mackinaw - Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum

ICEBRE AKER
MACKINAW
MARITIME MUSEUM
MACKINAW CITY, MI
photo by John L. Wagner
semper paratus
- always ready!
Mission
The Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum will collect, preserve, protect and interpret the
rich maritime and marine history of the Straits of Mackinac and the Great Lakes.
The Museum will feature the USCGC Mackinaw WAGB-83 and the important historical and
present day contributions of the US Coast Guard on the Great Lakes.
The Museum will present the unique maritime history, economy and ecology of the
Straits of Mackinac, the Great Lakes and the State of Michigan through engaging and
entertaining educational programming and interpretive exhibits.
Program Vision
The Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum seeks to become the
foremost maritime museum in the region by providing:
- mobile and virtual classrooms in addition to on-site educational programming;
- educational simulators leveraging state-of-the-art technology;
- exciting and entertaining experiential activities;
- an inviting outdoor green space celebrating the beauty of the Straits of Mackinac; and
- a community-friendly facility encouraging volunteer participation and civic engagement.
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USCG Cutter Mackinaw WAGB – 83
Built By:
Toledo Shipbuilding Co. and
American Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Toledo, Ohio
Ship Specifications
Keel Laid:March 20, 1943
Commissioned:December 20, 1944
Home Port:Cheboygan, Michigan
Decommissioned:June 10, 2006
Crew Complement:
8 Officers and 67 Enlisted
Length:290 feet
Beam: 74 feet, 4 inches
Draft (Full Load):
19 feet, 6 inches
Displacement (Full Load):
5,252.4 tons
Main Engines:6 Fairbanks-Morse, 10 cylinder
Propulsion:Diesel Electric
Shaft Horsepower:10,000
Propellers:
2 stern, 14 feet in diameter;
1 bow, 12 feet in diameter
Maximum Speed:19 knots
Anchors:2-3,000 lb. Bower Stockless
with 2 inch diameter links
Diesel Fuel:276,000 gallons
Potable Water:7,000 gallons
Ballast Water:121,631 gallons
Heel and Trim Ballast Water:
345,828 gallons
United States Coast Guard; Department of Homeland Security
Established:1790
Motto:Semper Paratus – Always Ready
2010 Budget:$10.1B
Number on Active Duty:
42,000
Assets:
Cutters (>65 ft.) = 250
Boats (<65 ft.) = 1,784
Aircraft = 198
Mission:
Ports, waterways and coastal security
Drug interdiction – Aids to navigation
Search and rescue – Living marine resources
Marine safety – Defense readiness
Migrant interdiction
Marine environmental protection
Ice operations – Other law enforcement
History
OF THE
ICEBREAKER
MACKINAW
The mission of the USCG Cutter Mackinaw
WAGB-83 is captured powerfully in the motto of
the US Coast Guard; “Semper Paratus – Always
Ready”! From its very beginning, the Mackinaw
proved it was always ready to accomplish great
things. By keeping the Great Lakes shipping lanes
open under the harshest winter conditions during
World War II, the Mackinaw made it possible for
iron ore and copper to be transported to the
wartime factories in the lower Great Lakes. From
these raw materials, tanks, airplanes, jeeps and
other critical machinery were built with a single
purpose – to win the war! Was the Mackinaw
critical to the success of the war? The record is
clear…yes!
After the war, the Mackinaw was regarded
as the foremost icebreaker in the world. Marine
engineers and shipbuilders from across the globe
came to study the “Queen of the Great Lakes”.
For 62 years, the Mackinaw performed remarkable
icebreaking feats keeping important shipping
lanes in the Great Lakes open to commercial
traffic. As a result, the Mackinaw earned the
reputation;
“We move ships
when no one
else can”!
1670
1715
Hudson Bay
Company receives
British royal charter
to operate in North
America.
1634
French explorer and
trader Jean Nicollet
first European to
pass through Straits
area on quest to find
Northwest Passage.
