Great Lakes Boat Blog

MV Great Republic delivers coal in Manistee

September 26, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — The MV Great Republic delivered coal to Morton Salt along Manistee Lake Friday, Sept. 26. The ship arrived about 5 a.m. and unloaded until past 6 p.m. The Great Republic is operated by Great Lakes Fleet, Inc. of Duluth, Minn. and is managed by Key Lakes, Inc. It was built by Bay Shipbuilding Co.…

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The shipwrecks of 1929: 25 lost on the S.S. Andaste

September 17, 2025

Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake and the Mason County Historical Society, which operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Archives in downtown Ludington. Part 1: S.S. Andaste By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The last four months of 1929…

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Working the Great Lakes: Keeping the tug Undaunted maintained

September 14, 2025

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Hankwitz Heating & Cooling, 609 S. Washington Ave., Ludington; 231-843-2809. By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributor LUDINGTON — September 2 found me on the Rieth-Riley Construction Ludington dock once again meeting the tug Undaunted and barge Pere Marquette 41 as they had arrived in Ludington with a cargo of aggregate for Rieth-Riley. They…

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Sinking of the PM 18 occurred 115 years ago; Sept. 9, 1910

September 8, 2025

This story is also available via podcast and webcast.  Please be sure to subscribe to the Great Lakes History Blog podcast through most popular podcast apps such as Spotify and Apple Podcast. You may also access it directly here. Please also consider subscribing to the Great Lakes History Blog YouTube channel here. By subscribing to these services, the programs show…

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Badger offering Great Lake Getaway fall travel special

September 4, 2025

LUDINGTON — Fall is a great time of year to explore the Great Lakes. The kids are back in school, the air is crisp, the sky features radiant sunrises and sunsets, and harvests are being celebrated throughout the region. It’s also a great time to enjoy a ride across Lake Michigan on the historic S.S. Badger car ferry. Lake Michigan…

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