The Return Journey of the SS Christopher Columbus

SS Christopher Columbus docked in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin-Madison - Superior Special Collections and Archives

A one-of-kind passenger ship was once seen sailing around the Great Lakes during the start of the 20th century. Her name was the SS Christopher Columbus. Though she was less than a third of the length of today’s largest cruise ships and was unlike any other passenger vessel that has ever sailed, she would become a unique and historic icon of the North Shore.

The Columbus had a 40-year career and is estimated to have carried more than 4 million passengers until she was scrapped in 1937. She would often visit ports all around the Great Lakes during her prime, including a small logging and fishing town of Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Just a few days before my 45th birthday, the Bayfield Maritime Museum commissioned me to take on the project of building a 1:80 scale model of the SS Christopher Columbus for their collection. The museum wants to have a model of the historic ship that celebrates its connection with Bayfield. Once completed, this model will be the largest I’ve personally ever built, measuring nearly five feet long.

The museum also had a special request. They asked that I chronicle the build over the next several months so that others can learn how these models are made. Along the way, I will also share some of the details and stories of the ship and techniques for its reconstruction.

It has been nearly 90 years since Bayfield has seen this ship at its dock. I am pleased to be part of bringing this ship back to them next summer. Special thanks to the Bayfield Maritime Museum for its interest and support in this project.