Outdoor Treasures

When a link of its anchor chain separated in 1974, the Edmund Fitzgerald, built at the Great Lakes Engineering Works, left her 12,290 pound starboard bow anchor at the Belle Isle Anchorage, 800 feet off Riopelle Street, east of the Renaissance Center. Discovered by divers on May 20, 1992, the anchor was removed from the water on July 20 of that same year and brought to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum the following day. It’s now displayed in our Lost Mariners Memorial, honoring all lives lost on the inland seas. 

Sponsored by Karen and Drew Peslar.

The Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812 secured control of the Great Lakes region for the United States. Used during that pivotal battle, these cannons were placed at Detroit’s old City Hall in 1874. When the building was demolished in 1961, the cannons were brought to the museum.

Built during the American Civil War, the USS Yantic saw service around the world before coming to Detroit as a training ship in 1897. 

Donated by Koenig Coal and Supply Co.

Nautical flag traditions are different than standard flag protocols. Our flag pole reflects the gaff and yardarm spars carried on old fashioned sailing ships. With this arrangement, the national flag – called an ensign – is flown from the gaff, which would have been at the stern, or back, of the boat. Other flags are carried off the yardarms. 

At the Dossin Museum, the Canadian national flag is flown in honor of our neighbor across the river, and the Michigan flag honors our Great Lakes state. In the days of famous sea battles, the admiral’s fleet pennant was hoisted to the top of the main mast, giving us the term “flag ship.” Today, the top hoist often flies company or yacht club flags, called burgees. Our mast has the city flag, honoring our position as the city of Detroit’s maritime museum. 

Flagpole and Observation Area sponsored by the DaVille Foundation.