The S.S. City of Milwaukee as a museum ship in Manistee
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
MANISTEE — The Society for the Preservation of the SS City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia recently announced its plans to place the historic SS City of Milwaukee into dry dock for inspection and repairs by launching a $1 million fundraiser.
“As historic ships age, they require increasing levels of care to remain safe and stable,” a press release states. “In recent years, several Great Lakes museum ships have experienced serious hull failure, some are even now relying on constant pumping to remain afloat. While the City of Milwaukee has avoided this, and is in great shape, we are committed to ensuring that this remains the case.”
The organization plans to have the museum ship towed to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. It will be the first time in approximately 45 years that the vessel has been in dry dock.
“While in dry dock, the underwater hull will be power-washed and sandblasted, all sea chests and underwater openings will be sealed, the propellers will be removed and stern tubes sealed, and the hull will receive two coats of marine epoxy coating with an estimated service life of 25 years or more. Additional preservation work will be completed as funding allows.”
The City of Milwaukee was built in 1931 and served most of its career under the ownership of the Grand Trunk Railroad, operating out of Muskegon. In its final years, from 1978 to 1982, the ship was chartered to the Ann Arbor Railroad and sailed out of Frankfort/Elberta.
It is now moored in Manistee and is a museum ship.
For more information about donating, visit www.carferry.com/drydock.
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