SS Milwaukee Clipper - Queen of the Great Lakes

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In late Spring, 2023, I was invited to visit the Milwaukee Clipper at her current berth in Muskegon, Michigan. It’s been over 80 years since she became the Milwaukee Clipper and almost 120 years since her first construction as the Juniata. She’s clearly worn out and tired, but the first impression is that she’s well loved.
In this video, we’re going to dive into the history of the oldest surviving Great Lakes passenger vessel, learn about the long and illustrious career it had under two completely different identities, and take a detailed tour of the museum ship today. We’ll be climbing deep into the lowest parts of the historic vessel, and seeing the hard work going into keeping one of the most important pieces of Great Lakes history afloat after 120 years.

[@pugsymalone6539]

As a very young man, I handled lines for Milwaukee Clipper when she arrived in Chicago, in 1980ish. I also worked aboard Silversides and McLane, all of which now reside in Muskegon. I'm glad there are still people caring for these vessels.

[@deeacosta2734]

My grandpapi pimped so many hoes on the Clipper.

[@carsonwilkins2971]

That's super cool! I'm with you. I'm glad people still care for these things. I wish my generation took more interest in stuff like this. Sometimes I wish a grew up in a time before technology, but unfortunately, that isn't the case. The next best thing for me is just learning about the history of stuff like this, which is why I love this channel.

[@josephrasberry3850]

Sweet dude that’s a cool job

[@pugsymalone6539]

@carsonwilkins2971 I understand. I was fortunate to find the Chicago waterfront and all the WWII vets, and be a part of caring for these historic vessels. I went on to become a lifelong sailor, both naval and merchant. Retired now. You can still contribute to these vessels in a very important way. The submarines Silversides in Muskegon and Cobia in Manitowoc are both in need of drydocking. Consider making a donation specifically for the drydocking. This will keep these vessels around for decades more. Search youtube for contact information if you are interested. I have a soft spot for the subs; I volunteered aboard Silversides from 1976 to 1981, then joined the navy and served in nuke subs. I miss it every day. Cheers.

[@dirkhartman9572]

adam the first human on earth sinned against GOD, and because of that humans are cursed with death spiritually, and eventually your body, but GOD send HIS SON JESUS CHRIST trough wich we can get saved from everlasting dearh=hell and gain everlasting life trough faith in JESUS CHRIST

[@ShadowDragon8685]

For being a hundred and twenty years old (in part), the Milwaukee Clipper looks... "In good condition" is an understatement; frankly she _looks_ like with a fairly modest sum of money, as massive vessels go, she could _actually_ make steam again and set sail under her own power.

[@Kaidhicksii]

My thinking exactly. Like, realistically, it would take a lot of work especially considering her antiquated engines which probably don't work anymore, but heck and darn: she just looks like with enough effort put in that she could sail the lakes once again.

[@craigmaue1371]

Who are Kaiser Whilhelm and Kaiser Frederick.? Is there a valid "pretender to the throne" I Of the German Empire?? Please elucidate this situation .

[@Redemptive_Neerdowell]

An old soul with life still left to live, I say. What a fantastic ship!

[@harrietharlow9929]

@@Kaidhicksii I wouldn't sell those old engines short. It would take some reconditioning but I'm betting they still have some lfe of them. When I sailed on her in the 1960s, they had no problems and sounded sweet to me.

[@Orangethemartian]

so does the SS Spartan

[@Pyrinsomniac]

It's so heartening to see young volunteers, and ones who are so dedicated to the Clipper. God bless them.

[@briancisco1176]

Discovering old photos and films is surely difficult, but they add so much to your stories. Thanks for your hard work!

[@dirkhartman9572]

adam the first human on earth sinned against GOD, and because of that humans are cursed with death spiritually, and eventually your body, but GOD send HIS SON JESUS CHRIST trough wich we can get saved from everlasting dearh=hell and gain everlasting life trough faith in JESUS CHRIST

[@giggiddy]

​@@dirkhartman9572 If you arbitrarily post that again. There's a good chance I will sin against you. Please stop

[@miapdx503]

​@@dirkhartman9572Sir, I love the Lord but this is just inappropriate. We don't draw people close with posts like this. You run them off. Let's be respectful of the poster and stay on topic, k? Have a lovely day 🌹⚓

[@charlottereed8060]

Tom, Your little guy is so adorable!!!

[@Bloodwhiner]

I sailed the clipper as a child in her waning days of the late sixties. I still recall standing at the steering wheel in the children's playroom. It was a wet and windy trip, I learned to stay upwind of anyone who was seasick - a true life lesson.

