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Sea Stories Capt. Richard Metz  |
Out of Print
A few years ago, retired Great Lakes Capt. Richard Metz began posting
his "Sea Stories," drawn from his long career aboard U.S. and Canadian
steamboats, on the boatnerd.com website. Someone suggested he turn those
stories into a book, and Metz has done just that. |
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Historic Lake Vessels in Color Collector Photo Series #1 Marine Historical Society of Detroit  |
This is the first of a series of books featuring rare color photographs of Great Lakes ships. The book features twenty-four pictures plus those shown on the front and back covers. The pictures, approximately 7 by 10 inches, are reproduced from slides photographed mostly from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. The rarity of these photos is the primary consideration for their selection. A brief history is included for each ship. |
| “UNDAUNTED: The Story of a United States Navy Tug and Her Crew in World War II” By F Lincoln Grahlfs  |
The author was a member of the
original crew of the USS ATA-199 (later named UNDAUNTED). The tug today
operates on the Great Lakes for Pere Marquette Shipping pushing the
barge PM 41. The self published book details the experiences aboard the tug in World War II. |
| S.S. Badger:
The Lake Michigan Carferry By Art Chavez  |
As with most Arcadia books, this one relies heaviest on historic photos to tell its story, and there are some gems included, not only of the Badger but of the train and auto ferries that preceded her in the cross-lake trade. Also reproduced are old advertising brochures, tickets, christening programs and the like from Badger and her fleetmates, as well as greatly reduced but still legible Badger blueprints. Chavez has done a first-rate job writing about a subject he obviously knows well. This book is a must, not only for lake ship and ferry fans, but for train buffs as well, since the Badger was originally built for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. |
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The Revised First Volume of
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The first volume of Ahoy & Farewell, no longer in print, was originally written in 1969. This much anticipated revised copy was release in November 2002. With few exceptions, more than 700 vessels of 1000 gross registered tons or more that comprised the US and Canadian Great Lakes fleet are included in this book, keeping in tune with Ahoy & Farewell II (over 440 vessels). This revised and rewritten hardbound book is 235 pages long compared to 120 pages of the original Ahoy & Farewell book and includes over 90 high quality, and in many cases, very rare photographs. No expense was spared on the heavy duty binding, high quality paper, the colorful dust jacket, or the unique hardbound cover, which includes the dust jacket color photo. |
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Ninety-Five Years
Young: The Story of the S.S. Keewatin, 1907 to the Present |
Bob and Cindy Zimmerman have published the book "Ninety-Five Years Young: The Story of the S.S. Keewatin, 1907 to the Present." The book tells the
story of this historic steamer from its construction in 1907 in Scotland,
its operation on the Great Lakes for the Canadian Pacific Railway from
1907
to 1967 and its present use as a privately-owned marine museum in the
Douglas/Saugatuck, Mich. area. Included are many rare photos and the
stories
of many who worked aboard the vessel during its long career. |
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U.S. Freighters of |
"U.S. Freighters of the Great Lakes" Earl Joey Reaume Jr., 2001, Border Publishing Co., Sault Ste. Marie, MI. (251 pages, $30) As the title implies, this book looks at U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters around in the 1980s to the present (including many that were in layup waiting to be scrapped or converted into barges during the period). The volume, which features 40 pages of black and white photos, delves deep into the history of each and also includes their vital statistics (courtesy of "Know Your Ships"). |
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The Real
Shanty Days |
The Real Shanty Days offers 84
spiral bound pages, 97 photo's and tells the history of 30 commercial fish tugs which
have (and do) operated from the Port of Algoma, Wi. Some of these tugs are
still in existence operating on Lake Michigan and a couple of them now are
found on Lake Superior. Order from: Wendell Wilke, 1528 Steele St., Algoma, WI 54201. $18.00 (postage and handling included). Note: Canadian orders are $22.00. |
Our
"Downriver" River |
This publication is focused primarily on the nautical
history of the communities located on the lower half of the Detroit river, the many
Downriver islands, and the river itself. It begins in Wyandotte and continues down to the
beginning of Lake Erie, including Trenton, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Amherstburg, Ontario,
and all of the smaller islands, including Crystal Bay. The once sold out book has recently been reprinted in a "Collector Edition" in hard cover. |
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The Ships of Collingwood |
A revised "The Ships of Collingwood" has been written by
Skip Gillham and is now available.
It updates his 1992 book and outlines various changes
related to the vessels since the original was released.
