USCGC Mackinaw - WAGB 83

The United States Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WAGB 83) was commissioned in 1944. At the time of her commissioning she was the most powerful icebreaker in the world (I think she was replaced by a Soviet ship for that....but I don't remember her name). She was 290 feet long and 74.3 feet wide and because of this, she had a pretty shallow draft. At the time she was built, she could not go through the Soo Locks (until they were expanded in 1959). She was designed exclusively for the Great Lakes and served until 2006. She is now a museum.

This is the view of the ship as you come up to her. This picture doesn't quite do her justice, as she is pretty big.

This is as you are heading up towards the pilot house.

This is the officers mess.

This is one of her diesel engines. She used diesel electric power, so that the diesels could be better placed.

This is the enlisted mess.

Looking at the Mackinac Bridge from the pilot house.

Looking up at the mast.

Another shot.

A shot from the other side. She is pretty well maintained and was in pretty good shape. Even though she is now berthed in Mackinaw City, she spent her life in Cheboygan.