Day 26

We arrived in Mackinaw City today. OK, I got the pronunciation screwed up. You will see it Mackinaw and Mackinac. The latter is (I am told) the French spelling from way back. Anyway, regardless of spelling, it is pronounced Mackinaw.

The trip up from Monroe, Michigan was an easy drive and we came into town about noon. Our first stop was the USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB 83). It was the largest ice breaker on the Great Lakes. It served from 1946 to 2006. It was replaced by another ice breaker which was also named the USCGC Mackinaw (WLBB 30). We got very lucky and had the opportunity to visit both vessels. The now one was open for visitation at the Coast Guard base in Cheboygan, just 20 miles south. Our tour of the old vessel was especially interesting because they had a volunteer in the engine room who had actually served aboard the ship in the engine room. We had a great conversation. That guy knew his stuff.

The tour of the new Vessel was conducted by personnel who were stationed on the ship. We got to go all over the place and they did a good job. The new vessel is a combination ice breaker and buoy tender. It was very shiny and modern looking.