The Mason County Historical Society is thrilled to present an engaging session on maritime history titled “Bows like Scows: The Great Lakes and the Evolution of the Square Hull Design.” The event is scheduled for January 25th at 7:00 pm and will take place at the Mason County Historical Society at 130 E. Ludington Ave. in Ludington, Michigan.
From the earliest days of human watercraft to the bustling commerce of today, waterways have played a pivotal role in shaping our history. While the dugout canoe is often recognized as the earliest watercraft, Jay Martin, a seasoned maritime historian and archaeologist, will delve into the intriguing evolution of the “scow” – a rectangular-hulled, flat-bottomed watercraft that has left an indelible mark on maritime history worldwide.
Key Points:
- Uncovering the ancient emergence of the scow design.
- Tracing the evolution of scow design through historical and maritime archaeological research.
- Spotlight on sailing scows of the Great Lakes and why they stand out as the most influential and successful scows in the world.
Jay Martin is a 40+ year veteran of historical endeavors and a specialist in maritime history with a focus on the impact that the Great Lakes of Canada and the United States have had on global maritime history. He is a former merchant mariner and has led multiple maritime museums, including the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum (Madisonville, Louisiana), the American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship (Tampa, Florida), and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Manitowoc, Wisconsin). He teaches American, Maritime, Military, and Public History at Central Michigan University in a joint appointment as director and curator of the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History/Gerald Poor School House Museum and director of the Museum Studies Program.
