Features

The remarkable career of Capt. Joseph Russell

December 31, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Masters of the PM Steamers By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Captain Joseph Russell had a remarkable career that consisted of many historical milestones. The first ship he sailed on was the acclaimed schooner Clipper City. He was the inaugural captain of the first…

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1913 newspaper tells of new Hamlin dam, growth of the automobile, Mason County’s salt industry

December 26, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief When researching history it’s easy to go down a bunny trail and get side-tracked. This is often the case when I am looking through the massive and impressive collection of newspapers at the Mason County Historical Society’s Rose Hawley…

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Detroit inspects the Pere Marquette 17

December 21, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: I think one my favorite things about researching and writing about local history is solving mysteries. The photograph accompanying this story is a perfect example. This photo gives out a lot of information and the photographer…

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Ludington fleet captain Duddleson skippered the famed L.C. Waldo during the 1913 storm

December 19, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Masters of the PM Steamers By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief In the historical record of Ludington shipping, Capt. John Wesley Duddleson is remembered as the first skipper of the SS Flint & Pere Marquette No. 2 break-bulk freighter. But, that assignment was a…

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Capt. Muir commanded first Ludington ‘black boat’ until his death

December 17, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Masters of the PM Steamers By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief On the night of Saturday, Nov. 10, 1888, Capt. James B. Muir was in command of the Flint & Pere Marquette No. 1 when he informed his first mate that he was feeling…

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