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.
A Heartbreaking End to the LADY ELGIN
September 9, 2023By Suzette Lopez On September 8, 1860, the LADY ELGIN became a heartbreaking history. Built as a wooden steam paddle in 1851 at Buffalo by Bidwell & Banta for Patchin & Appleby of Buffalo, she was named after the wife of the then Governor General of British America, Lord Elgin. …Read more
Annual Summer Picnic Excursion Begins with Disaster
September 6, 2023By Suzette Lopez On July 24, 1915, employees of the Western Electric Company of Chicago were all filled with anticipation for the great day ahead. Many arrived early to make the most of the annual summer picnic excursion across Lake Michigan to Michigan City, Indiana. Some 7,300 tickets were sold…Read more
Chicago’s Breakwater Stops Burning Steamer
September 1, 2023By Suzette Lopez On this day September 1, 1914, the Graham & Morton steamer CITY OF CHICAGO crashed into the breakwater south of the Chicago harbor with her decks on fire. Capt. Oscar Bjork managed to wedge her in the timbers of the structure and all 94 passengers and crew…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Checking Draft Marks
August 24, 2023By Chris Winters Vince Hagman, the M/V MARK W. BARKER‘s first mate & relief captain checks draft marks before departing with the vessel’s first cargo, Port Inland, Michigan, July 2022. ——————————— The MARK W. BARKER was the first Great Lakes bulk carrier to be built on the Great Lakes in more…Read more
GEORGE III SAVES KINSMAN TRANSIT – Chapter 11
August 21, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Eleven) George III wanted more out of life than running a mom and pop four ship shipping line. George III also had problems with the conservative ways his father was running Kinsman, pointing out that the company had $1 million in a non-interest…Read more
Day Breaks as Schooner TWO FANNIES Goes Down, But Kitten is Saved
August 15, 2023By Suzette Lopez On 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
ST. ALBANS was Launched at Cleveland and Lost 16 miles Northeast of Milwaukee
August 15, 2023On July 18, 1868, the steamer ST. ALBANS was launched at Cleveland for the Northern Transportation Company’s fleet. She had 17 staterooms and during the winter months ran between Milwaukee and Ludington and Manistee. She measured 138 feet in length and 25 feet in beam. On January 30, 1881, Milwaukee…Read more
KINSMAN TRANSIT IS IN TROUBLE – Chapter 10
August 15, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Ten) By 1957 Kinsman Transit was in serious financial trouble. According to Madden, this was due to competition from steel company fleets. Golenbock reports: “(Henry II) said to him, ‘Come back and get going or we’re going to get out of the business…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Captain Ron Brezinski signs off
August 11, 2023By Chris Winters Captain Ron Brezinski signs off… S.S. WILFRED SYKES, tying up at Fincanteri Bay Shipbuilding, January 16, 2005. This photo was taken on Brezinski’s final morning in the window after a 32-year sailing career with the Inland Steel fleet. A native of Kewaunee, Wisconsin, Ski was a third-generation lake…Read more
HENRY III AND GEORGE STEINBRENNER III – Chapter 9
August 10, 2023LIKE FATHER LIKE SON By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Nine) Sophia gave birth to George Michael Steinbrenner II (1879-1949). When Henry Steinbrenner I died in 1929, George Michael Steinbrenner I took over operation of the company. George Michael Steinbrenner II in turn married Caroline Mueller (1880-1940). She gave…Read more
Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Post-glacial events 8,000 years ago
August 10, 2023Last of 4-part seriesBy Jim Rosenbaum Consequential events did not end with the retreat of the glaciers into Ontario. Several remarkable ”low stands,” or “drawdowns,” of Lakes Michigan-Huron took place around 8,000 years ago. Here’s why: Because the weight of the ice sheets had depressed the Earth’s crust, new drainage…Read more
Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, a virtual glacial ghost town
August 10, 2023Part 3 of 4-part series By Jim Rosenbaum Glacial landforms dominate Wisconsin’s landscape. They are so well preserved that the last major glacial advance is known as the Wisconsin Stage. That stage began about 32,000 years ago, and concluded about 13,000 years ago. (Luczaj, 2013). Hills, ridges, lakes, gorges, river…Read more