[@Emerald4673]

Just north of Muskegon in Ludington MI there is a carferry named the SS Badger that also has a very interesting history she is the Last Coal burner on the Lakes too!

[@gacoulier]

Used to run Semi trailers across to manitowoc on the Badger. Technically, it is a connector of U.S. 10.

[@Emerald4673]

@@gacoulier very neat!

[@logsdonclayton7771]

I live in Ludington and I love sitting and watching the badger come in

[@wonderfrog25]

Hey I see SS Badger Coming into port on the other side of the lake

[@scj6693]

i’ve been a loyal fan for coming on a year now. i’m extremely impressed w/ your content and want to see it continue. you’re one of my favorite creators!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you so much!

[@nancyweliczko9334]

I remember going on the Clipper when she was in Hammond Indiana and remember when they towed her out of Hammond, I am happy they are restoring her again. Thank You for showing her again ❤️

[@Me-zo8yc]

Thanks, I've watched quite a lot of your vids now and they are great. The production is great, I like your style, don't change anything!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you!

[@guodzillakaiju5683]

The "Milwaukee Clipper" is not only one of the last Great Lakes passenger liners, she's also one of the last remaining ships that survived the White Hurricane of 1913.

[@koiyujo1543]

what happened of the white hurricane?

[@alexandersinclair9006]

​@@koiyujo1543blizzard with hurricane strength winds. It happened several times on the Great Lakes but they don't officially call them hurricanes.

[@miapdx503]

Yes, that was a catastrophic storm, one that killed men and sank mighty ships. I've seen several videos about it, and it stuns me every time. It unfolded like a horror movie...

[@sirboomsalot4902]

Also referred to as the Gale of 1913, correct?

[@guodzillakaiju5683]

@@sirboomsalot4902 Exactly.

[@Sertodet]

57:50 "Ah! That's MY pen!" I loved the tour guides interjections throughout the video - both entertaining, and informative! This was a relaxing and fun watch, and it was very cool of the tour guide to let you climb the ladders and go into the submerged section. I like how they deliberately don't clean the soot, to preserve the old messages that people have written. Also, sick air-band performance.

[@Me-zo8yc]

Yes I enjoyed the tour guide(s) too, a great addition to the vid.

[@jillblack4475]

I had no idea I’d be crying over a ship returning home 😭😭 and esp with cpt Bob being there. So much love to all the volunteers who worked to preserve The Clipper 🫶 your work will be forever important Edit : 4,000 volunteer hours in 2023 LETS GOOOO🎉🎉🎉

[@bobdolesrevenge]

With so many of the ships covered on this channel being rotting hulks or gone completely, it's lovely to see a piece of history like the Clipper receiving so much care!

[@banana_junior_9000]

The historic footage of Milwaukee is amazing and has Queen of the Great Lakes one hell of a story.

[@philiprufus4427]

Really enjoyed that,your history of leasure ships is not unlike ours on the Clyde. There is a long history of The US Navy here too. I have even met older men than myself who remember US troops throwing sweets to the kids from train lines that are now cycle tracks during war 11. Some years ago admittedly. Lovely ship, Good Luck in Saving Her. A West Coast Brit !

[@johnd7304]

Thanks for the video tour! Back in college when she was docked in Chicago, I attended a party on her. For a class project, I wrote a paper on her and her history. No idea where that paper is, but this was just wonderful to see. Thank you!

[@greggrauscher34]

A very informative and in-depth look at the Milwaukee Clipper both throughout her history and today. Nice to see the volunteers hard at work to maintain her. I will be donating. Thanks for making the video!

[@hughbrown496]

Not sure if you've used that intro before but WOW. Whoever made that did a great job.

[@marsco25177]

I was thinking the same thing

[@chrismaccool9097]

Oh I just love taking a stroll through history like this.

[@InlandSeas]

My great great great grandfather was the captain of the Aquarama in her first year. His name was Robert F Leng, and previous to that he'd been retired since 1954 ( His last year notable as he was a part of a rescue, of the Henry Steinbrenner).

[@joliettraveler]

I remember this as a young boy living in Muskegon. My grandmother would travel on it to live with us for half the year, and the other half in Milwaukee.

[@chillzedd8179]

The most remarkable thing to me is the amount of original artifacts still inside the ship like machinery, appliances and of course the gorgeous art deco furniture. Theres lots of great museum ships out there but this one really is spectacular!

[@texasstardust6010]

This is such an AMAZING Ship... oh my goodness.. ... So much History ....wonderful Video giving this Ship the exposure she deserves and needs, and lets keep her going.

[@paveloleynikov4715]

How you manage to make us to feel nostalgic for places and ships that has no connection to us prior of your videos???

