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.
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
Geologic History of Lake Michigan: The rock of ages
August 10, 2023Part 2 of 4-part series By Jim Rosenbaum How do we know the age of rocks? The absolute age of rocks could not be determined until geochemical isotopic dating techniques were developed in the mid-20th century. Until then, the ages of sedimentary rocks were only known relative to each other,…Read more
Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Looking back over a billion years
August 10, 2023Part 1 of 4-part series By Jim Rosenbaum Why study old rocks? Isn’t this the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society? Yes, but let’s consider why the Great Lakes formed where they did. It was not an accident. Consider also that geological awareness gives you superpowers. Geologists think in four dimensions –…Read more
Geologic History of Lake Michigan Suggested field trip: glacial tourism
August 10, 2023By Jim Rosenbaum Glacial landforms are easier to appreciate during the late fall through early spring when leafy vegetation does not block sight lines. I encourage an excursion to the Northern or Southern Units of the Kettle Interlobate Moraine. At Dundee, Wis., the National Park Service’s Ice Age Center is…Read more
AN OLDIE BUT A GOLDIE: HENRY STEINBRENNER II AND THE J. B. FORD – Chapter 8
August 4, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Eight) As you read this story, you may notice many of the same things keep happening to different ships. And so it will prove to be with the next vessel that Henry II purchased in 1944, possibly as a replacement for the GEORGE…Read more
HENRY STEINBRENNER II AND THE SHIPWRECK THAT BECAME A SHIP AGAIN – Chapter 7
July 31, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Seven) One of the ships Henry II owned was the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY, which had been built in 1927 at the American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland. She displaced 8,021 tons, was 586 feet long and 60 feet wide. In a dense fog and…Read more
Burger & Burger Launches the Last Topsail Schooner on the Great Lakes
July 29, 2023By Suzette Lopez On July 9, 1889, Burger & Burger launched the three-masted schooner CORA A. at Manitowoc, Wis. She was built for Walsh and Arten of Chicago at a cost of about $30,000. She measured 155 feet over all, 31 feet beam and 11 feet hold. She was probably…Read more
Superior Ship Building Launches New Design of Steamer
July 29, 2023By Suzette Lopez On July 17, 1902, the steel steamer JAMES H. HOYT was launched at West Superior, Wis., by the Superior Ship Building Co. Built for the Provident Steamship Company she measured 363.2 in length and 50 feet in beam. Mrs. A. B. Wolvin had the honor of christening…Read more
THE WRECK OF THE ANNA C. MINCH – Chapter 6
July 28, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Six) Henry Steinbrenner I also built a ship that would pass into Great Lakes legend as one of the Ghost Ships of the great Armistice Day Storm of November 11, 1940. The freighter ANNA C. MINCH was named for the wife of the…Read more
HENRY STEINBRENNER I, GORDON LIGHTFOOT, AND THE WRECK OF THE HENRY STEINBRENNER I – Chapter 5
July 27, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Five) Sophia Minch married a successful real estate businessman and lawyer named Henry George Steinbrenner I (1849-1929). He was reluctant to leave his successful real estate business to take over his wife’s family shipping business but eventually agreed to do so, at the…Read more
SOPHIA MINCH AND THE WRECK OF THE SOPHIA MINCH – Chapter 4
July 26, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Four) Sophia Minch already knew the dangers of Lake Michigan. The schooner named after her was wrecked in the surf on her native Cleveland lakefront in full view of a crowd of thousands, and possibly her as well. The wooden schooner SOPHIA MINCH…Read more
NUTTY PHIL AND THE WRECK OF THE ONOKO – Chapter 3
July 25, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story Chapter Three) The evolution of the classic Great Lakes bulk carrier, with its forward pilot house, rear cabins, galley, and engine room, and unobstructed midsection or spar deck for loading and unloading cargo is generally traced to the R. J. HACKETT, launched in 1870. She…Read more
