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 DANIEL LYONS Historic Shipwreck Marker
December 1, 2022By Carl Eisenberg It is about two hours from Milwaukee to Algoma, Wisconsin, a port city on Lake Michigan to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Trails Historic Shipwreck Marker for the Schooner DANIEL LYONS. This is close enough to be an interesting day trip for those who would like to explore…Read more
Long Ships Passing – GL Maritime Academy Cadet
November 25, 2022By Chris Winters A Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadet accumulates sea time “in the window” of the Interlake Steamship’s 1000-foot M/V James R. Barker, upbound on Lake Superior, July 2018. ————————— The JAMES R. BARKER was built in 1976 at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Co. for Pickands Mather…Read more
The Christmas Tree Ship Went Missing and Was Found
November 23, 2022By Suzette Lopez and Cal Kothrade On November 23, 1912, the old schooner that has become known as the Christmas Tree Ship foundered in Lake Michigan with all on board near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She was a three-masted schooner built in 1868 at Milwaukee for Kenosha lumberman R. B. Towslee…Read more
Lake Michigan Claimed the CARL D. BRADLEY
November 18, 2022By Suzette Lopez On this day November 18, 1958, Lake Michigan claimed the steamer CARL D. BRADLEY as well as 33 of her crew of 35. Rogers City, Michigan, was especially devastated. It was home to 23 of the lost crew. The newspapers showed grieving families, churches full of caskets,…Read more
The FITZ Lives On
November 10, 2022By Suzette Lopez November 10, 1975 is a date even non sailors recognize. I am sure most of you reading this are old enough to remember where you were on Tuesday, November 11, 1975. I have told this story before but I feel it is worth repeating as it is…Read more
DID THE FOUR REALLY SURVIVE THE SINKING?
November 8, 2022WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TITANIC PASSENGER? By James Heinz Recently the WMHS blog ran a three part story that I wrote about a Milwaukee ship owner who died on the TIITANIC while trying to conceal a sex scandal. We scheduled our posting of that story to coincide with the run…Read more
Wreck of the Steamer FRED McBRIER Eludes Searchers for 77 Years
October 31, 2022By Suzette Lopez On October 3, 1890, the wooden steamer FRED McBRIER was downbound in the darkness of night and fog with a load of iron ore along with her consorts J. B. LOZEN and A. STEWART on Lake Michigan. The propeller PROGRESS was upbound towing the schooner F. A.…Read more
Heavy fog and the steamer JOE S. MORROW takes the steamer CITY OF LONDON
October 30, 2022By Suzette Lopez On September 30, 1913, the wooden steamer CITY OF LONDON was sunk in heavy fog off Pelee Island by the steel steamer JOE S. MORROW. The LONDON of Chicago, part of the Chicago Steamship Company, was bound down on the Canadian side of Lake Erie with a…Read more
The WILLIE Became the Only Loss of 1954
October 16, 2022By Suzette Lopez On October 14, 1954, the PRINS WILLEM V, affectionately known to divers as the WILLIE, became the only total loss of the year on the Great Lakes. And, she did it off Milwaukee’s harbor. It was early evening and the Oranje Line freighter was less than four…Read more
1838 – First attempt for Federal Archeological Site
October 16, 2022WHAT SEEMS TO BE JUST ROCKS IN A WISCONSIN RIVER ARE SIGNS OF AN ANCIENT CIVILIZATION By James Heinz The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s web site states: “WMHS emphasizes collecting and archiving materials involving commerce and industry of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway with a focus on…Read more
The Queen Sailed On
October 7, 2022By Suzette Lopez On July 7, 1959, Her Majesty’s Yacht BRITANNIA sailed past Milwaukee escorted by six destroyers as Milwaukee’s fire tug DELUGE saluted her. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were on board traveling from Chicago to Sault Ste. Marie. The Queen was on a 45-day…Read more
The MONTANA Burns and Sinks but Leaves Much to be Seen Today
September 11, 2022On September 6, 1914, the wooden steamer MONTANA burned at Thunder Bay off Sulphur Island in Lake Huron. She had 14 on board at the time and all were saved. The MONTANA was built in 1872 at Port Huron, Mich., by Alexander Muir for the Western Transportation Co. of Buffalo. …Read more
