Masters of the PM Steamers

From Beaver Island fisherman to captain of a Great Lakes legend

July 17, 2026

Masters of the PM Steamers This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Every September, the sinking of Pere Marquette 18 is remembered as one of the greatest maritime disasters in the history of Lake Michigan. The Sept. 9, 1910 tragedy claimed 30…

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Descendants of PM captain connect with family history at maritime museum

July 6, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the most rewarding parts of serving as a director of the Mason County Historical Society is sharing Mason County’s history with people who have a personal connection to it. A couple weeks ago, I…

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From ship enthusiast to carferry captain, Gregg Andersen lived a Lake Michigan dream

June 18, 2026

Masters of the PM Steamers This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Few people have spent more time watching Lake Michigan carferries than Capt. Gregg Andersen. Long before he commanded the SS Badger, Andersen was a boy standing along the…

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Searching for the masters of Lake Michigan’s railroad steamers

June 15, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Over the weekend I ventured out on a whirlwind Great Lakes maritime history tour. The purpose of the trip was to gather information for my Masters of the PM Steamers project, which will tell the…

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Four generations of the Butler family helped shape Great Lakes maritime history

June 5, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s Note: This story was first published on March 16, 2026. Since that time, I have had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Butler, the keeper of the Butler family archives and have found out much…

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