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.
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
THE WRECK OF THE WESTERN RESERVE – Chapter 2
July 23, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Two) The steel bulk carrier WESTERN RESERVE was launched at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890. She was the largest bulk carrier on the Lakes when she was launched. WMHS files say she displaced 2,392 tons and was 300 feet long and 41 feet wide…Read more
GEORGE STEINBRENNER, GREAT LAKES SHIP OWNER – Chapter 1
July 22, 2023FROM GREAT LAKES SHIPPING TO WATERGATE, THE WORLD SERIES AND SEINFELD: THE LIFE OF GEORGE STEINBRENNER, GREAT LAKES SHIP OWNER. By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter One) In an ominous foreshadowing of what was to come, at the christening of the freighter ROGER BLOUGH on June 5, 1971, the…Read more
Milwaukee Felt the Tugmen’s Strike of 1934
July 22, 2023By Suzette Lopez On June 5, 1934, Milwaukee felt the tugmen’s strike. The Sixth Street viaduct was tied up for over 25 minutes at 9 am causing displeasure to vehicles and pedestrians. Two vessels, the SUMATRA and the JAMES E. McALPINE, moving without tugs, caused a jam and traffic was…Read more
The Last Schooner on Lake Ontario was burned for Entertainment
July 21, 2023By Suzette Lopez On June 30, 1934, the last schooner on Lake Ontario, the LYMAN M. DAVIS, was burned at the Sunnyside Amusement Park in Toronto, to entertain thousands of spectators. The LYMAN M. DAVIS was built in 1873 at Muskegon, Michigan, by J. P. Arnold for Lyman Mason and…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Calling Distances
July 17, 2023By Chris Winters A deckhand aboard the CAMERON O. calls distances as the tug tows ST. MARYS CHALLENGER into the graving dock at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, July 2009. ———————————- The tug CAMERON O. was built in 1969 by Peterson Builders of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., as their own ESCORT II. In 1996 she was sold…Read more
Fox River Lock 4 at Appleton
July 2, 2023By Carl Eisenberg It is approximately one hour and forty minutes from Milwaukee to Appleton where the Appleton Locks on the Lower Fox River can be visited. Visiting Appleton and the Locks would make an easy day trip. There are tours of the Appleton Locks available during summer months (https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/tour-the-locks/)…Read more
Her Crew Was Washed Overboard and Thrown Back
July 2, 2023By Suzette Lopez On June 26, 1882, the steamer SIBERIA was launched at West Bay City, Michigan, for James Davidson. She was the largest craft ever built in the Saginaw valley at the time measuring 280 in length, 40 in beam and 19.5 in depth. The newspapers covering the launch…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Bucket Nuts
June 18, 2023By Chris Winters A machinist’s helper tensions bucket nuts on the LEE A. TREGURTHA‘s new variable-pitch propeller, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, August 2006. ———————————- The LEE A. TREGURTHA was launched on June 25, 1942 as the CHIWAWA by Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract as the SS…Read more
The Giant Steel Hulk Tumbled Sideways into the Detroit River and Became a Ship – the EDMUND FITZGERALD
June 17, 2023By Suzette Lopez On June 7, 1958, the EDMUND FITZGERALD was launched. Even at her launch newspapers just glowed about her. One described it as the giant steel hulk tumbled sideways into the Detroit River and became a ship – the EDMUND FITZGERALD. Little did they know how the mighty FITZ would…Read more