1671
Father Marquette
establishes Jesuit
mission in St. Ignace
on the Straits of
Mackinac.
1690
French build Fort du
Buade in St. Ignace.
French build Fort Michilimackinac
on northern tip of Michigan’s lower
peninsula where lakes Huron and
Michigan meet.
1679
French explorer Robert de la Salle sails
Le Griffon – first European-built ship
to sail the northern Great Lakes – from
the Niagara River, through Lakes Erie,
Huron and Michigan to northern
Wisconsin. On return voyage, ship
disappears and is believed to have sunk
in northern Lake Michigan.
The Mackinaw is a wonder of marine engineering with a length of 290 feet, a beam of
74 feet, 4 inches and a displacement of more than 5,200 tons. She is powered by six 10 cylinder
opposed-piston Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines which drive generators that produce electricity to
power motors providing 10,000 shaft horsepower to turn two 14’ stern propellers. These stern
propellers – each weighing 10.7 tons – drive the Mackinaw to a top speed of 19 knots (22 miles per
hour) in open water or push her through three feet of solid ice or 20 or more feet of windrow ice.
The Mackinaw’s innovative 12’ bow propeller – weighing 7.2 tons – draws water from under
the ice causing it to weaken and sag under its own weight and then, when crushed by the force
and the weight of the ship, sends it streaming along both sides of the ship reducing friction. The
protective ice belt of the hull is constructed of steel plates 1 5/8 inches thick. The Mackinaw also
has a heeling system which can shift 112,000 gallons of ballast water from one side of the ship to
the other in 90 seconds. This rocking action helps the Mackinaw free itself if stuck in the ice.
1754
French and Indian
War begins between
France and Great
Britain.
1781
1761
British build Fort
Mackinac on Mackinac
Island.
British take control of
Fort Michilimackinac.
1763
Fort Michilimackinac
taken by Native
Americans as part of
Pontiac’s War.
1764
British return aboard
the Schooner Gladwin
– first large sailing
ship to come to the
Straits area since
Le Griffon – and
retake control of Fort
Michilimackinac.
1783
Mackinac Island
becomes part of
United States.
1790
Secretary of the Treasury
Alexander Hamilton
establishes the US
Revenue Cutter Service,
forerunner of the US
Coast Guard, to enforce
customs and navigation
laws and collect tariffs.
In six decades on the Great Lakes, the USCGC Mackinaw WAGB83 aided in hundreds of search and rescue (SAR) operations including
the tragic sinking of the 588 foot freighter SS Cedarville on May 7, 1965.
When struck by the MV Topdalsfjord in heavy fog just east of the Mackinac
Bridge, the Cedarville was first aided by the MV Weissenburg and then the
Mackinaw, which transported rescued survivors to Mackinaw City. Today,
the wreck of the Cedarville lies in 80 to 100 feet of water in Lake Huron
one mile off the stern of the current location of the Mackinaw. In 2010,
the Mackinaw was honored to host a memorial service for the Cedarville
where the sailors who were lost were remembered by family, friends and
former crew of the Mackinaw.
Beginning in 2000, the Mackinaw was proud to serve as the
Christmas Tree ship bringing Christmas trees – cut down by the Mackinaw’s
crew in northern Michigan – to needy families in Chicago. Because of
its participation in this and many other important community events, the
Mackinaw enjoyed the reputation as the premier “goodwill ambassador”
for the US Coast Guard on the Great Lakes.
History
OF THE
ICEBREAKER
M AC K I NAW
MARITIME MUSEUM
When the US Coast Guard decided to retire the
Mackinaw and replace her with a new and more efficient
icebreaker, a group of local citizens, determined to preserve
the history and legacy of the Icebreaker Mackinaw, came
together and secured the ship with the assistance of the Coast
Guard and elected officials. Thus was born the Icebreaker
Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Inc.