The publication covers 228 pages and includes 329 photos
with many new and a few very unusual shots.
The Ships of Collingwood
Skip Gillham, 2001. 228 pages, softcover,
many black and
white photos. Available for $30 from Skip Gillham at 3750 King St., Vineland, ON L0R 2C0.
(US locations, remit in US funds.) |
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Ships of the |
Welcome
aboard some of the grandest ships to ever sail the Great Lakes, and
sample the culinary delicacies served on each. The book offers far more
than recipes (although there are 400 of those included). The book also
covers the histories of 40 Great Lakes ships and profiles many of the
chefs whose recipes are reproduced. There are photos of many of the
vessels and cooks as well.
Three years in the making, the new title
is a terrific achievement from any point of view. Check out recipes
from Great Lakes ships of every stripe, from tall ships to freighters,
Great Lakes museum ships to passenger ships, U.S. Coast Guard
vessels, Michigan State carferries and even the Edmund
Fitzgerald.
To order Ships of the Great Lakes Cookbook: Discover Their Culinary Legends call (800) 947-4136. Order on-line at www.cookbookpublishing.com |
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Lighthouses of Lake
Michigan, Past and Present |
A
richly-illustrated volume that contains histories and photographs of
often-visited Lake Michigan lighthouses plus photographs of a number of
lighthouses that are not accessible to the average enthusiast.
Author/photographer Wayne Sapulski has spent the past eight years taking
original photographs, doing research and collecting archival prints to
produce this volume, which includes a couple of interesting stories
about his efforts to obtain photos. Beginning with a chronology of the
development of Great Lakes lighthouses as aids to navigation, the author
presents a brief history of each light. Included are a number of
historical facts and photos of predecessor lights from the files
of the U.S. Coast Guard and National Archives, along with the current
status and directions to find present day lights. The book
contains 253 color photographs and 173 historical photos. The book is available directly from Wilderness Adventure Books, P.O. Box 856, Manchester, MI 48158. Or at your local book store and online at Amazon.com. |
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A Year In Paradise: How
We Lived Our Dream |
Did you ever dream of chucking it all, buying a sailboat and sailing off into the sunset? Steve and Margaret Watterson spent a year on their 30-foot sailboat Witch of Endor traveling from Cleveland to the Florida Keys and back. In this book they describe their experience in order to share it with those who seek a similar escape. Besides being an adventure story, this is also a how-to guide... the book covers paying the bills, how they handled mail, shopping for groceries, insurance and more. Paradise is a must-read for anyone planning a similar getaway, or even for armchair travelers who just dream of going. www.yearinparadise.com |
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The Ships of
Canada's Marine Services |
For
the history buff and those who enjoy good photographs of ships, this
recently released book covers the period from 1850 to 2000. It
includes over 300 photographs and brief histories as well as a full
page illustration of various crests, flags and pennants. This is a history of civilian-crewed vessels owned and operated by the Canadian Coast Guard and its predecessors the Marine Service of the Department of Transport, the Department of Fisheries, the Hydrographic Service and the original Department of Marine and Fisheries. Also illustrated are the vessels of the Customs Preventive Service, the RCMP, and the Canadian Naval Auxiliary Service. Vanwell Publishing Ltd P O Box 2131 St Catharines, Ontario L2R 7S2 (905) 937-3100 |
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Most Frequently-Asked
Questions about the |
Got a question about the Welland Canal? The Welland Canals Foundation has all the answers, thanks to this informative little booklet. Margie Richie of Thorold, who has served as a volunteer guide at the St. Catharines Lock 3 Welland Canal Centre for more than 10 years, researched and compiled this report, based on her experience answering questions posed by the curious public. Want to know how much it costs a vessel to use the Canal? The answer is here. How much water does it take to fill a lock? How large is a lock? Why do they raise the Canal bridges so early? Find out in Richie's book. Address the Welland Canal Foundation, 63 Church St., Suite 400, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3C4 for more information. |
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Debt of Conscience |
The President of the United States is faced with the greatest challenge in this nation's history; the fulfillment of the prophecy, by the great Shawnee warrior Tecumseh, that will return their nation to the Native Americans. The stability of the United States becomes suspect, and the Nation is facing a disaster of global proportions. When the situation seems at its worst, catastrophe strikes. As a result of a terrorist act, the North American Great Lakes are receding and their very existence is in jeopardy! The mysterious and unlikely link between these threatening issues lies beneath the arid desert wasteland North of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Read all about it @: www.lorenzobooks.com |
| "Great Laker" exploring all things Great Lakes, from lighthouses to
lake boats, legends and lore, to lakes, ports and the wonderful attractions they have to offer. |
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Salties 2000 - 2001 |
This new publication owes its origin to the "LAKERS & SALTIES" series and was "spun-off" this year as a separate publication to benefit those boatwatchers whose interest in salties may be greater than their interest in lakers (or vice versa!). This change has allowed for even more information to be contained without any commensurate increase in price. Purchasers of this book will be advised when the new "LAKERS 2000-2001" book becomes available.
