Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Website: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

Description:

This comprehensive digital archive focuses on the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes. It provides access to historical documents, photographs, vessel registries, and accounts of shipwrecks. A valuable resource for historians, divers, and enthusiasts, the site explores the evolution of maritime activity on the lakes, detailing the development of shipbuilding, commerce, and navigation from the early 19th century to modern times.

Glossary Terms:

• Maritime Archaeology: The study of human interaction with the sea, lakes, and rivers through the excavation of shipwrecks and related sites.

• Great Lakes Schooner: A type of sailing vessel adapted for Great Lakes conditions, characterized by fore-and-aft rigged sails.

• Steamship Era: The period during the 19th and early 20th centuries when steam-powered vessels dominated the Great Lakes.

• Centreboard: A retractable keel used by schooners and smaller vessels for navigation in shallow waters.

• Grain Trade: A significant economic activity on the Great Lakes, involving the shipment of Midwest grain to eastern ports.

• Shipbuilder’s Register: A historical record listing ships constructed in specific regions, often detailing dimensions, builders, and owners.