The Mackinaw was brought to her new home
in her namesake city, Mackinaw City, and
moored at the historic Chief Wawatam dock.
1812
British fire a single cannon
shot at Fort Mackinac
early in War of 1812 and
Americans surrender.
1814
Americans attempt to
retake Fort Mackinac but
lose in bloody battle.
1815
Fort Mackinac returned to
US after Treaty of Ghent is
signed ending War of 1812.
1848
US Life Saving Service
created to save the lives
of shipwrecked mariners
and passengers.
1851
Waugoshance
Lighthouse begins
operation.
For decades, the
region has been one
of the top tourist
destinations in
Michigan, enjoying
more than one and
a half million visitors
each season.
Since the Icebreaker Mackinaw was decommissioned
in 2006 and the museum opened to the public, approximately
80,000 visitors have climbed the brow to tour the ship.
Given the fact the museum is only open from late May to
early October, these visitor numbers are truly impressive.
Unlike similar ships, stripped at the time they
were decommissioned, the Icebreaker Mackinaw displays
the engines, equipment, furniture, charts, awards, tools
and related artifacts as though she is virtually ready to get
underway. The preservation and display of these historic
items portrays the reality of life aboard the Mackinaw and,
when combined with video and docent presentations,
a truly engaging and exciting educational experience is
provided to visitors.
1857
Schooners Lamplighter
and Watchful dedicated
exclusively to lighthouse
service on Great Lakes.
1869
McGulpin Point
Lighthouse begins
operation.
1862
Three confederacy
sympathizers held
as prisoners at Fort
Mackinac during
Civil War.
1876
1873
St. Helena Lighthouse
begins operation on
St. Helena Island.
US Coast Guard Academy
established originally as
the Revenue Cutter Service
School of Instruction.
1875
Mackinac National
Park established by
federal government.
The location of the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum at the historic Chief
Wawatam dock is nothing short of spectacular. From the fantail of the Mackinaw, the
visitor is treated to a stunning panoramic view of the Straits of Mackinac including the
five-mile long Mackinac Bridge, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and historic Mackinac,
Round and Bois Blanc Islands. Freighter, ferry and recreational boating traffic are very
active throughout the warmer months in the straits and, on mornings when the mist is
heavy, the resounding fog horns create an eerie rhythm. And for decades, the Straits of
Mackinac have been known as the finish line for the famous Chicago Yacht Club Race to
Mackinac and Bayview Mackinac Race.
The Chief Wawatam dock, situated near the heart of downtown Mackinaw City
between two well-equipped marinas and the Mackinac Island ferry boat docks, is a hub
of summer activity.
Mackinaw City is also the home of Fort Michilimackinac – a “living” colonial-era
fort at the water’s edge - and the well-known Old Mackinac Point and McGulpin Point
lighthouses which further add to the rich history of the region.
Given the museum’s location amidst the history of Mackinaw City, the sheer
beauty of the Straits of Mackinac, the incredible number of visitors who frequent
the region and the impressive history and importance of the Icebreaker Mackinaw, the
Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum is well-positioned for continued growth and
future success.
1880
Railroad line comes to
Mackinaw City.
1892
1887
Old Mackinac Point
Lighthouse constructed
and begins operation.
Grand Hotel opens
on Mackinac Island.
1889
Light station established
in Mackinaw City.
1895
Fort Mackinac closed by
US Army after 115 years of
service.
1895
Round Island Lighthouse
constructed and begins
operation.
Future
OF THE
1898
Chicago Yacht Club Race
to Mackinac begins with
five yachts competing.
1911
Chief Wawatam
train ferry
launched by Toledo
Shipbuilding
Company, sails to St.
Ignace and begins
train ferry service.