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Ida's Ride |
A novel centered on the Great Lakes. Ida Reed sails the lakes in
search of herself, taking challenges head on, but never demanding sympathy in her role as
a sensitive, daring woman who ultimately finds plenty of action, unreal adventure and
love, aboard the SS JAKOB STRUMP. Price $9.95+ $4.00 shipping and handling (Priority Mail) or can be shipped
book rate (two to three weeks=$1.00). Click on cover to the left to order by e-mail.
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The Arteries |
A novel of the Great Lakes during the 1970's. Dana Parker, a young seaman, joins his first lake boat at the start of a season. Over the course of a year, he discovers more about himself and his shipmates than he expected. Dana's loyalties are torn between his friendship with the second mate, and a sense of obligation to the chief. His situation is aggravated by his knowledge of the flaws in both men, his personal misadventures, and a tendency to work hard at getting along. When Parker's mentor, the chief mate, comes to grief, Dana must find his own inner strength. He succeeds in his quest, only to face a final trial alone during an early winter storm on Lake Superior. |
Mail by the Pail |
Mail by the Pail is a delightful children's story that illustrates the mail delivery system for the ships on the Great Lakes. Through the story of a young girl and her quest to send her father a birthday card. |
Graveyards of
the |
The latest volume by Mark L. Thompson, author of “A Sailor’s Logbook” and “Queen of the Lakes.” “Graveyards” examines specific Great Lakes shipwrecks, from the 1679 loss of the Griffon to the explosion of the tanker Jupiter in 1990, with an eye to the economic, political and psychological factors involved. He includes factual accounts of more than 100 wrecks, and suggests that most of the accidents and deaths on the lakes have been the result of human error, ranging from simple mistakes to gross incompetence. Further, Thompson, a seasoned Great Lakes sailor, concludes that rather than learn from those errors, shipowners, captains and crews throughout Great Lakes history have been slow to accept change that would result in greater safety. |
Keepers & Cutters
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Shipwreck historian Frederick Stonehouse’s latest work, the stories of 14 famous and heroic lighthouse keepers ranging from coast to coast, and the new, Great Lakes-built U.S. Coast Guard cutters (George Cobb, Ida Lewis, Frank Drew, etc.) named after them. The book covers the life and times of the keepers, how they did their jobs, their daily routines and the lamps and lenses that kept the lights burning. Finally, it is about the ships themselves, how the Coast Guard will use them and the vessels they are replacing. |
Imperial
Oil Tankers |
This 44 page book outlines the
long heritage of the Imperial Tanker fleet on the Great Lakes. It contains 83 photos with
color on the covers.
The book details the history of Imperial Oil's powered Great Lakes tankers. Starting with
the purchase of the Reginald in 1900, the book explains the fleets history up to the 1998
sale of Imperial Oil's Great Lakes Fleet. Examples of the different ships are detailed
including a photo illustration.
