Part of the stated mission of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit is the publication of scholarly works exploring the history of Great Lakes ships and shipping. Here's a list of of our current projects.
The Nicholson Lines and Their Captains - COMING SOON
Historic Lake Vessels in Color, Collector Photo Series #1
Order online through our Secure and Safe PayPal links or through mail by printing this FORM.
The Nicholson Lines and Their Captains
Emory L. Massman
This profusely illustrated book, due in early 2012, tells the fascinating story of the Detroit-based fleet of cargo/automobile carriers and the men who sailed them.
Watch for ordering details soon.
Historic Lake Vessels in Color:
Collector Photo Series #1
(2003) This is the first of a series of books featuring rare color photographs of ships that sailed the Great Lakes in years gone by. The book features 24 pictures, plus those shown on the front and back covers, from sources previously unpublished. The purpose of this book is to publish rare photographs for those that collect such images and to preserve the different colors that differentiate one fleet from another. The pictures, approximately 7 by 10 inches, were reproduced from slides dating from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. The rarity of these photos was a primary consideration for their selection. A brief history of each vessel is included.
| Member $12.95 |
Non-Member $20.00 |
New Membership & Book ($30.00+$12.95) $42.95* |
*Join today and receive a Savings of $7.05 off the non-member price.
Ahoy & Farewell, Revised
(2001) This edition, which took more than six years to produce, greatly expanded and updated information for ships included in an earlier publication of the same name (see Ahoy & Farwell 1970) and Historian supplements spanning 1944 to 1969, the Society's first 25 years. More than 700 vessels of 1,000 gross registered tons or more are included in this completely redesigned book, whereas the 1970 edition (50 pages) only covered closer to 300 vessels of similar size. This 235-page, revised and completely rewritten hardbound book offers an in-depth history of each vessel with statistics and renames, ownership changes and anecdotal information. It also includes over 90 high-quality, and in many cases, very rare photographs. Post-1970 data was included in a brief format where available or referenced to Volume II. This edition includes a dust cover, an extensive index and a photo-engraved hardcover.
| Hardcover $39.95 |
Ahoy & Farewell II
(1996) Written to commemorate the Society's 50th anniversary (1944-1994), this greatly-expanded work covers over 440 vessels of 1,000 gross registered tons or more that came into service or left service during the 25-year period from 1969-1994. Ahoy & Farewell II offers an in-depth history of each vessel, with statistics and renames, ownership changes and anecdotal information. Hardcover, 244 pages, 65 pictures and an extensive index.
| Hardcover $39.95 |