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
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Yacht Wanderer 1894-08-30 3 While attempting to sail out of the harbor Tuesday, ripped her mainsail from "gaff to boom," and returned to repair.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Scow Wanderer 1880-05-06 3 The mate of the small scow Wanderer fell into the drink while heaving on a line last Tuesday.
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Wanderer 1881-11-03 3 The schooner lost her deck load of slabs while coming across the lake from Manistee Monday night.
Door County Advocate Schooner Waneettee 1894-08-11 5 In for shelter
Door County Advocate Schooner Wanette 1887-09-24 3 On Peshtigo reef
Ahnapee (Algoma) Record Schooner Wannette 1892-06-16 3 The Lady Ellen was damaged considerably in a collision with the schooner Wannette off Sheboygan. Both vessels continued.
Door County Advocate Steamer War Banner 1917-10-25 1 Leaves for the coast
Door County Advocate War Hound 1917-10-25 1 New boat to be launched
Door County Advocate War Otter 1918-01-31 5 Launched
Door County Advocate War Victor 1917-10-25 1 Given a trial trip

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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.

© 2025 - Wisconsin Sea Grant, Wisconsin Historical Society