• Sunday-What'sUP January 27 - 08:46 pm

Back when this boat was only a teenager, it was spotted in the Straits smashing its way through the frozen passage. These pictures - courtesy of the UP Digitization Center were taken very shortly after the Bridge was completed, and only 14 years after the Cutter Mackinac - also known as the Icebreaker Mackinaw - had been launched.

If we zoom in a little closer to the deck, you can see a helicopter on board.

Photos courtesy of TheMackinaw.org

good morning

I am not a marine expert, but I think that this " Cutter" looks to be more capable than her replacement. She does not have the operations technology but she is beautiful.

You're right, Allen, about the up-to-date operations technology, but if memory serves me correctly, the "new" Mackinaw has already had problems with some of that "new" technology that this beautiful ship didn't have to deal with. Sometimes "progress" isn't always better. About this "old" Mackinaw, it broke my heart when they painted her red! Much more majestic in white!

Is the Mackinaw back to its original "all white" color scheme or is it still wearing its orange "clown suit"?

Took a tour of the mighty Mac in Mackinac City last summer. It's quite a ship.

When I saw the top picture, I thought Neil Harri was using the black and white option on his digital camera to create a vintage effect.

There is a photo of the Mac on page 21 of my gallery. I took it ramming the ice off Eagle Harbor in 1995. I shot it with color film.