Wayside: Volunteers to Coast Guardsmen

"Volunteers to Coast Guardsmen" wayside sign on North Manitou Island in front of Hans Halseth House

Quick Facts

Location:

45° 7' 18.35" N, 85° 58' 38.262" W

Amenities

1 listed

Audio Description

Main Exhibit Text

By the 1850s, accelerating ship traffic on Lake Michigan brought increased shipwrecks, especially in the Manitou Passage, the dangerous stretch of water between the Manitou Islands and mainland. In 1854, Congress recognized the need for a life-saving service in the United States. First, it authorized volunteer life-saving stations.

Then in 1878, the U.S. Life-Saving Service (USLSS) was organized with paid crews, and in 1915 merged into the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). From 1854 to 1938, surfmen at North Manitou Island risked their lives, saving 772 people from shipwrecks. The evolution of the USLSS to the USCG can be seen at the North Manitou Island National Historic Landmark District.

Image Descriptions

Background Image

The background image of this exhibit is a black and white historic photograph of Lake Michigan, taken from the perspective of someone on the water. Along the shoreline is a dock leading to the U.S. Life-Saving Service boathouse. Resort cottages are set back from the station buildings that line the shore.

North Manitou Boathouse (top right)

In the upper right corner, is a color photograph of a long boat. The photograph appears to be from present day and shows a boat sitting up on blocks inside a boathouse. The boat is painted white and has blue trim around the top edge.

Caption

The boathouse on North Manitou Island is the only 1854 boathouse in existence and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Historic Photograph (lower left, top)

In the lower left corner, there are two historic photographs. They are both sepia colored and show a group of U.S. Life-Saving Service crew. The image above pictures 8 crewmen standing around their boat, which is sitting on a dock. They are all dressed in uniform, which includes dark slacks and jacket, a hat, and lifejacket.

Caption

The North Manitou Island USLSS crew and their boat in 1897.

Historic Photograph (lower left, bottom)

The image below pictures 8 crewmen posing together, sitting or kneeling on the grass outside their boathouse. Sitting to the right is a small child. The crewmen are all dressed in uniform, which includes dark slacks, vest, jacket, and hat. Some men have on a bowtie, and some are wearing a tie. The boy to the right is wearing dark pants and jacket with a brimmed hat.

Caption

The North Manitou Island USLSS crew pose by the boathouse in 1901.