Iron Monsters: The Winans Cigar Ships

"She is like nothing now afloat." Harper's Weekly, 23 October 1858 Another Ambitious Design This is another topic that I have long wanted to discuss here on the blog, the Winan's Cigar Ships or Cigar Steamers. The story of Ross and his son Thomas Winans and their cigar ships is similar to the previous blog …

Some Thoughts on the Removal of the Name “Taney” from the USCGC Taney (WHEC-37)

"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission." Rear Admiral Grace Hooper, USN This blog post is the sequel to "What's in a name? The Coast Guard Cutter Taney" Over the past week the blog post has been viewed over 1,960 times and has been shared numerous times on social media, including …

Sunk in Baltimore Harbor, the Stalwart Governor R.M. McLane

Abandoned History Although as a transportation hub, harbors are heavily used and modified over time, they too can be home to shipwrecks or ship graveyards. The seaport of Baltimore, Maryland is no exception to this. In addition to the wrecks located in both Curtis Bay and Curtis Creek (which will be discussed in a future …

What’s In A Name? The Coast Guard Cutter Taney

Commemoration Versus Historic Preservation "History is serious business and we have an obligation to confront the complex and difficult chapters of our past." Stephanie Meeks, President, National Trust for Historic Preservation With the recent "Alt-Right" KKK, and neo-nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia there has been a flurry of removal of Confederate monuments across the United …