Newspaper Search

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
Manitowoc Pilot Excursion boat Favorite 3 Capsized in a storm a short distance off Lincoln Park Chicago
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Steambarge Favorite 1877-08-09 8 A collision occurred near Racine between the Favorite and Channon. The Channon sinking almost immediately.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Wrecker Favorite 1909-06-04 1 The car ferry Ann Arbor No. 4 capsized at her loading slip in Manistique Mich. The wrecker Favorite has been sent for.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Wrecker Favorite 1902-09-26 1 Steamer Sheboygan strands on rocky reef off the old pier at Stony Creek. Tugs Arctic and John Leathem couldn't release but the wrecker Favorite did.
Door County Advocate Tug Favorite 1903-12-26 1 Will have to winter at Sailors Encampment
Door County Advocate Wrecker Favorite 1893-05-20 5 Trying to float City of Rome
Door County Advocate Tug Favorite 1890-08-02 8 Recovered 200 tons of freight jettisoned by the Kate Winslow
Door County Advocate Steambarge Favorite 1888-06-30 3 Ran into and sank steamer Van Raalt
Door County Advocate Propeller Favorite 1887-05-28 3 Will tow a lumber scow
Door County Advocate Propeller Favorite 1886-04-29 3 Went southward

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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.

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