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 …

Lightship Milwaukee: The Final Chapter

An Unexpected Journey The search for the final resting place of the former Lightship Milwaukee LV-95 (WAL-519) was an unexpected one and has been detailed extensively on this blog. I was unsatisfied with the answer that sources gave: "donated, disposition unknown." I admit my bias, I was hoping in earnest that the ship would still …

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 …

Lightship Milwaukee Breakthrough

"Many wrecks lie waiting to be found, many found wrecks wait to be identified. Only researchers continuing to delve into museums, libraries, and archives can hope to unravel the sinuous threads of history. The route is long, but there is adventure along the way and satisfaction in discovery. The rewards are intrinsic." Gary Gentile, Shipwrecks of …

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 …