The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong Great Lakes Pirates, Part 2: Shiver Me Timbers
Jan 13, 2026
Dive into the intriguing world of Great Lakes piracy as timber becomes a treasure trove for poachers. Discover the tumultuous journeys of the USS Michigan and its midnight collision. Meet Isaac Watts Willard, a timber agent turned pirate hunter, battling against ruthless timber barons. Explore the rise of timber piracy and the shocking repercussions on the economy and navigation. From violent confrontations to Congressional lobbying, uncover the captivating saga of lawlessness and resource depletion on Lake Michigan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Midnight Ramming By The Buffalo
- On May 5, 1853, a wooden steamer named Buffalo intentionally rammed the USS Michigan at night.
- The Buffalo then refused to identify itself or offer aid and continued toward Detroit.
Wood Fueled An Economic Boom
- The mid-19th-century Great Lakes timber boom made white pine extremely valuable and fueled large-scale theft.
- Timber shipments turned cities like Chicago and Milwaukee into booming centers tied to illegal logging.
Laws Protected Naval Timber
- Federal law treated cutting trees on public lands as a serious felony to protect naval timber reserves.
- The Supreme Court upheld convictions expanding the law's reach to all federal forests.