The iconic S.S. City of Milwaukee, a nearly century-old steam-powered railroad car ferry and National Historic Landmark, is set to be lifted out of the water later this year for critical preservation work, according to officials with the Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee, reports Marine Insight.
The project, estimated to cost approximately $1 million, will mark the first time the vessel has entered dry dock in around 45 years.
Built in 1931 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding in Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee is the last unmodified traditional Great Lakes railroad car ferry in existence, representing a significant chapter in the region’s maritime and transportation history. For decades, the ferry carried fully loaded freight trains, automobiles and passengers across Lake Michigan, supporting the industrial economies of Michigan and neighboring states before being retired from service in 1982.
Urgency of preservation
Much of the vessel’s steel hull remains below the waterline, making comprehensive inspection and essential repairs impossible while it remains afloat. Preservation experts note that while the ship is in comparatively good condition relative to other Great Lakes museum vessels, ensuring the long-term integrity of the underwater hull is critical to prevent deterioration.
The planned dry dock work at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, will include power washing and sandblasting the submerged hull, sealing sea chests and other underwater openings, removing propellers and sealing stern tubes. The hull will then be coated with two layers of marine-grade epoxy, which is expected to provide protection for at least 25 years.
Funding and Community support
The fundraising campaign aims to secure support from private donors, grants, operational revenues, and public contributions, with contingency funds included to account for potential cost overruns. The Society has emphasized that community participation and broad financial backing will be instrumental to the project’s success.
Once the dry dock maintenance is complete, the City of Milwaukee will return to Manistee, Michigan, where it serves as a museum ship and community landmark. The vessel draws thousands of visitors annually for historical tours, overnight stays and special events, including seasonal attractions.
Legacy and Significance
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990, the City of Milwaukee stands as a rare surviving example of a once-vital transportation link across America’s inland seas, embodying the engineering and cultural heritage of early 20th-century Great Lakes maritime operations.
Preservation advocates argue that securing the ship’s structural future is essential not only for historical conservation but also for sustaining local cultural tourism and education. As fundraising continues and dry dock preparations advance, the effort underscores the broader challenges faced by historic vessels in preserving their legacy for future generations.
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Source: Marine Insight