[@Riddler7676]

With the care, thought, time, and work that you put in to these videos, you should be a FULL time explorer!!! Thank you for another gem for us to enjoy!!!

[@staceyrenner5418]

What an absolutely beautiful old lady. Art Deco is a style that I've always thought deserves a resurgence.

[@miapdx503]

Yes, the thirties, forties and fifties were classy and stylish times! I love the way people dressed. As a woman, those suits with the gloves and hats were gorgeous. Then everything got ugly...even architecture. We tore down amazing structures and replaced them with the ugliest buildings...maybe I was born in the wrong time. 😕

[@fhwolthuis]

Excellent documentary, Tom! She is a very beautiful ship. Nice to see that the youngsters are so dedicated to keeping the history alive ❤

[@baritonebynight]

It's great that there are both young and older people volunteering to not only keep this boat alive but perhaps someday bring it new life. Having met Barret on a transatlantic crossing on QM2....this boat is in very good hands...he is wise beyond his years.

[@IrishObyrne]

Yay! New Video

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

A story of love. That volunteer group certainly has its priorities clear and carry out an excellent job with what little they have. Wish the authorities provided funding to help them out in keeping this beauty in shape. Side note: Man, give George Sharp a hulk and he'll come back to you with a work of art. The man managed to unify a turn of the century steamer and a military cargo ship into streamlined beauties. He sure was dreaming of NS Savannah. Great documentary, Tom & Emma.

[@this_isnt_patrick]

I love passing by the Clipper every time I go fishing. I just love the history of it.

[@natureman494]

I was never really impressed by the Milwaukee Clipper visually but she's grown on me and now that I know her story I've fallen in love with her.

[@jbstandsforjasonborne3847]

Glad to see some of these little known vessels being covered, hard not to learn something when watching a part time explorer video.

[@Gilbert_The_Magnificent]

Never knew about this majestic ship! Thanks for sharing this vessel’s incredible 119 year journey!

[@douglasduncan9519]

When I was six in 1957, I rode with my family on the Clipper from Milwaukee to Muskegon. I enjoyed your presentation very much.

[@sookieb_88]

It’s only 3:30am here in Australia, but I was SO glad to see a new 1 hour video to watch over my coffee and breakfast! ❤ your videos especially are the most soothing way for me to start the day. Always fantastic work!

[@swallowsjeremyy]

If you haven't already found the channel Oceanliner Designs, you should definitely check it out! Both of these guys are a huge wealth of knowledge. OD is a fellow Aussie. Greetings from Florida!

[@sookieb_88]

@@swallowsjeremyy ​​⁠ ​​⁠ hey, thanks for the recommendation! I’m kind of astonished my algorithm hadn’t already recommended Oceanliner Designs, but after your comment I looked the channel up and have been heavily bingeing content there since 😂 I owe you one! There’s not many prolific Aussie KZbinrs on the platform who’ve managed to have the algorithms work in their favour, and Mike the host gives me some Aussie pride AS WELL as great content haha. So thank you from Down Under, salutations to you in Florida!

[@miapdx503]

​@@swallowsjeremyyAnd Big Old Boats, another excellent channel.

[@Tachometrically]

Tom, your work is exquisite. The people. The story. The history. The ships! Bravo sir, Bravo!

[@berfygerfy]

amazing!

[@NPNP-qf5gn]

Great video!!! I was so happy to see LST-393 get a name drop, Ive taken part in a lot reenactments hosted by 393 and have always seen the Clipper nearby, hearing this history of this is so F’ing cool!

[@poc329]

Beautiful ship. And a story Beautifuly told.

[@sarahcartier3393]

I love the fact that volunteers are restoring and have a clear vision to bring the ship back to life. I love the idea of a ship museum and I hope they find the missing bell to add to the authenticity of the vessel. Thank you once again for another interesting and informative video.

[@jessicawells3379]

What an amazing episode! You can tell they are very dedicated! I hope to someday visit this ship!

[@mktj1]

Yet another fantastic documentary. Great work!!!

[@connern5791]

Always nice to see some Great Lakes content from you Tom

[@Brimstone667]

great video as always my friend, so glad to see a younger generation also helpin with the ships as well

[@RHJ3]

Fascinating history of the Juniata - Milwaukee Clipper. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I had no Idea this lovely lady of the 20th Century was still around and floating, let alone a museum, wow! On a side note if you do a documentary on the Aquarama (and I vote you do) I have some still images from @ 1996 with her moored in Buffalo NY. I'd be glad to send them to you, let me know. You and your team do an excellent job, keep the documentaries coming!