ICEBREAKER
M AC K I NAW
MARITIME MUSEUM
The history of the northern Great Lakes is incredibly rich and interesting with stories of exploration,
adventure, risk and reward. From the early days when French Voyageurs traded with local Native Americans
to today’s thousand-foot freighters laden with tons of raw materials fighting the storms, fog and winter ice of
the Great Lakes, the stories waiting to be told are engaging, exciting and entertaining.
For instance, few people know it’s estimated that more than 6,000 shipwrecks are located in the
Great Lakes and almost half of those in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The history of shipwrecks in the
northern Great Lakes begins with the loss of the Griffin (Le Griffon) in 1679; a brigantine built and sailed from
Lake Erie to Lake Michigan by French explorer Robert de la Salle. The Griffin disappeared with a crew of
six and a load of furs somewhere it’s believed near the Straits of Mackinac while returning to Niagara from
LaSalle’s camp near Green Bay, Wisconsin. More recently, ships have been lost in fog or storms in or around
the Straits of Mackinac. In fact, one such freighter, the SS Cedarville, sits at the bottom of Lake Huron, a mile
off the stern of the current location of the Mackinaw, after colliding with the MV Topdalsfjord in heavy fog in
1965. Sadly, on that day, ten of the Cedarville crew were lost.
1915
President Woodrow
Wilson establishes
the US Coast Guard
by merging the US
Revenue Cutter
Service and the US
Life Saving Service.
1912
Schooner Rouse Simmons
– the original Christmas
Tree Ship – sinks in
storms on Lake Michigan
while en route to Chicago
with load of Christmas
trees.
1925
Bayview Mackinac Boat
Race is established with
13 yachts competing.
1942
1939
US Coast Guard
assumes control of
Bureau of Marine
Inspection and
Navigation.
US Coast Guard assumes
control of the US Lighthouse
Service. Congress establishes
USCG Auxiliary.
1941
US Congress authorizes
construction of
Mackinaw WAGB-83
ten days after bombing
of Pearl Harbor as US
enters WWII.
1943
Keel of the Mackinaw
WAGB-83 laid by
Toledo Shipbuilding
Company.
1944
Mackinaw WAGB-83
is commissioned.
Stories...
1957
Mackinac Bridge
opens connecting
Michigan’s upper and
lower peninsulas.
1960
Old Mackinac Point
Light station closed.
1959
Fort Mackinac opens as
living history museum.
1965
Mackinaw WAGB-83 assists in
rescue of crew of SS Cedarville
after struck by MV Topdalsfjord.
Survivors transferred from MV
Weissenburg to the Mackinaw and
transported to Mackinaw City.
Cedarville sinks and ten lives
are lost.
Waiting to be Told!
Near the museum, the magnificent Mackinac Bridge spans five miles across the Straits of Mackinac and is the
third longest suspension bridge in the world. At mid-span the roadway is 200 feet above the water, its two main towers
are 550 feet above the water at their top and the main tower piers stand as much as 200 feet tall below the surface of the
water. Opened in 1957, it’s fascinating to realize the construction of the bridge required 42,000 miles of cable, 931,000
tons of concrete, nearly five million rivets and more than one million steel bolts. Annually, nearly four million vehicles
cross the “Mighty Mac” and its image serves as the pictorial icon for northern Michigan.
Likewise, the geology and geography of the Great Lakes are also truly remarkable and tell amazing stories.
Formed 10,000 years ago when the Laurentide Ice Sheet receded and the ice melted, the lakes measure more than 80,000
square miles and contain 20% of the surface fresh water in the entire world. The Great Lakes have more than 10,000
miles of coastline and Michigan – with 3,288 miles of coastline – is second only to Alaska. In the Great Lakes and
connecting rivers, there are estimated to be 35,000 islands; 17,500 of which are in Georgian Bay in Lake Huron alone.
Early in the last century, respected brand names like Chris Craft, GarWood, Hacker Craft, Century and Dodge
were all built in Michigan. The very mention of these exquisite vessels immediately recalls the era of the artisan-crafted
mahogany wood boat, when their owners proudly piloted them through the northern inland lakes and the Straits of
Mackinac. To this very day, some of the most widely-known collector boat events occur in the Straits area, attracting
collectors from all over the country to our unforgettable shores.
