Liberty Grove in Door County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Windlass & Associated Equipment
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2021
1. Windlass & Associated Equipment Marker
This early steam-powered windlass (patented August 28, 1855) from the steamer R.J. Hackett represents the evolution from manually powered anchor windlasses to steam powered. To manually raise an anchor from 50 feet of water was not only time consuming (two to three hours), but also labor intensive. In case of a storm, the anchor line or chain would be cut to release the vessel so she could ride a storm out in open water. With the innovation of the steam-powered windlass, the anchors could be raised in minutes saving time and labor.The R.J. Hackett (built in 1869 at Cleveland, Ohio) with its forward mounted pilothouse was the prototype for the first generation wooden bulk freighter of the Great Lakes. Another exclusive feature of the Hackett was having her loading hatches with 24-foot center spacing to match the ore loading chutes at Marquette, Michigan.
The Hackett caught fire and sank on Whaleback Shoal on November 12, 1905. She was loaded with 100 tons of coal at time of sinking.
Erected by Donated by Dave Weborg and Tim Weborg.
Topics. This historical
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Location. 45° 17.525′ N, 87° 1.288′ W. Marker is in Liberty Grove, Wisconsin, in Door County. Marker can be reached from West Wisconsin Bay Road north of Highway 42T, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the grounds of Death's Door Maritime Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12724 West Wisconsin Bay Road, Ellison Bay WI 54210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Anchor (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Anchor (here, next to this marker); Air Funnel (a few steps from this marker); Rudder from the "City of Glasgow" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fishtug Skipper (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Skipper (about 500 feet away); Ancient Shorelines (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Niagara Escarpment (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Liberty Grove.
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2021
2. Death's Door Maritime Museum
The windlass and marker are located near the front doors of the museum
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2021
3. Windlass & Associated Equipment
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
