U.S.S. Michigan - renamed "Wolverine"
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 5:05 pm
Yesterday on the way home we stopped at Erie, Pa., to see the Erie Maritime Museum.
Awesome displays and videos! - In addition to a docked sailing replica of Perry's ship, the U.S.S. Niagara, the museum now houses the surviving parts of the U.S.S. Michigan.
This Great Lakes gunboat had an 80 year career, (1843-1923). The "Michigan" was the first iron-hulled ship in the U.S.N.
It was 'pre-fabricated' in Pittsburgh, moved in parts by water-ways to Erie, Pa., and reassembled at Erie.
The Michigan was renamed the U.S.S. Wolverine in 1905, to 'free-up' the name for a Battleship.
The Michigan was propelled by 'side-wheels'. Although obsolete, it was used for eleven years as a Pennsylvania Naval Militia training vessel.
In 1923 while cruising near Mackinac, the port engine connecting-rod broke from metal fatigue and the Wolverine 'limped' back to its home port at Erie, Pa.
The Navy refused the funds required to repair the vessel.
President Roosevelt saw the symbolic value of the vessel, during WW2, which avoided its wartime destruction for scrap metal.
Local efforts to raise funds to preserve the Michigan fell short and in 1949, it was scrapped. The salvage company owner saved some parts for posterity.
Awesome displays and videos! - In addition to a docked sailing replica of Perry's ship, the U.S.S. Niagara, the museum now houses the surviving parts of the U.S.S. Michigan.
This Great Lakes gunboat had an 80 year career, (1843-1923). The "Michigan" was the first iron-hulled ship in the U.S.N.
It was 'pre-fabricated' in Pittsburgh, moved in parts by water-ways to Erie, Pa., and reassembled at Erie.
The Michigan was renamed the U.S.S. Wolverine in 1905, to 'free-up' the name for a Battleship.
The Michigan was propelled by 'side-wheels'. Although obsolete, it was used for eleven years as a Pennsylvania Naval Militia training vessel.
In 1923 while cruising near Mackinac, the port engine connecting-rod broke from metal fatigue and the Wolverine 'limped' back to its home port at Erie, Pa.
The Navy refused the funds required to repair the vessel.
President Roosevelt saw the symbolic value of the vessel, during WW2, which avoided its wartime destruction for scrap metal.
Local efforts to raise funds to preserve the Michigan fell short and in 1949, it was scrapped. The salvage company owner saved some parts for posterity.