US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw Finds a Home

An old friend has come to live in Mackinaw City. An iconic fixture on the straits for over 60 years, the USCG Cutter Mackinaw has been decommissioned and will live out its days as a historical museum, permanently moored at the Railroad Dock in Mackinaw City.

The Mackinaw was built and commissioned in 1943 to help maintain the flow of iron ore throughout the winter months and proved essential to the World War II military campaign.

Captain McGuiness remarks, “Some folks think she won the war for us.”

She has served the Great Lakes nobly ever since.

Mackinac Island ferry owner Bill Shepler stepped forward to spearhead an effort to purchase the USCGC Mackinaw and convert it to a floating historical museum. Shepler, along with seven other prominent Mackinaw area supporters created the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum committee to oversee its management. Bill Shepler also provided mooring space at his historic Chief Wawatam Railroad Dock in Mackinaw City.

On June 21, 2006 the Cutter Mackinaw made its final voyage taking about 5 hours to complete the trip from her home port in Cheboygan, Michigan. Upon arrival in Mackinaw City, her 600+ passengers were greeted by a large crowd and brass band.

The USCG Cutter Mackinaw isn’t going anywhere. As the newly minted Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, she’ll stay right here where she can tell her own story in fascinating detail for generations to come.