USCGC Icebreaker Mackinaw
Anchor Bay 118
Red Hull Version

The icebreaker Mackinaw (WAGB 83) was born with an important mission: to keep the shipping lanes open on the Great Lakes each winter. The critical raw materials feeding the tool and weapons industries were needed to win World War II. Her keel was laid at the Toledo Shipbuilding Company on 20 March 1943 and she was commissioned exactly 21 months later on 20 December 1944.

Built at a cost of $10 million, the Mackinaw is 290’ long with a beam of 74+’ and draft of 19’. Her displacement is 5,252 tons and her maximum speed is 16 knots.
“Big Mac” is powered by six, 2-cycle, opposed-piston, 10-cylinder diesel engines with a total of 12,000 horsepower. However, it is not these engines that drive the icebreaker. The diesels generate electricity through six generators that power electric motors that turn the shafts and propellers of the vessel. There are three electric motors: one 3,300 HP at the bow turning a 12’ propeller and two 5,000 HP at the stern turning 14’ propellers.

While other icebreakers may require several passes to break ice, the Mackinaw is capable of moving continuously through ice up to three feet thick at 3 knots, clearing a 75+’ wide path. Her bow is designed to ride up on the ice and crush it with her weight - increased by trim and healing tanks filled with water!

Cheboygan, Michigan has been the Mackinaw’s home port for her entire active service on the Great Lakes. She was decommissioned on June 10, 2006 after 62 years of stellar service.

The Mackinaw is destined to remain in the Straits area; she will become a floating museum in Mackinaw City.