Maritime historian from CMU to discuss evolution of the scow

Jay Martin

Maritime historian from CMU to discuss evolution of the scow

LUDINGTON — On Thursday, Jan. 25, the Mason County Historical Society will present “Bows Like Scows: The Great Lakes and the Evolution of the Square Hull Design.” Presented by maritime historian Jay Martin, the program will delve into the evolution of the scow – a rectangular-hulled, flat-bottomed watercraft that has left an indelible mark on maritime history worldwide.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. at the Mason County Research Center, 130 E. Ludington Ave.

Martin is a 40-plus 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 in Madisonville, La., the American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship in Tampa, Fla., and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wis.

Martin 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.

Key Points of the presentation will include:

• 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.

The Mason County Historical Society operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program is free but donations are requested.