They call her “Mackinaw”

“They call her Mackinaw.” This is what the captain said to me one morning as we stood in the shadow cast by this massive ship.
I had stopped by to inquire about the history of the boat and was delighted to be speaking with somebody who had spent his career as the captain of this now decommissioned Coast Guard icebreaker. She had originally been built during World War II to deliver supplies across Icy waters. He had loved his time aboard Her and he was generous with his stories. After we spoke I went to a distant dock and set up my easel and began to paint her. What I couldn’t forget was the look on his face when he told me her name. It was as if he was referring to one of his old friends.
It has stuck with me. I occasionally pass by this ship and I can’t help but wonder about the many years she spent crossing though icy waters.
Some call her “The Queen of The Great Lakes” and after studying her royal red hull and broad curves, I can understand why.