Ludington in Mason County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"The Abbie"

A Great Lakes Schooner

— By Tyson Snow, Ogden, Utah —

"The Abbie" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016

1. "The Abbie" Marker

Inscription.
The "Abbie" was the last schooner built at the Ludington docks in 1886 for Rasmus Rasmussen. At 88 feet long, 22 feet wide, and with a 6 foot draft, this double-masted, 88-ton schooner was typical of those that sailed the Great Lakes. On most voyages it would transport "tannin bark" to the tanneries in Chicago, returning with items needed by the inhabitants of the Ludington area. The "Abbie" sailed Lake Michigan until it was lost off Portage Lake Pier on November 8, 1905 when a storm drove it ashore. One of the crew swam to safety and with the swift response of rescuers, the remaining crew members were recovered from the cabin wreckage with no loss of life.

A gift of Jack and Shirley Rasmussen

In memory of the Rasmussen, Lagesen, Vogel and Madsen families

Erected 2015.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 43° 57.204′ N, 86° 27.658′ W. Marker is in Ludington, Michigan, in Mason County. Bas relief and marker are about 600 feet southwest of the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Loomis Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Maritime Heritage Park, Ludington MI 49431, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Sport Fishing" (within shouting distance of this marker); S.S. Pere Marquette 18 (approx. ¼ mile away); Armistice Day Storm (approx. 0.3 miles away); S.S. City of Flint 32 (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); S.S. Badger / Ludington Car Ferries (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ludington.

More about this marker. "The Abbie" is part of the Mason County Sculpture Trail.

Also see . . .
1. The Mason County Sculpture Trail. (Submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. "New sculpture to be dedicated Saturday," in Mason County Press (2015). (Submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

"The Abbie" Bas Relief and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016

2. "The Abbie" Bas Relief and Marker

Looking south toward the harbor channel

"The Abbie" Bas Relief image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016

3. "The Abbie" Bas Relief

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.