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 steamer ETRURIA is launched
March 8, 2025On this day February 8, 1902, the steel steamer ETRURIA was launched by West Bay City Shipbuilding Co. for H. A. Hawgood. Her master was Captain Thomas C. Ellis and her chief engineer was H. B. Buchanan. She measured 434 feet over all, 50 feet in beam and 28…Read more
The MESABI MINER was launched at Lorain
March 8, 2025On this day February 14, 1977, the MESABI MINER was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Co. for the Pickands Mather & Co., a subsidiary of Moore McCormack and is part of the Interlake Fleet. Photo at top of page: MESABI MINER at Central Ore Dock,…Read more
The HERBERT C. JACKSON is launched
March 8, 2025On this day February 19, 1959, the 689 foot ore carrier HERBERT C. JACKSON was launched at the Great Lakes Engineering Works River Rouge yard. This was the beginning of replacing older vessels on the Lakes. Her launch into the Detroit River caused a “skinned nose” as this February…Read more
The JOSEPH L. BLOCK departs Fincantieri
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK departed Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Wednesday afternoon March 20th, 2024. The BLOCK went out ice free Sturgeon Bay, up the bay of Green Bay and out into Lake Michigan. The vessel headed for the Straits of Mackinac and…Read more
BURNS HARBOR departs Sturgeon Bay
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V BURNS HARBOR left the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding dock in Sturgeon Bay, Thursday morning March 21, 2024. The vessel went out ice free and up Green Bay toward Lake Michigan. It is destined for Superior, Wis., to pick up its first…Read more
The WILFRED SYKES leaves Sturgeon Bay for Marquette, Mich.
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the S/S WILFRED SYKES left Sturgeon Bay Friday afternoon March 22, 2024. The vessel headed out Sturgeon Bay, then out the unfrozen bay of Green Bay to Lake Michigan. Her destination is Marquette, Mich., for the first load of taconite for the…Read more
The WALTER J. McCARTHY, JR. leaves Fincantieri for Superior, Wis.
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V WALTER J. McCARTHY, JR. left the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding dock in Sturgeon Bay Thursday morning March 21, 2024. The vessel went out ice free Sturgeon Bay and up Green Bay toward Lake Michigan. It is destined for Superior, Wis., to…Read more
The AMERICAN MARINER heads to Silver Bay
March 8, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V AMERICAN MARINER departed Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Wednesday morning March 27, 2024. She proceeded out ice free Sturgeon Bay toward the bay of Green Bay, up Green Bay, through Rock Island Passage and into Lake Michigan. She is heading to Silver…Read more
AMERICAN SPIRIT in for new propeller blades
March 7, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V AMERICAN SPIRIT arrived at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard mid-morning Tuesday, April 2nd. The vessel came down the Bay of Green Bay, into Sturgeon Bay, pivoted, then backed the six miles to her dock. Assistance from two Great Lakes tugs…Read more
414 Celebrates the steamer MILWAUKEE
March 7, 2025On this day April 14, Milwaukeeans celebrate the city they love and call home as 414 is the area code for Milwaukee. In honor of 414, today’s post is of a freight and passenger steamer named MILWAUKEE that was built in 1868. The MILWAUKEE was built at Ogdensburg, New York,…Read more
STEWART J. CORT starts her 2024 season
March 7, 2025Tom Wenstadt, our Door County correspondent, reports that the M/V STEWART J. CORT left the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard the afternoon of May 15th around 5:00 pm. The vessel headed out Sturgeon Bay, then up the Bay of Green Bay, through Rock Island passage on its way to Superior for…Read more
A NEW DOCTOR ON BOARD
March 7, 2025By James Heinz Most members of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society are amateur marine history enthusiasts. None of us have ever been historians or underwater archeologists with doctorate degrees. The only doctor on our Board of Directors was our outgoing president, Carl Eisenberg, and he was a pediatric nephrologist. But…Read more
