Uncovering Bay View's Hidden Maritime Legacy: 71 Lake Captains, 195 Ships, and a Remarkable "Rags-to-Riches" Tale
Photo is not of Bay View-used only to capture the spirit of the time. Dinner aboard the steamship Lansing
Photo courtesy the Great Lakes Historical Society, Alpena County, George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection.
Discover Bay View, Wisconsin's Untold Maritime History
Bay View, Wisconsin, boasts a maritime history that has remained in the shadows for far too long. This website, in collaboration with its companion YouTube Channel and a comprehensive 650-page book, "Bay View: Town of Lake CAPTAINS!" aims to illuminate the rich maritime heritage of Bay View while fostering maritime projects and activities within the community. Additionally, a second book chronicles the compelling story of Bay View's sole female ship owner, her lake captain husband, and her brother, a remarkable "rags-to-riches" figure. Both books are meticulously researched, featuring 60 pages of single-spaced sources in 9-point font.
John Brotch, Bay View’s most prolific schooner captain
Photo courtesy the Draves Family Collection.
Through groundbreaking research methods, we've uncovered the identities of 71 Bay View lake captains, most of whom were previously unknown. During their time in Bay View, these captains commanded an astonishing 195 different ships while residing in 117 distinct Bay View homes. We are excited to share their stories and contributions here on this website, our YouTube Channel, and in our books, providing Bay Viewers with a glimpse into their history for the very first time.
Take a glimpse into the map below to discover the locations of the captains' homes, and join us in celebrating Bay View's maritime legacy like never before.
Background map courtesy the Wisconsin Historical Society, image#12025.
More Bay View Maritime Items Of Interest
Image credits for left photo: Picryl.com; Public Domain; for center photo: Photo courtesy Sharon Zache Calder; for right photo: Draves Family Collection.
Preserving Bay View's Rich Maritime Legacy – Your Support Matters!
Help us uncover and preserve Bay View's maritime heritage. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on our efforts. Together, we can celebrate the captivating history of Bay View.
Contributions are not tax deductible as we are not a 501c(3) charity.