Imperial Oil Tankers of the Great Lakes Skip Gillham, 2000. 44 pages, softcover, many black and white photos. Available for $16 from Skip Gillham at 3750 King St., Vineland, ON L0R 2C0 (US locations remit in US funds.) |
Keepers
of Valor, |
Author Wes Oleszewski’s
newest narrative of the true stories of Great Lakes maritime adventure. As in all of his
books, the author takes the reader back in time to witness, in detail, events and true
adventures gone by. From lighthouses to life-saving stations to leaky wooden lakeboats the
readers will skip from one era to another and experience history as it happened. No matter if the reader is a shipwreck buff, lighthouse person, history enthusiast, or simply a recreational reader, everyone will enjoy the up-lifting sagas of the keepers of valor. |
| On May 7, 1965, the limestone carrier Cedarville was approaching the Mackinac Bridge in heavy fog when it was struck amidships by the Norwegian freighter Topdalsfjord. The Cedarville's captain tried to run for shallow water, but to no avail. The Cedarville rolled over and sank, taking 10 of her crew with her. To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the sinking, Out of the Blue Productions has released "Tragedy in the Straits: S.S. Cedarville Remembered," a 93-minute long video that includes the vessel's history, underwater footage of the wreck and interviews with eight of the survivors and one of the rescuers. Out of the Blue previously issued videos on the Daniel J. Morrell and Carl D. Bradley sinkings, and also publishes the book "Sole Survivor: The Dennis Hale Story." | |
| The new 24 page booklet is amply illustrated with color photos and drawings, and includes the history of the Soo Locks, how the locks operate, a look at the ships of the Soo Locks, a Soo Locks fact book, and an overview of the Twin Sault Ste. Marie area ... $7.95 from Marine Publishing. | |
Coal to Canada |
The history of the rail car ferries Ontario No.1 and Ontario No.2 which operated out of Cobourg, Ontario, during the first half of the 20th century. The history of this marine operation--which transported both coal and passengers across Lake Ontario--is brought to life through the recollections of crew and passengers, more than one hundred photographs and company artifacts. |
Tin Stackers |
"Tin Stackers" is
the only comprehensive history of the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., which today operates as
USS Great Lakes Fleet. For many decades, Pittsburgh Steamship Co. was the largest and most
influential fleet on the lakes. Drawing on company records and interviews with officials and sailors, author Al Miller tells of the struggle to assemble and steamline the fleet, how it battled organized labor, and how it led the way in efficient operation, technological advancement and employee safety. |
A Sailor's Logbook |
A book that details a firsthand account of the life aboard the ships of the Great Lakes. Thompson began his logbook after he reported for duty aboard the Calcite II at Fraser Shipyard in Superior, Wisconsin, for the 1996 shipping season. A Sailors Logbook is the first such book to chronicle a sailor's life at the end of the twentieth century. Not just a detailing of weather, cargo, and crew relations, A Sailors Logbook is also an account of the daily lives of a diverse group of crewmembers as they share their sailing knowledge, ''sea stories,'' and the many memories that accompany the pictures. |
| This quarterly publication of the Marsh Collection Society reprints the "MARINE NEWS" columns and other relevant articles from the Amherstburg Echo, beginning with the first issue in November, 1874. These weekly columns are a record of the ships that plied the Great Lakes, the brave people who sailed them and the dramatic events which unfolded on the "inland seas". | |
| This book covers over 440
different vessels during the twenty-five year period from 1969 ending in 1994. Ahoy &
Farewell II offers an in depth life history of each vessel with statistics and renames,
ownership changes as well as anecdotal information when available [which is considerable]
. A must for anyone interested in the boats or those who have sailed on them. 250 pages,
65 pictures and an extensive 8 page cross index. Now available in hard cover. |
|
| A compilation of vessels that currently ply the Great Lakes, with histories, cross referenced by former names. | |
The Travellers guide |
A tourist's guide to 21
Ontario micro and regional breweries. It contains the history of the brewery and
discription of their products, the hours their beer stores are open (these are the only
places to by beer on a Sunday) and maps of each location. In addition their is a chapter
on pubs and restaurants with over 500 entries each one of these has at least one Ontario
micro-brewery beer on tap and also a chapter listing brew-pubs. It has a short general
history of brewing in Ontario and a odd facts. Vanwell Publishing Ltd. 1 Northrup Cres., P.O. Box 2131 St. Catharines, Ont. L2R 7S2 |
The
Steamer William A. Irvin: Queen of the Silver Stackers |
This book is a comprehensive
history of the retired U.S. Steel ore boat William A. Irvin, which has been open to the
public in Duluth since 1986. The book includes the building of the vessel, a short
biography of William A. Irvin, highlights of the vessel's career, and a discussion of the
reasons why the vessel was retired. Interviews with former crewmembers, former guests, and
William A. Irvin's relatives are also included, as well as the struggle to preserve the
vessel as a museum. There is also a complete history covering the 1,292 cargoes the vessel
carried in its career. The book includes many pictures of the vessel during its career,
guests who sailed aboard, and other vessels currently sailing the Great Lakes. Whether you
have toured the Irvin or not, and regardless of your level of interest in Great Lakes
ships there is something in the book for you. Avery Color Studios of Gwinn, MI. |
Dining on Inland
Seas |
Now you can learn about collecting Ship China in DINING ON INLAND SEAS, the first book to accurately document, describe and illustrate the china used aboard ships sailing the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. |
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