Sadly, the Great Lakes are also an environmental battleground. Ecological challenges range from invasive species
like Zebra Mussels, Sea Lampreys and Asian Carp to toxic chemical pollution, loss of shoreline and wetlands, declining
biodiversity and global climate change! Educating the public about these and many more environmental issues is critically
important to maintaining and improving the health of the lakes.
1975
2002
1999
SS Edmund Fitzgerald
sinks during a November
storm in Lake Superior
with 29 lives lost.
US Coast Guard placed
under authority of
the Department of
Homeland Security.
Old Mackinaw Point
Lighthouse restoration
begins.
1984
Chief Wawatam train
ferry service ends.
2000
Mackinaw WAGB-83 revives
role of Christmas Tree Ship
bringing Christmas trees to
Chicago’s needy families.
Today, recreational boating drives an enormous
portion of the Great Lakes economy and provides an
important quality of life activity to those who enjoy
life on the water or vacationing on its shoreline. The
eight states bordering the Great Lakes have 3.7 million
registered boat owners - one third of the Nation’s total!
Further, the estimated value of the commercial and
sport fishery activities on the Great Lakes is $4.5 billion!
Further education about issues like marine safety, habitat
management, water pollution, controlling invasive
species, and overfishing is key to the future of this region
and beyond.
These are but a few of the compelling storylines
related to the Straits of Mackinac and each one provides
the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum with rich
content to present in interesting and exciting exhibits
and educational programs.
Charting
THE
COURSE
Charting the course to a future that will enable the Icebreaker Mackinaw
Maritime Museum to succeed and thrive, the Museum has developed a multi-phase
plan to bring both stability and growth. The Museum has determined further, as it
grows, it will do so in an incremental, responsible manner; focusing first on acquiring
the resources needed to secure and maintain its most important assets, the Icebreaker
Mackinaw and its home, the Chief Wawatam dock.
Second, as it enjoys more success in visitor attendance and building broadbased member and donor support, the Museum will pursue the construction of a
facility that will permit a broader range of exhibits and educational programming.
Importantly, this Museum facility will permit a year round operation and, therefore, a
much greater ability to reach regional and, eventually, statewide audiences - specifically
schools - during the non-summer months.
PHASE 1:
Off Our Bow
In the immediate future or “off our bow”, the Icebreaker
Mackinaw Maritime Museum needs support to accomplish the
following goals:
• Develop infrastructure to operate a successful
museum enterprise.
• Short-term improvements to ship to
enhance visitor experience.
• Purchase Chief Wawatam dock and repair seawalls.
• Improvements to surface of Chief Wawatam
dock to ensure visitor safety and enhance
visitor experience.
• Conduct feasibility study to assess potential for
construction of museum facility.
2011
Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
celebrates fifth anniversary.
2004
Restored Old Mackinac
Point Lighthouse reopens.
2006
Mackinaw WAGB-83
decommissioned and turned
over to Icebreaker Mackinaw
Maritime Museum. Final
voyage of Mackinaw from
home port of Cheboygan
to Chief Wawatam dock in
Mackinaw City.
First, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
will carefully grow its operational structure to ensure sound
and professional museum management. The Museum will
attract multi-dimensional dedicated professionals in order to
expand its programs, membership and financial supporters
while keeping the structure as lean as possible. At all times,
the highest standards will be maintained in the areas of
fundraising, financial management, and growth planning
for the Museum. Further distinguishing itself, the Museum
will prepare for and seek accreditation by the American
Association of Museums.
