USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
USCGC "Mackinaw" (WAGB-83) is a former Coast Guard icebreaker on exhibit as a museum ship at the Ice Breaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The vessel has been known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes" and "The Largest Icebreaker on the Great Lakes"; the site states that "she was built ... during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months". "Mackinaw" was both commissioned and homeported during active service in Cheboygan, Michigan. Due to her age and expensive upkeep, she was decommissioned and replaced with a  smaller multipurpose vessel, , which was commissioned in Cheboygan the same day. The old "Mackinaw", LR number 6119534, moved under its own power on 21 June 2006 Cheboygan to a permanent berth at the dock on the eastern end of the old railroad dock; entry to the area is just south of the Shepler's Marine Service. Construction. The Mackinaw (WAGB-83) was laid down on 20 March 1943 at Toledo Shipbuilding Company in Toledo, Ohio, launched (sideways) on 4 March 1944, and commissioned on 20 December 1944. Due to the WWII war efforts Toledo area Male workers were at an all -time low. The shipyard opened their hiring to Toledo area Women, they initially hired 12 'helpers' within a short time and eventually hired over 100 women workers. "Mackinaw"’s design was based on the of Coast Guard icebreakers, but the cutter was built wider and longer than the other Wind-class vessels so that her draft would be shallower. Because she was built specially for the Great Lakes — she was too wide to fit through the pre-1959 Saint Lawrence Seaway — her hull was built lighter than the Wind-class vessels, but shared many characteristics, such as a relatively short length  in proportion to the great power developed, a cut-away forefoot, rounded bottom, and fore, aft and side heeling tanks. Diesel electric machinery was chosen for its controllability and resistance to damage, and she also had a bow propeller. The original blueprints of the Mackinaw called for 300 ft in length. She was built with a length of 290 ft. For ground tackle she shipped two Bower Stockless anchors with links. As museum ship. The museum provides educational tours and overnight stays on the vessel. Visitors can tour the mess deck, the captain's quarters, bridge, engine room, ward room , sick bay and other areas. A retail store on the vessel sells relevant products. A fee is charged to visitors but all current and former USCG personnel are admitted free upon presentation of proper identification. Amateur radio. The Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet Counties Public Service Communications Organization (CCECPSO), has established a full-time amateur radio station on board the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum. The CCECPSCO has two repeaters on "Mackinaw" to provide communications coverage throughout the Straits of Mackinac. These repeaters, operating under the call-sign W8AGB to match the ship's WAGB-83 designation, are on a radio frequency of 145.110  MHz with 103.5 Hz PL tone and 444.375 MHz with 107.2 Hz PL tone. The organization is also actively assisting the museum with restoration and operation of various communications, navigation, and power systems. Included with the radios on board the ship are two Sunair RT-9000 HF transceivers with matching antenna couplers and vertical antennas. Scheduled for spring 2010 is the installation of a third RT-9000 paired with an LPA-9600 solid-state kilowatt amplifier and CU-9100 kilowatt autotuner along with a Sunair F-9800 automatic pre/post filter for each radio to permit simultaneous operation of all three stations, and Sunair RCU-9310  remote control panels. The vessel is equipped with a 160-40 Meter Dipole, antenna couplers and vertical antennas linked to the two Sunair RT-9000 transceivers. The CCECPSCO group planned to add extra antennae for VHF and UHF repeater use and a KC8TU customized wire antenna. Amateur radio operators visiting "Mackinaw" may operate the W8AGB station whenever a CCECPSCO member is present. The CCECPSCO conducts Amateur Radio Field Day operations from "Mackinaw" on the fourth full weekend in June. List of Captains. WAGB 83 had 30 skippers during her nearly 62-year career: