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.
I Don’t Plan on Sinking Today
September 6, 2022PUTTING #45013 INTO THE LAKE FROM THE PURE CLEAN WATER By James Heinz “I don’t plan on sinking today.” Those are probably the most reassuring words I have ever heard from a ship captain. And I was listening to them coming from Captain Max Morgan of the UW-Milwaukee research vessel NEESKAY. NEESKAY…Read more
WHEN A VIKING SHIP SAILED THE GREAT LAKES
August 14, 2022By James Heinz Most ships that sailed the Great Lakes in 1893 can only be visited with SCUBA gear, if they even exist. This is the story of one such ship which can still be visited. On dry land. We all remember the saying we were told in grade school:…Read more
The PEWABIC Sank in Three Minutes Taking Passengers, Crew and Copper with Her
August 14, 2022By Suzette Lopez On August 9, 1865, the wooden propeller PEWABIC collided with the propeller METEOR off Thunder Bay Light in Lake Huron about 8:30 pm. Both were running at full speed. The PEWABIC was struck on her port bow just aft the pilot house with such force her entire…Read more
A Child’s Memories of his First Pirate Ship – the ALVIN CLARK
July 30, 2022by Cal Kothrade On July 29, 1969, the two masted schooner ALVIN CLARK was raised from the waters off Chambers Island, Wis., where she had rested since sinking during a squall on June 29, 1864 She took her captain and mate with her on that day. The CLARK had…Read more
DIGGING UP THE FIRST HOME OF THE LADY OF THE LIGHT AND THE LOST TREASURE OF LAKE PARK WITH JOSH GATES
July 30, 2022By James Heinz Recently I spoke to the person who was the longest serving lightkeeper at Milwaukee’s North Point lighthouse. In 26 years of service, she never slept a night away from the lighthouse. According to the North Point Lighthouse web site: “Each evening at sunset, Georgia Stebbins would climb…Read more
THE LOST MANITOWOC BOATS
July 3, 2022By James Heinz It started with the Star Spangled Banner. Then came the invocation. The names of 88 men were read, with a bell tolling after each name. A prayer was said, and then a bouquet of flowers was dropped upon the water. The command was given, “Gentlemen, bring the…Read more
Early Door County Ports — Baileys Harbor
July 3, 2022by Carl Eisenberg Baileys Harbor sits on the East shore of Door County, Wisconsin. In 1848, Captain Justice Bailey sought refuge from a storm in what was to become Baileys Harbor. While there he explored the area he collected samples of wood and limestone for his boss Alanson Sweet in…Read more
PRESIDENTS, ROYALTY, ELVIS, AND MARILYN MONROE
June 25, 2022By James Heinz Vessels built in the Great Lakes usually live out their lives on the lakes, usually only leaving to be scrapped. But this is the story of four boats that sailed the Great Lakes and left the Lakes to become presidential yachts. At least three still exist. WMHS…Read more
CHRISTINA NILSSON Shipwreck Marker
June 24, 2022By Carl Eisenberg The CHRISTINA NILSSON Shipwreck Marker is in Baileys Harbor on the eastern shore of Door County, Wisconsin, about an easy three hour drive from downtown Milwaukee and a great place to visit. Two well preserved fragments of the wreck of the schooner CHRISTINA NILSSON are located under…Read more
THE SHIP TO SHORE CHEF WHOSE SHIP HIT A MOUNTAIN
June 11, 2022By James Heinz In the history of the Great Lakes, the ship’s officers are the ones usually identified. Sometimes deck hands or other crew members are mentioned. But there is one type of crew member who is rarely mentioned, even though they are essential to the running of the ship.…Read more
EDWARD E. GILLEN Capsizes While Undergoing Tests by the Coast Guard
June 10, 2022On June 3, 1981, the Milwaukee based tug EDWARD E. GILLEN capsized and sank 2 ½ miles east of the Hoan Bridge in 70 feet of water while undergoing tests in the tow of the Coast Guard icebreaker WESTWIND. The four man crew of the GILLEN were rescued from Lake…Read more
THE GREAT MILWAUKEE SUBMARINE RACE
May 27, 2022By James Heinz When I was a young man, my friends would often refer to taking their girlfriends to the lakeshore on summer evenings to “watch the submarine races.” I found out that this was a double entendre meaning to spend some intimate moments alone with your girlfriend at the…Read more
