Wisconsin Marine Historical Society

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. 

  • Capt. Ron Brezinski

    Long Ships Passing – Captain Ron Brezinski signs off

    August 11, 2023
    By 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…

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  • George Steinbrenner

    HENRY III AND GEORGE STEINBRENNER III – Chapter 9

    August 10, 2023
    LIKE 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…

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  • North America breaks apart

    Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Post-glacial events 8,000 years ago

    August 10, 2023
    Last 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…

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  • Jim Rosenbaum 3

    Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, a virtual glacial ghost town

    August 10, 2023
    Part 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…

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  • Jim Rosenbaum 2

    Geologic History of Lake Michigan: The rock of ages

    August 10, 2023
    Part 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,…

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  • Jim Rosenbaum

    Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Looking back over a billion years

    August 10, 2023
    Part 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 –…

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  • Jim Rosenbaum

    Geologic History of Lake Michigan Suggested field trip: glacial tourism

    August 10, 2023
    By 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…

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  • J. B. Ford

    AN OLDIE BUT A GOLDIE: HENRY STEINBRENNER II AND THE J. B. FORD – Chapter 8

    August 4, 2023
    By 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…

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  • George M. Humphrey

    HENRY STEINBRENNER II AND THE SHIPWRECK THAT BECAME A SHIP AGAIN – Chapter 7

    July 31, 2023
    By 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…

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  • Cora A

    Burger & Burger Launches the Last Topsail Schooner on the Great Lakes

    July 29, 2023
    By 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…

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  • James H. Hoyt

    Superior Ship Building Launches New Design of Steamer

    July 29, 2023
    By 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…

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  • Anna C. Minch

    THE WRECK OF THE ANNA C. MINCH – Chapter 6

    July 28, 2023
    By 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…

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