• Wednesday-What'sUP May 27 - 06:28 pm

It looks like Robert C. Wetton was in the right place at the right time, when this 224 foot boat happened to be in town. RCW spotted the State of Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime Academy training vessel docked in Houghton, then was on hand when it left the dock, made an about face and passed under the Portage Lift Bridge heading out on a training mission. Cadets spend time on this former Navy submarine surveillance ship, putting into practical use what they have learned in the classroom. Sailing the Great Lakes on the State of Michigan gives the cadets an introduction to life aboard a ship in preparation for a maritime career. Home port is Traverse City and when there, the ship is also used as a daily lab for deck and engineering cadets. It's nice to see that when a vessel like this is no longer suitable for its original use, it can be utilized in some other way, rather than just being scrapped.

Cool pics of a cool ship, snapped on a very nice looking day.

Yes it did look like a beautiful day to boatwatch or be riding a motorcycle taking in the sights!

What a site! How, I long to be in the great UP.

You can find more information about the ship at
http://www.nmc.edu/maritime/vessels/state-of-michigan

I love that Robert got the flag pole and American flag in the third photo. That is a great composition. I'm from south of Traverse City so I've seen this boat docked at the Maritime Academy often. It's nice to see it being used in a different place. Thanks for posting these photos today Mary.

Here is a webcam of the homeport.

http://www.nmc.edu/maritime/webcam/

The year I received my associate's degree from
Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse
City, was the first year of the new course Maritime Acadamy. During our annual BBQ that year we had the open house at the dock and all took turns showing off the new program. I made this picture my screen saver. Lots of good memories from NMC.

Kris Goetze (Krismtu81):
"I love that Robert got the flag pole and American flag in the third photo."
Yes indeedy!
However, Ol' Glory is looking a bit raggedy.
Time for a replacement?

Ya know when you see the Big or Little Picture for the day, & right away you know who took it? I am that way with this Guy! Thank's for some sight's from back home cuz RCW,I really miss those C.B. friend's all over up there. Is the Lift Bridge equiped with RUG-8 coax so we can talk to a Coffee maker when in area or use chanel 9..? Not all Cell Phones work UP there

Boy, I don't think there's any CBer's left up here Dave!!

I love the Houghton area and visit as much as I can from my home in Rochester, Mi. My great grandparents lived in Houghton in the 1880s, I graduated from Tech and have many relatives residing at the Forest Hill Cemetary rest their souls. I have become very interested in the history of the Houghton area as I have purchased many books and am now a lifetime member of the Houghton Historical Society. I just completed reading a very great book - Copper Country Journal by Phillip Mason. This book is a must read for anyone interested in Copper Country history. It is a diary of the schoolmaster Henry Hobart from 1863-1864 and a great book of his experiences in the mining town of Clifton or "Cliff" just north of Calumet where the Cliff mine was located.

I would like to know if anyone knows of the location of the schoolhouse where Hobart taught and also the location of the two churches Hobart mentions in his diary. This would give me a better prospective of where the village was situated. Just maybe on my next visit, I could meet with that person for some directions. I would appreciate any response.

Any response to my former posting - I can be reached at rusticterry@comcast.net

Thanks 4 sharing these fine photos. NMC is my Alma Mater.