Upcoming Michigan Maritime Museum Lecture

"SS Milwaukee Clipper: A Great Lakes Journey into its Second Century"

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Join SS Milwaukee Clipper Museum Curator, Ray Hilt and the Michigan Maritime Museum for a fascinating presentation on the SS Milwaukee Clipper Wednesday, March 13th from 6:30pm-7:30pm.  In 1904 the Erie & Western Transportation Company, better known as the Anchor Line, commissioned the American Shipbuilding Company of Cleveland, Ohio, to build a 361-foot passenger and package freight steamer for service on the Great Lakes. Carrying 350 passengers in staterooms, Juniata was the epitome of first-class travel and sailed between Buffalo, New York, and Duluth, Minnesota. After major remodeling efforts in 1940, her name was changed to SS Milwaukee Clipper. In June of 1941, she made her maiden voyage to Muskegon. Now complete with an all steel, streamlined, superstructure, the new ship featured air-conditioned staterooms, a children’s playroom, a movie theatre, live entertainment, and a dance floor. From 1941 until 1970, the Milwaukee Clipper carried untold thousands of passengers and automobiles between Muskegon and Milwaukee. In 1983 she was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and by 1989 she was designated a National Historic Landmark. From her permanent home in Muskegon, she is open to the public for tours and lovingly cared for and restored by Milwaukee Clipper Preservation, Inc.

Ray Hilt has been involved with the Milwaukee Clipper since shortly after her arrival back to Muskegon in 1997. He has served on the board there as president, secretary, and now Museum Curator. A long-time collector of Great Lakes passenger ship items, Hilt has a real passion for his work as a volunteer for the Clipper. Hilt says, “My wife refers to the Clipper as my Iron Mistress.” Hilt is a retired dentist from Muskegon whose interest in history knows no bounds. He is a member of numerous organizations, such as the Antique Outboard Club, Antique Boat Owners Club, Model T Ford Club, Two Model A Ford organizations, Gilmore Antique Car Museum, H.H. Franklin Car Club, Antique Car Club of America, and the Great Lakes Cruising Club to just name a few.

“The dedication to history and to this historic vessel by Ray and the rest of the Milwaukee Clipper Preservation group is a testament to what we can do together to preserve maritime history and share it with everyone,” says Ashley Deming, Director of Education for the Michigan Maritime Museum. “The Clipper displays most of our boat model collection in addition to other maritime displays and exhibits. When we collaborate, more history is shared and we’re all better for it.” This presentation will feature information and images regarding the Clipper’s origins as the SS Juniata, the conversion to the Clipper, the Clipper years, as well as ongoing restoration and exhibit efforts by Milwaukee Clipper Preservation, Inc.  In addition to never before seen images in the presentation, there will be a display of Clipper artifacts from the Michigan Maritime Museum collection.

The lecture will take place in the Museum’s Lake Michigan’s Call to Duty exhibit from 6:30pm-7:30pm on March 13th. Admission is $8, $7 for seniors.  There is no admission fee for Museum members. The Museum will be open beginning at noon the day of the lecture and 10am-5pm Fridays and Saturdays the month of March. For more information, contact the Museum at 269-637-8078 ext. 3 or visit www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/events/.