Tag Archives: wisconsin

Wisconsin Boater Discovers Historic Shipwreck in Lake Michigan

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Olson noted that the wreck lies in shallow waters approximately 20 feet deep. He observed that the bottom of the hull is mostly intact, while the ship’s sides are cut and flattened like fillets.

Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist at the State Historical Preservation Office of the Historical Society, dedicated several weeks to scrutinizing newspaper clippings, archival insurance records, and a database of port registrations, which is comparable to vehicle registrations.

Thomsen and her team also undertook diving missions to identify specific characteristics of the wreck.

Based on the ship’s exterior and its general wreckage location, the Historical Society confirmed that Olson had unearthed the long-lost remains of the Frank D. Barker.

“What’s fascinating about this wreck is that it’s all there,” Thomsen remarked. “It spreads across the bottom like a puzzle piece that you can visualize and reorganize.”

The 137-foot Frank D. Barker was constructed from wood in 1867 by veteran shipbuilder Simon G. Johnson in Clayton, New York. This canaler is specially designed for operation in the Great Lakes, as Thomsen explained. It was built to navigate the Welland Canal, which includes a series of locks that permit ships to bypass Niagara Falls, in addition to a combination of natural and modified waterways.

The Frank D. Barker primarily transported grain from the ports of Milwaukee and Chicago to Lake Ontario, and on westward voyages, it typically carried coal from Lake Erie’s ports to the Midwest, fueling factories and industries.

In 1887, the Frank D. Barker sailed from Manistee, Michigan, to Escanaba, Michigan, to load a cargo of iron ore. Unfortunately, the ship’s captain and crew strayed off course due to inclement weather and fog.

Ultimately, the vessel ran aground and was stranded by blown limestone on Spider Island. Multiple attempts to salvage the ship in October 1887 and again in August, September, and October of 1888 were unsuccessful.

“They finally concluded that they couldn’t retrieve it from where it was stuck and decided to abandon the ship,” Thomsen explained.

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the estimated loss of the ship was around $8,000 at the time, which translates to over $250,000 today.

Rediscovering the Frank D. Barker after 138 years is a momentous occasion for Door County, but it holds personal significance for Olson as well.

After informing the state’s historic preservation office about the findings, Olson chose to delve deeper into the exploration.

“When I think about my six-year-old son snorkeling on a shipwreck for the first time,” he shared.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

FBI arrests Wisconsin judge in immigration dispute during Trump Administration live update

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On March 11, approximately 50 judges gathered in Washington for a six-month meeting of the Judicial Council, which oversees the administration of federal courts. This meeting marked the first gathering since President Trump assumed office.

Discussions during the meeting focused on staffing levels, long-term planning, and the increasing threats to judges and their safety, according to attendees.

At one session, Judge Richard J. Sullivan, chairman of the conference’s Judicial Security Committee, raised concerns about potential threats to the safety of judges. He highlighted the authority that the US Marshals Service, overseen by the Justice Department, has in judicial security matters. Given the history of former officials like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton having their security stripped by Trump, Judge Sullivan wondered if federal judges could be the next target.

Judge Sullivan, who was appointed by President George W. Bush and later elevated to appeals judge by Trump, emphasized the importance of trusting the head of judicial security amidst uncertainties about potential threats to the federal bench.

While there is no evidence that Trump is considering revoking judges’ security, Judge Sullivan’s remarks highlighted the unease among judges about the agency responsible for their safety ultimately answering to the President through the Attorney General, without sufficient funding to address rising threats.

In a statement, the Marshall Services affirmed their commitment to following all legal orders from federal courts to ensure the protection of judges, jurors, and witnesses. However, concerns have been raised about the frozen court security funds at a time when threats to federal judges are on the rise.

Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr., in a letter to Congress, expressed disappointment that court security funds remain stagnant despite the escalating threats. The total amount spent has seen minimal increase, despite inflation and higher staff salaries.

The former US S’s responsibilities have expanded to include protecting the Supreme Court’s residence in response to growing threats. Concerns about the oversight of Marshall Services have led some to propose transferring control of the agency to the judiciary for better protection of judges.

As the threats to judges continue to increase, some members of Congress are considering legislation to make judicial security more independent. The former US S’s response to court orders and the potential interference from political branches remain critical issues to address for the safety of judges.

Despite the challenges, efforts to reduce Marshall Services to increase efficiency may impact the agency’s ability to fulfill its crucial mission of protecting judges and upholding court orders.

Source: www.nytimes.com