Freight steamer, fireboat among another record number
of Lake Michigan shipwreck discoveries
Milwaukee, WI – For a second year in a row, a record number of shipwrecks were discovered in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan waters last year.
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, 17 total shipwrecks were discovered last year, thanks to maritime historians and a federal mapping effort in Lake Michigan. The previous record was set in 2023 with 13 shipwrecks found.
Of those, 15 were confirmed off Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties last summer, joining the Margaret A. Muir schooner and the John Evenson steam tug both located off Kewaunee County last year as well.
One discovery was a freight steamer hidden near Racine for more than 130 years as well as a Milwaukee fireboat scuttled in the lake 95 years ago. Both have eluded divers for decades.
Read about the discoveries here: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2025/01/23/more-than-a-dozen-wrecks-found-in-lake-michigan-near-milwaukee-racine/77848555007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_m7RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfcCv3HlSDvEqACSIASXGf9QvZMJxhkIYF5YpZm–rtT7nByY6kfkS6ciw_aem_xSZFWZO1y7G-Ts65IVFBMg
Lake Erie now 80% ice-covered
Mackinac Island’s ferry boats suspend
winter service because of ice
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – If you’re headed on or off Mackinac Island, you’ll need some wings. Arnold Transit Co., which has the contract for the island’s winter ferry service, announced Wednesday it was suspending its daily trips between Mackinac and its mainland harbor of St. Ignace.
“Due to the ice formation in the Straits of Mackinac over the last few days, we have to suspend our Winter Ferry Service,” the boat company posted on its social media page. “We will resume service as soon as conditions allow for safe passage. Until then, thank you for your patience, kindness and understanding! Until then, stay safe and warm!”
While the boats are docked, airplanes will be the only transportation option. The island’s tourism bureau lists Fresh Air Aviation on its website, and reminds visitors that they will want to arrange for a horse-drawn taxi before they arrive at the airport.
Arnold Transit, formerly known as Star Line and the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, started its winter ferry service schedule on Dec. 16. The winter boats typically run until the Straits freeze over.
The Mackinac Island City Council discussed the impending ferry service suspension due to ice at Wednesday’s meeting. They heard from Veronica Dobrowolski, Arnold’s president and a well-known island captain.
She told council members that deepening ice conditions paired with the “sea smoke” steam coming off the water were quickly making the route unsafe.
Both the Arnold Transit team and island Mayor Margaret Doud had been in touch with the Coast Guard on Wednesday, the agency that determines when waterways are closed to vessel traffic. Island officials planned to touch base again with the Coast Guard next Monday.
Arnold’s traditional winter ferry, The Huron, is out of service and undergoing repairs this winter. Arnold has been using other boats in its absence.
M Live