Second, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
will make improvements to the Mackinaw to enhance the
visitor’s experience. This includes installation or improvement
of water, sanitation, heating and ventilation systems on board
the ship. Once completed, these improvements will permit
the Museum to offer “sleep aboard” opportunities which will
provide a unique experience for visitors to see what life was
like aboard ship. It would also permit the Museum to offer a
limited menu of food items to the public to make their visit
more enjoyable and increase the Museum’s potential to host
on board events such as receptions, weddings and corporate
events. All of these improvements will add to the revenue
generation capability of the Museum and, in the long-term,
help to secure its financial position.
Third, the Museum plans to purchase the Chief
Wawatam dock and repair the seawalls in order to secure
the location as the Museum’s permanent home. The
Chief Wawatam dock has a century-long history itself
as the terminal for the train ferry crossing the Straits of
Mackinac. The structure that remains of the A-frame
will be repaired and status as a National Historic
Landmark site will be investigated.
Fourth, once ownership of the dock is secured
and the seawalls repaired, landscape improvements will
be made to the Chief Wawatam dock that will create an
inviting green space for the public to enjoy. As stated,
the view of the Straits from the dock is unparalleled
in its beauty and allows the visitor to truly appreciate
the northern Great Lakes as they watch recreational
boats, ferry traffic and the frequent freighters that ply
the waters. Improvements to the dock will include trees
and shrubs, concrete or brick walkways, comfortable
park seating, restrooms and, eventually, a small,
temporary facility to house the Museum’s ticket office,
an all purpose room and an exhibit area.
Fifth, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime
Museum will conduct a feasibility study to assess
visitor and revenue potential for the construction of a
year-round museum facility. If the results of the study
confirm the viability of such a facility and confirm
positive economic conditions, a capital campaign will
be launched.
Did you know?
On an average day, the US Coast Guard…
Saves 13 lives – Responds to 64 search and rescue cases
Rescues 77% of mariners in imminent danger
Keeps 959 lbs of cocaine off the streets
Saves $260,000 in property – Interdicts 10 undocumented workers
Services 49 buoys – Provides a presence in all major ports
Screens 679 commercial vessels – Investigates 10 pollution incidents
…and much more!
When first approached about the IMMM board position, I was surprised that
Mackinaw City had the opportunity to have the Icebreaker located here. The
Queen of the Great Lakes retired in the city that’s the Queen of Hospitality! The
pure majesty of the ship is beyond words! As a student of WWII with a patriotic
bent, I am honored to be a part of this project. To preserve something of this
magnitude for future generations seems to me a very worthwhile endeavor. So
far, in spite of financial constraints, we have accomplished a great deal.
We look forward to building a Great Lakes museum with exhibit, classroom and
meeting space but the Mackinaw will always be the focal point of the
entire operation. All that we do in the future will serve to enhance the
impact of the Mackinaw on our visitors and, coupled with our
great location and tourism traffic, should guarantee IMMM becoming
the most visited maritime museum in the State of Michigan.
RJ Fisher, IMMM Board Member
and Owner of Pancake Chef
PHASE 2:
On the Horizon
The Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum believes the
opportunity to become a world class maritime and marine museum
is “on the horizon”. Synergy vibrates in the combination of the area’s
history of attracting millions of visitors and the Mackinaw’s inspiring
location at the Chief Wawatam dock. Mix in the broad range of rich
maritime stories to be told through interactive educational exhibits
and exciting experiences, all anchored by the Icebreaker Mackinaw
as the primary attraction, and the result is the formula for long-term
success. The Museum sees the following “on the horizon”:
• Construction of an environmentally-responsible
museum facility maximizing flexible educational,
exhibit and event space.
• Incorporation of advanced educational
technologies to create unique, hands-on
educational exhibits and experiences.
• Educational programming delivered through
on-site, mobile and virtual learning environments.
• An endowment fund to provide for long-term
ship’s care and maintenance.
