Read an Excerpt
Ships & Shipwrecks
When John Masefield wrote the famous lines, “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, / And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,” he might not have had Michigan in mind; but if he visited some of the exciting ship-related stops Michigan has to offer, he might have changed the line to, “I must go down to the Lakes again.” And, of course, if you’re familiar with Michigan, you already know all about the deep blue waters of the Great Lakes, which are home to hundreds of fascinating shipwrecks.
Alpena Shipwreck Tours
500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena 49707; 888-469-4696, 989-356-8805; Thunder Bay River is just behind the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center; www.alpenashipwrecktours.com
This is Lake Huron’s Shipwreck Alley, and you can explore it and see shipwrecks even if you don’t scuba dive. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary sells tickets on the 65-foot-long Lady Michigan, a tour boat with large “glass bottom” viewing wells. You can spend 2-1/2 hours on the water learning about the ships, the shore, and the lighthouses, and you can do so comfortably, with refreshments, while away from Lake Huron’s weather.
Appledore Tall Ships: Public Sails and Dinner Cruises
Appledore Tall Ships—BaySail, 107 5th Street, Bay City 48708; 989-895-5193 www.baysailbaycity.org
The Appledore Tall Ships sail out of downtown Bay City and into Saginaw Bay, where you can experience the thrill of setting sail and catching the wind. You don’t have to worry, though, as these sailboats are supported by modern navigation and safety equipment, so you can just participate and enjoy. There are private charters that can be arranged or you can join the weekend public sails, which also feature lunch and historical information. If you are looking for something special, how about a Stargazer Sail on Saginaw River and Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay? If you still want something extra, consider having a shipboard dinner and inquire about their extended sailing expeditions. If you plan ahead, you can be on board for the area’s annual fireworks festival.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit 48207; 313-833-5538 detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/plan-your-visit/general-information
When you enter through the Gothic Room on this large ship, be prepared for opulence, which is probably not what you would expect from a shipping museum. The Gothic Room is the reconstructed gentlemen’s lounge that existed on the City of Detroit III, when industrial giants rode this ship between Detroit and Cleveland or Buffalo. The museum is operated by the Detroit Historical Society and also features the SS William Clay Ford pilot house. Here kids and adults can get a sense of what it might feel like to be in charge of one of the large vessels of the Great Lakes. The SS William Clay Ford was a 647-foot-long freighter that was built in 1952 and transported iron ore and coal to Ford’s River Rouge Steel Plant. And don’t miss the newly overhauled main exhibit, Built by the River, which discusses the relationship among Detroit, the Detroit River, and the Great Lakes.