[@mattgutierrez7651]

You should check out the SS City of Milwaukee some time. Ferried rail cars, and served as a replacement for the SS Milwaukee (whose sinking would make a great video itself). She's moored in Manistee, MI, and when I visited the tour guides proved EXTREMELY knowledgeable. Cheers!

[@tvos68]

As a West Michigan native with family ties to Muskegon, I had to smile throughout this entire video.

[@doobat708]

Great work from these volunteers, thank you for spotlighting them, and the history of this ship!

[@lexiheart6558]

That's so cool. I'm in Virginia but I'd love to volunteer to help restore her. I'm glad to see younger people so enthusiastic about her too

[@ElicBehexan]

I enjoy watching your videos. I still remember when I was a child on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. I was a terribly shy child, but my sister had never seem to meet a stranger. We, my sister about 3, and I, four years older, had met a nice old lady at the point where the boardwalk stopped and there were benches. This lady told us about a terrible 'shipwreck' and how while people went out in private boats to try and rescue people, there were still bodies that washed up on the beach. One lady in particular she said still clutched her purse full of jewelry and coins. I later learned that this was the Marro Castle. On a lighter note, my father's mother and step-father ran various small cafes in Atlantic City. One of their most popular, and biggest money maker was spaghetti.

[@mentaldavethefirst]

This has been on my to watch later list for a while now and at one point it was over 60 videos long. This has lingered as it was one of the longer videos on that list. Pleased I finally found the time to cross it off the list. Great to see the ship getting such lvoe by a dedicated team

[@OutsideGalaxy]

As somebody from Southeast US, I know very little about the Great lakes and shipping in general. So your channel is really a delight! What a beautiful old ship

[@vikasmayekar13]

Very young crew working on the restoration... Hope they find the love and romance of old naval days... Kudos

[@roselightinstorms727]

Amazing🎉

[@Gabe-kv2zs]

I've got a few photos of my late Grandmother and her friends aboard the ship in the early 1940s. Awesome video...glad to learn the Clipper's history.

[@jesterr7133]

It's a beautiful ship, and I am glad she is being preserved for future generations. Thank you for helping them out.

[@OceanChannelProductions]

Very interesting story, looks quite well taken care of for a 120 year old ship

[@haydenmcdaniels6284]

46:08 "WOW I CAN SEE MY HOUSE FROM UP HERE!" for real though i can see my house

[@mooseshock2563]

Fantastic, loved every word and picture, thankyou

[@simonhjc]

What a fantastic story, and great to see the volunteers of a variety of ages! Well done to all

[@roberthennel]

Beautiful ship, lovely crew of volunteers, great to see the next generation being enthusiastic👍

[@dreamjayme11]

Really, an excellent video. so glad you got to see all of this and then share it with us! 🎉

[@janellecooper9283]

You talk about history and I love it thank you for doing all this!

[@jetsons101]

If I only lived in Muskegon, I would jump at the chance to be a volunteer aboard the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper........ Great watch, so enjoyable. Thanks for your time, work and posting.

[@carycary5824]

My family took the Clipper from Muskegon to Milwaukee years ago. Loved it!!!

[@jwoody8815]

It looks in amazingly great shape like it could just fire up and start doing service again with little issue. Interestingly because of the all-steel reconstruction she still looks fairly modern, does not look all too out of place even compared to modern vessels

[@jetsons101]

Great watch, lots of information. Speaking of the bathroom colors, I have read that it was Mattel Toys and the Barbie doll that made pink a female color.

[@katiesmith2447]

At the 12:23 mark, listeners can actually hear a piece of your soul crying.

[@GloriousSEAGRUB]

Amazing video!

[@44WillysMB]

I watch a lot of historical videos, and this one is top notch. I have shared it on all my social media.

[@bettylouhinrichs1883]

Loved this video! I had no idea about this ship! Great information! Thank you!

[@kalif404]

Thank you very much for sharing this amazing story. You are such an amazing story teller. God Bless You and Your family.

[@rob1978]

Thank you for this video. I grew up in Muskegon and travelled on the Clipper several times but was not aware of her entire journey. I was on the harbor breakwall in December 1997 when she was towed back home. I think I am the man in the red jacket shown in the brief clip. Love ALL your videos especially the account of the Eastland. Again, much new information. The recreations are genius!

[@gacoulier]

Greetings from Muskegon, MI. Years ago, i worked for a sand mine which was owned by the same company that owns the Mart Dock here in Muskegon. I met a 90 some year old Mr McKee who was retired and was still integral in the day to day work. It turns out he was a grandson of the 2 brothers. They still freight sand to make glass for the automotive industry although our sand mines have been closed for decades. They have a huge mine up in Brevort, MI in the upper peninsula.

