Muskegon Maritime Historical Society

11/30/2025

Stay warm today! Our event was postponed.

The Milwaukee Clipper, Highway 16 (USS LST 393) and a Grand Trunk railroad ferry (possibly the SS City of Milwaukee) stuck in ice just outside of Muskegon - January 23, 1959 (Muskegon Chronical).

11/30/2025

After due consideration with regards to the road conditions, and forecasted snowfall continuing throughout the day, the FREE presentation on THE HENRY CORT DISASTER will be postponed for a future date in December or January. Stay tuned for updates!

We appreciate the continued support and look forward to bringing this heroic tale on the ship that built Muskegon... and foundered here. Thank you to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum and Muskegon Lighthouses for their continued partnership!

11/30/2025

The USS Silversides Submarine Museum is opening late, but will be open for our presentation of the Wreck of the Henry Cort!

11/25/2025

🚢 FREE PRESENTATION — ALL ARE WELCOME!
📅 Sunday, November 30, 2025 | ⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 USS Silversides Submarine Museum

We will be presenting on the "Jinx Ship", the SS Henry Cort, which still sits on the bottom, just outside of Muskegon's channel. This is a unique opportunity to explore local maritime history with us and our partners at the Silversides and Muskegon Lighthouses!

Discover:
• ⚓ A newspaper retraction that changed everything
• 🚨 A harrowing rescue in brutal winter conditions
• 🎖️ The loss that shook Muskegon’s Coast Guard community
• 🌊 Why the Cort remains one of Muskegon’s most compelling wrecks

After the Cort presentation, we’ll introduce the Muskegon Maritime Historical Society—our mission, our vision, and the future we’re building for Muskegon’s maritime research, preservation, and storytelling.

💬 We want YOU to be part of it.
Learn how to get involved, shape upcoming projects, and help guide new research into Muskegon’s rich maritime past.

11/22/2025

CARL D. BRADLEY – The Funerals, November 22, 1958

Requiem for a Small Town:

We often view historic events in terms of dates, major actions, and the impact to other major events. But to those of us in coastal towns along the lakes with deep roots to the maritime community, it’s a much more personal experience.

Four days ago, families woke up to the understanding that dozens of husbands and fathers were hours away from putting the Carl D. Bradley in winter layup and heading home. Later that day, through informal channels of social networks and gossip, they learned that the Bradley went down and those loved ones were in the water fighting for their lives. Three days ago… two survivors were found, and bodies. Two days ago… an empty lifeboat. Yesterday… the search was called off. Today… 23 wives and 53 children say goodbye to their husbands and fathers.

A Town Laments:

Saturday, November 22, 1958. In a town of 4,000 people, nobody made is making it through the day without knowing someone who is being buried or memorialized at the mass funerals for the sailors of the Carl D. Bradley.

The Detroit Free Press lamented:
“…the entire town turned into a funeral procession. Eleven flag-draped and flower-strewn caskets were readied for transfer to the church for the Requiem High Mass. Two dozen Knights of Columbus in full dress uniform held aloft an arch of crossed swords as 60 pall bearers carried the biers in a 45-minute procession into the church.”

Bow your head, for the men long forgotten
Who died, on a cold November night.

The Men Long Forgotten:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKcsF_XDDE&t=166s

11/21/2025

CARL D. BRADLEY – The Search, November 21, 1958

5:16 AM - Sundew and Hollyhock enroute to search area.

8:20 AM - Helicopter and sea plane left for search area. Helicopter ordered to stand by on Beaver Island to investigate findings of surface craft.

9:21 PM - Beaver Island and Charlevoix patrol boats on the scene.

12:11 PM - All search efforts negative.

4:24 PM - All surface units ordered to discontinue search at the completion of daylight operations. Coast Guard planes from Traverse City continued daily air searches of the area.

11/20/2025

CARL D. BRADLEY – The Search, November 20, 1958

4:03 AM - Sundew and Hollyhock left Charlevoix for search area.

7:24 AM - Coast Guard plane left Traverse City to resume search.

9:30 AM - Coast Guard helicopter left Traverse City with personnel for ground searches of nearby islands. Ground search on Gull Island discovered one life jacket and a considerable amount of debris on the southwest shore. Several life jackets were discovered on southwest shore of High Island. Capsized lifeboat recovered in waters off south end of High Island. Whiskey Island search negative except for some debris in the water. Swan Island, negative. Garden Island, negative.

6:23 PM - Aircraft returned to Traverse City air station.

6:27 PM - Surface craft returned to Charlevoix. Search to resume at first light on November 21.

11/19/2025

SAVE OUR LIGHT - $800K or it Goes Away!

The Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse, a symbol of our shoreline since 1931, is now in critical need of restoration. Thanks to an $800,000 state grant, Phase 1 began on September 16th; however, the remaining $800,000 must be raised through community support to complete Phase 2 by spring 2026, as per the Muskegon Lighthouse Conservancy.

This lighthouse belongs to all of us. Without additional funds, it could be permanently lost. We're inviting neighborhood associations, local groups, and individuals to get involved. From small fundraisers to sponsorships, every contribution makes a difference. Donors will be recognized near the lighthouse as part of a permanent tribute at Pere Marquette Beach.

How You Can Help:

• Host a neighborhood fundraiser.
• Spread the word on social media.
• Distribute flyers or share info in your business or library.
• Make a tax-deductible donation. Let's come together to Save Our Light - for the next 100 years of sunsets, shoreline walks, and
Muskegon pride.
Learn more or donate: www.muskegonlights.org

https://youtu.be/ISsVDceFVsg. This is a YouTube video from our authorized channel. A great watch!

Thanks, Kim - Muskegon Lighthouses

For nearly a century, the Muskegon South Breakwater Lighthouse has stood as a symbol of Michigan’s maritime heritage - guiding ships, weathering storms, and ...

11/19/2025

CARL D. BRADLEY – The Search, November 19, 1958

2:30 AM - Coast Guard Cutter Holly hock joined the search. 7:50 A.M. Three Coast Guard helicopters left Traverse City for the search area. A Grumman Albatross left Selfridge Air Force Base to join the land, sea and air search. A Navy PV2 was enroute from Glenview Naval Air Station to join the search.

8:23 AM - Coast Guard cutters Sundew and Hollyhock reported winds at 30 mph, diminishing seas, water temperature of 50 degrees.

8:55 AM - First confirmed report of survivors. Sundew reported picking up two survivors on a raft between High and Gull Islands. Survivors identified as First Mate Elmer Fleming and Deckwatchman, Frank Mays.

9:20 AM - Aircraft spotted capsized lifeboat two miles from liferaft. Sundew was proceeding to pick up lifeboat when it received word that bodies were sighted near Gull Island.

9:55 AM - Ground parties were dispatched to search Beaver and High Islands.

10:11 AM - Coast Guard helicopter sighted the bodies of three victims, 14-mile north of Gull Island.

10:29 AM - Forty-footpatrol boats from Beaver Island and Charlevoix were dispatched to assist the Sundew in recovering the bodies of victims in shallow water. Sundew picked up three unidentified bodies.

12:25 PM - Sundew and Hollyhock launched small boats to recover bodies. Sundew recovered two more bodies.

1:56 PM - Sundew enroute to Charlevoix with survivors.

2:26 PM - German motor vessel Transontario picked up the body of one victim, one mile west of High Island.

4:45 PM - Count of victims recovered this far: eight aboard the Sundew; four aboard the Beaver Island patrol boat; five aboard the Hollyhock; one aboard the Transontario...a total of 18 victims in addition to the two survivors.

5:19 PM - Aircraft left disaster area; search to resume at first light on November 20.