A WAR
October 13, 2024By James Heinz Nautical, maritime, and naval artifacts from ships long gone are usually found near the water, like the old ship’s anchor next to Lake Michigan in South Shore Park, or the propeller from the SS BADGER at the Port Washington marina, both of which I recently profiled. But…Read more
Day Breaks as Schooner TWO FANNIES Goes Down, But Kitten is Saved
October 13, 2024On this day August 11, 1890, the three masted schooner TWO FANNIES of Kenosha sprung a leak and sank as the day was breaking. The crew consisted of Capt. Alfred Miller (who was also a half owner), Mate Losier, Second Mate Bull and Alexander Last; Harry Anderson; Claud Merchant…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Lucy keeping an eye on the crew
October 13, 2024By Chris Winters Lucy, the ship's cat, relieves the watch and takes a turn piloting the SOUTHDOWN CHALLENGER past the Hoan Bridge into Milwaukee’s harbor, December 2004. The SOUTHDOWN CHALLENGER has been a Milwaukee regular under many names. Built as the WILLIAM P. SNYDER in 1906 at Ecorse, Mich. by…Read more
First Keel Plate of the EDMUND FITZGERALD
October 13, 2024On August 7, 1957, the first keel plate was laid of hull 301 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works of River Rouge, Michigan. Hull 301 was built for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee, and would later be named the EDMUND FITZGERALD. The next year, Northwestern Mutual…Read more