[@darthdevious]

Man, I was in Muskegon for a few days in early August. We had brought a group of scouts to spend the night aboard the USS Silversides. I saw the Clipper as we drove over to the Silversides museum. I am kicking myself for not having enogh time to go check her out.

[@Dan_Gyros]

What a beautiful ship! I'm glad they're preserving her!

[@21EpicFail]

You're documentaries are so good man. You give me a joy of knowledge on topics I would have never taken interest in if it weren't for you! Thank you!

[@GentleBen85]

You can really see the time put into these videos. Just keep getting better and better.

[@ZGryphon]

It always feels so weird to encounter something you know from everyday life in an unrelated context. The bathroom in my house had a sink almost identical to the ones shown at 21:56 when I first moved in, right down to those stub-your-toe-in-the-morning legs. I wouldn't have expected to see another like it anywhere, particularly in a video about a preserved passenger steamship. :)

[@jawharp1992]

No shit! I didn't know you were in town. I LOVE the Clipper! My father was instrumental in bringing her back to Muskegon back in the 1990's.

[@jawharp1992]

As soon as I saw the histobrick model I placed an order. I couldn't miss out on that. Very well made video as always.

[@2copy3copy4cpoy]

I was just over there, I saw the Silversides but this boat was closed for the season already. the idea was to take SS Badger, but her season ended early too, I took Lake Express instead. Looking forward to going back! They run two of the diesels on Silversides every Memorial Day, a rare treat for a museum ship/boat.

[@gmlover82]

This was an awesome video and thank you so much for making it. I had it on in the den, and next thing you know my whole family is sitting there watching it with me. I’ve got to make a trip up there to see her now. Keep videos like this coming!

[@ahlkazar7227]

Seeing the ship stuck in the ice reminded me of the City of Bangor, a car hauler that wrecked off of the Keweenaw Peninsula in 1926. It carried 248 '26 Chrysler's and wrecked in November. Once the ice had built up enough they drove the cars along the shore to Copper Harbor where they stayed until spring when they could be brought to Calumet and shiped by rail back to Detroit.

[@hotdogisland7115]

So very well done!

[@pollya2404]

Bravo! You've done a tremendous job in sharing the details of this great ship and of the efforts to preserve her. It was also fun to see your little one in a few of the shots, as well as Emma! All around great job. Thank you!

[@MorrisHillmanProductions]

Hi Tom, thanks for all the effort which you put into making these videos. Happy Christmas from Sydney, Australia.

[@thinktonka]

Have you looked into the SS Columbia? Its an old Detroit excursion steamer being restored in Buffalo. It used to service the Boblo Island amusement park on the Detroit River. Great video, you always do a good job!

[@silent3625]

a wonderful video! Especially a famous ship local to Wisconsin. I’d love to see a detailed documentary on the SS Seaandbee and how it turned into an aircraft carrier

[@L33tSkE3t]

This reminds me of the documentaries I would watch as a kid in the 2000s on History Channel. Ya know, back when they actually did things involving real history.

[@chrish352]

I remember as a high school kid working on her in maintenance at the Hammond Marina. Cleaning out the bunks in the summer crew quarters and meeting tourists in the buffet and Pullman. The stern car deck, with the cut out structure, that area in a storm would creak and groan like ships do, always creeped me out. I think a road trip would be fun to see her again, was sad seeing her go the last time.

[@Twofrogsonecup]

always a blessing when you upload a video, have almost seen every video you've got posted, just can't get enough of these intresting and informing videos

[@aidenbrewer3893]

absolutely love this boat

[@dub2536]

I always enjoy your content. Thank You kindly for providing it. Sincere best wishes to you and to all! o7

[@osirisandilio]

As a teenager in the 80's, we used to camp in Muskegon. I loved seeing the Aquarama, it was the epitome of Art Deco

[@denistate3697]

Thank you for this very comprehensive and really interesting report.

[@jamesbraun9842]

This was an amazing tour. They let you in spots that are closed to the general public. Just wish you could have gotten an interview with the captain.

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Yeah, I really wanted to, but he doesn’t live near Muskegon and the schedules didn’t line up

[@LindaSolis-b9s]

Really interesting video! I love old steam ships and antique boats. I live in California and have visited the Maritime museum in San Francisco, and love visiting the Queen Mary in Long Beach, but have never heard of the boats on the Great Lakes. Looks like you are doing a great job of restoring and maintaining it! 🙂

[@stmtom2811]

They have done a amazing job with her!

[@hammanhamman5002]

I enjoyed this very much! Seeing you and your son at the helm was a bonus! Thank you!