Search below for stories about ships, lighthouses, sailors and anything else about life on Lake Michigan. The database contains references to articles from the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record (June 12, 1873 to Jan. 7, 1927), the Door County Advocate (Nov. 8, 1861 to Dec. 22, 1949), and the Manitowoc Pilot (June 14, 1859 to Dec. 28, 1899). The results will direct you to the date and page in these newspapers where the article can be found.
Microfilm copies of the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library in Madison, Algoma Public Library in Algoma. Microfilm copies of the Door County Advocate are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library in Madison, the Door County Public Library in Sturgeon Bay, and the Brown County Library in Green Bay. Microfilm of the Manitowoc Pilot are available at the Manitowoc County Historical Society, the Manitowoc Public Library, and the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison.
Check with your local library about obtaining the microfilm via interlibrary loan.
| Newspaper | Object | Name | Date | Page | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1891-03-26 | 3 | Capt. James Tufts is having his steambarge, Mary Mills, fitted out ready to go into commission. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1891-01-01 | 3 | The steambarge Mary Mills has gone into winter quarters in this harbor. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1891-11-12 | 3 | Passed this port. It appears that she cannot be much the worse for her contact with the rocks on Green Island reef. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1891-11-26 | 3 | Captain James Tufts intends to bring his steambarge, Mary Mills, here to winter. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Barge | Mary Mills | 1890-05-29 | 3 | Stopped at this port Tuesday night bound south with a cargo of hemlock ties from Arthur Bay to Chicago, for W. H. Horn & Co. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Barge | Mary Mills | 1890-04-10 | 3 | Schooner J. W. Wright was the first arrival of the season. Barge Mary Mills was the first to clear and will take in tow the schooner Clara. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Barge | Mary Mills | 1890-04-17 | 3 | The barge Mary Mills loaded hemlock and cedar ties for Sam'l Perry and left for Chicago on Wednesday morning. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1893-10-05 | 3 | In light and remained in this harbor through Saturday's severe storm. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1894-02-22 | 3 | Kewaunee. In winter quarters here. Will receive a new spar and planking at the bows. | |
| Ahnapee (Algoma) Record | Steambarge | Mary Mills | 1894-01-04 | 3 | Thomas Swaty, who held a position as engineer on the steambarge Mary Mills during the past season, is spending the winter at his home in this city. |
This database is a cooperative effort of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association (WUAA), the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), and the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute. The project is spearheaded by WUAA member Russel Leitz, who helped develop a framework for the database and painstakingly combed through 54 years of the Ahnapee (Algoma) Record, 87 years of the Door County Advocate and 40 years of the Manitowoc Pilot for maritime news. The more than 50,000 references are the fruit of his labor alone.