The files continue to grow and several other collections have been added; some notable donors are John Nelson, John P. Kane, Harry Bethune Jr., Edwin Wilson, Christopher G. Winscher and Lewis Buttles. Rose Kramer's 20,000 bulk carrier photos arrived in 1986. Significant additions to the documentary materials have come from Kalmbach Publishing Company, Ralph Friedmann, H. E. Stephenson, Louis Quarles, Edmund Fitzgerald, Harry Thorpe Jr. the Milwaukee Harbor Commission and Courtland Conlee. The files continue to grow by generous contributions from additional donors. We are always looking for additions and to fill in the gaps. We gratefully accept any materials that you would be willing to donate to improve and update our collections.

MPL and WMHS transcribed the information onto permanent data cards specifically designed to record a brief history and technical information on each ship. The files are no longer called the Runge Collection since several other collections and additions have been added to the Ship Files. Each Ship File contains the data card and available photos, newspaper articles, etc. that pertain to the particular ship. Some include many articles regarding launching, individuals, collisions, sinkings and other reported incidents. 

In addition to the Ship (Vessel) Files database, we have the following with much more information: U.S. Customs Service Great Lakes Vessel Enrollment Records data base for the period 1815 through 1915 (40,000 records for 24,000 vessels), Canadian Great Lakes Vessels data base (6471 vessels), Coast Guard documentation Records database (14,000 vessels), Milwaukee Public Library Vessel Files data base and the Runge Vessel Index Card Data Base (26,000 vessels). We also have access to the Milwaukee Public Library's 7,600 Great Lakes Vessel files (1679-1995), which include a data card on each vessel and 21,000 + photos, copies of many of the Blue Book of American Shipping, Red Books, Shipmasters Assoc. Directory, Beesons (Sailors) Marine Hand Book, Marine Reviews, Inland Seas, Marine News, Biographies of prominent owners, captains/masters, vessel log book collection and the MPL index to the1837 - 1890 Milwaukee Sentinel Index. 

Determine if a Ship File Exists

The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society can furnish copies of the MPL ship files. The first step is to determine if there is a MPL Ship File by using the instructions below. You may search by Name of ship, name of captain, name of owner or site of wreck as described on the following MPL referenced ship file Web pages.

1. Name of Ship. If you know the Name of the Ship (Edmund Fitzgerald). Go directly to the MPL Title search page (http://countycat.mcfls.org/search/t) and type the full name of the ship in the TITLE block. You may have to try full name, last name only or last name with known initials.
   
   
2. Name of Captain or Owner. If you know the name of the Captain (McSorley, Ernest R.) or Owner (Oglebay Norton Company). Go directly to the MPL Author search page (http://countycat.mcfls.org/search/a) and type the full name of the Captain/Owner in the AUTHOR block. You may have to try full name (Denis Sullivan), last name only (Sullivan) or last name with known initials (Sullivan D.). Also last name, first name, captain (Sullivan Denis Captain) can also narrow the search down.
   
   
3. Site of Wreck. If you know the site of the wreck. Go directly to the MPL Subject search page (http://countycat.mcfls.org/search/d) and shipwreck site (Shipwrecks--Ontario--Coppermine Point).
   
   

Request a Copy of the Ship File from WMHS

1. We are constantly adding to the MPL Vessel files. You may not find the vessel you are searching for using the above method but we may have information on the vessel. In that case fill out the Research Request Form completely. Click on the SUBMIT button and your request will be submitted. If MPL/WMHS has a vessel file (no charge for providing information about the ship file) we will advise the cost for a copy of the file. The WMHS will notify you if it has any information and photos about the ship, dimensions or other data you are seeking, and the cost for research time and reproductions. Your information request will be handled promptly. Our fees average $10 per vessel for a copy of the basic ship file that normally contains a data sheet, photocopies of available black and white photos (2 max.) and general information. If the Ship file contains extensive data we will advise the additional cost. Upon receipt of a check or money order (in US funds only, made out to Wisconsin Marine Historical Society 814 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-2385) the WMHS will mail you the information.
   
   
2. If you have determined MPL/WMHS has a ship file, using the above and below described methods, then you may order the file directly by sending in a check. First fill out the Research Request Form with the information contained in the MPL Ship/Vessel File. Click on the PURCHASE WITH A CHECK button and your request will be submitted. Our fees average $10 per vessel for a copy of the basic ship file that normally contains a data sheet, photocopies of available black and white photos (2 max.) and general information. If the ship file contains extensive data we will send the basic data and advise the additional cost. Upon receipt of a check or money order (in US funds only, made out to Wisconsin Marine Historical Society 814 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-2385), the WMHS will mail you the information. 

The Milwaukee Public Library Ship (Vessel) Files are the property of the Milwaukee Public Library. Copies of the Ship Files may be requested on line at the MPL Great Lakes Marine Collection (www.mpl.org/files/central/greatlakes/glakes.htm) web pages. Instructions to view a Sample Ship file, Nautical Charts, Great Lakes Marine Magazines and Ask the Admiral are contained on the MPL web pages. Copies of the Ship files may also be ordered using the MPL instructions.

History of the Collection

The cornerstone upon which the Great Lakes Ship Files is built is the Herman G. Runge Collection, acquired by the library in 1959. Runge devoted almost 70 years of his life to collecting and preserving information on all aspects of marine activities on the Great Lakes. For years this indefatigable man journeyed to all the principal lake ports, visiting with government and shipping officials, captains and crews of lake boats, ship photographers and fellow collectors. At the same time he kept up a heavy correspondence with other compilers, government agencies and shipping lines. When he died on March 16, 1958, he had become indisputably one of the most knowledgeable and colorful collectors on the lakes. Mr. Runge's handwritten cards are still available, but his handwriting needs some effort to decipher. 

The Runge Collection contained information on thousands of ships that had sailed the Lakes as well as approximately 21,000 photographs of Great Lakes ships.  The Library transcribed the invaluable information Runge collected onto 7600 permanent data cards specifically designed to record a brief history and technical information on each ship. Staff of the Humanities Room continuously updates the Great Lakes Ship Files, some of which have grown to include dozens of items.

The files are no longer called the Runge Collection because several other collections have augmented them. Additional notable donors include John Nelson, John P. Kane, Harry Bethune Jr., Edwin Wilson, Christopher G. Winscher and Lewis Buttles. Rose Kramer's 20,000 bulk carrier photos arrived in 1986. Significant additions to the documentary materials have come from the Kalmbach Publishing Company, Ralph Friedmann, H.E.Stephenson, Louis Quarles, Edmund Fitzgerald, Harry Thorpe Jr., the Milwaukee Harbor Commission and Courtland Conlee. The files continue to grow.

• Is there a photograph(s) of the vessel? 
• Have there been magazine and newspaper articles about the ship? 
• When was she built and for whom? 
• Who was her captain? 
• What did she carry? 
• When did she sink and has the wreck been found? 
• Is there a painting or maybe a blueprint of her hull? 
• And much more. 

Sample Ship file

For copies, Ask the Admiral 

This will tell you that the library has a file on the ship, but will not tell you how many pictures or how much information the file contains. (On this ship there is a ton of data!)
To get the information, call or write to:

Milwaukee Public Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.,
Milwaukee, WI 53233-2385
or phone (414) 286-3061

 

You can see it all when you visit the library, or we can copy it and mail it to you for a fee. The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and other groups make extensive use of the Milwaukee Public Library Great Lakes Marine Collection.