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.
ST. ALBANS was Launched at Cleveland and Lost 16 miles Northeast of Milwaukee
August 15, 2023On July 18, 1868, the steamer ST. ALBANS was launched at Cleveland for the Northern Transportation Company’s fleet. She had 17 staterooms and during the winter months ran between Milwaukee and Ludington and Manistee. She measured 138 feet in length and 25 feet in beam. On January 30, 1881, Milwaukee…Read more
KINSMAN TRANSIT IS IN TROUBLE – Chapter 10
August 15, 2023By James Heinz (Steinbrenner Story - Chapter Ten) By 1957 Kinsman Transit was in serious financial trouble. According to Madden, this was due to competition from steel company fleets. Golenbock reports: “(Henry II) said to him, ‘Come back and get going or we’re going to get out of the business…Read more
Long Ships Passing – Captain Ron Brezinski signs off
August 11, 2023By 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…Read more
HENRY III AND GEORGE STEINBRENNER III – Chapter 9
August 10, 2023LIKE 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…Read more
Geologic History of Lake Michigan: Post-glacial events 8,000 years ago
August 10, 2023Last 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…Read more
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