First, to meet the challenge of becoming a world class
maritime and marine museum, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime
Museum plans to construct a 15 to 20,000 square foot, state-of-theart, non-traditional museum facility. Because museums today must
offer more than the traditional display of static exhibits, the Museum
will construct a space that is flexible and adaptable permitting
multiple uses of the same space. What may be exhibit space one
day can be transformed into classroom space the next day and event
space the next day.
In addition, the building will be constructed to Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards to demonstrate
a commitment to environmental responsibility. In so doing, the
facility itself will underscore the educational messages presented
within the Museum regarding the importance of environmental
issues like conservation, preservation and sustainability.
Second, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum expects
to incorporate advanced educational technologies throughout
its educational programming. Today’s museum visitor brings an
expectation of technological sophistication and the Museum will
strive to meet – and surpass – this expectation. Museum visitors
will be permitted to connect, via personal wireless devices, to the
Museum’s collection database so they can customize their information
gathering experience. In so doing, a visitor can explore as much or as
little information about an exhibit as they desire and even download
information for future use.
Visitors will also be able to track commercial freighter traffic
traveling routes through lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, and
the locks at Sault Sainte Marie.
The irony of visiting the Icebreaker Mackinaw in the summer months
is the visitor cannot see, hear and feel the experience of breaking ice. But,
through a simulator, the Museum intends to provide the visitor the opportunity
to experience the crunching sensation of pushing the ship into three feet of
solid ice; the deafening noise of the ice giving way under the weight of the
ship as it is crushed by the bow propeller; and the feel of a blast of chilled air
in their face as if they were standing on the bridge of the ship. Through such
an experience, the visitor will truly be able to understand the purpose, power
and potential of the Icebreaker Mackinaw.
The same technology will also be used to simulate a dive on one of
the shipwrecks of the Straits; piloting a helicopter during a Coast Guard
search and rescue; or controlling the helm of a vessel navigating the Straits
in heavy fog or stormy seas. In sum, these simulations will allow visitors to
have an unparalleled educational and entertainment experience that exceeds
their expectations, leading to return visits and positive word-of-mouth
recommendations.
Third, because a visit to the museum may be beyond the means of
many schools or families, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum is
committed to expanding its reach through mobile and virtual classrooms.
During the slower winter season, the Museum plans to take its programs to
schools throughout the State of Michigan by transporting its simulator as part
of a “mobile classroom”. In so doing, students will be able to experience “the
reality” of the Icebreaker Mackinaw experience and take a virtual tour of the
Mackinaw via a network of on board cameras.
Last, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, as the steward of
the Icebreaker Mackinaw, will continue to build its endowment and related
funds in order to care for and maintain the ship in a condition suitable for
public visitation and enjoyment. As it has since its beginning, the Museum will
continue to draw upon the countless contributed hours from volunteers, Boy
Scout groups and others in order to maintain the ship in “Bristol” condition.
As we chart a course to an exciting future,
we invite you to come aboard the Mackinaw and join us.
Visit the museum next time you travel to the Straits of Mackinac.
Become a member of the museum at www.themackinaw.org.
Become a financial partner or corporate sponsor
and help us build a successful future.
Share our story and vision with others who appreciate the
rich history of the Icebreaker Mackinaw and the
incredible beauty of the Straits of Mackinac.
Semper Paratus!
The opportunity to visit the Icebreaker Mackinaw was a
fantastic experience. To see her in “ready” condition
to go back to work on the lakes was even more
amazing. Having visited several maritime museums over
the years, none had preserved their vessel in nearly
working condition and located it in the area where
she worked day in and day out for so many years. The
tour made it possible to imagine how life
was experienced while working on the Great Lakes
during the toughest season of the year.
No other vessel is as synonymous with commercial
Great Lakes shipping as the Mackinaw.
She is a gift to those of us who appreciate
living around and cruising on the Great Lakes.
Dr. Richard Mertz
Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
131 S. Huron Street • P.O. Box 39 • Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Telephone 231 436-9825 • www.themackinaw.org
A Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Michigan Corporation