Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Max Hanley specialized in carferries, rather than the auto carriers. The Ludington native passed away in 2022. The book already cited, Autos on the Water by Lawrence Brough, is a fairly good overview of the trade, the focus on Nicholson and McCarthy for obvious reasons. There was a copy available on eBay a few days ago.

Mr Link wrote: February 21, 2026, 7:39 pm Two books that cover the subject. I honestly haven't read either yet, although I do own a copy of the Nicholson Lines book.

a) "The Nicholson Lines and Their Captains" by Emory J. Massman Jr. Marine Historical Society of Detroit https://www.mhsd.org/publications

b) "Autos on the Water" by Lawrence Brough, 86 pages. https://www.abebooks.com/9780910347068/ ... 347069/plp

THANK YOU!! Exactly what I was looking for

There was a lot of info and resources on the old Boat nerd site. Administrators is there any link to that?

I seem to recall once a gentleman I think that was very knowledgable on the car carriers. Not 100% sure if he’s still with us today or possibly passed on a few years ago? I think his name was Max not sure of his last name but, I thought he once lived in or near either Ludington or Manitowoc and that area. Don’t know too if he ever written anything on the car carriers or not? I’m not up on the car carriers or their histories as that was well before I ever got into the ships & boats. You may want to try and search for different areas and locations to see if that may help. For instance, Ludington and or Manitowoc areas and Straits of Mackinaw area before the Big Mack Bridge was built. Another suggestion, try to search for various museums in some of these areas I suggested and port cities and towns. You never know, some of the museums may have books or else may help or give you some tips and advice on where to look. One last possibility could be one of your libraries as they may be able to help too or provide some information for you. Sorry I can’t be of further help but, these are my suggestions then. Good Luck to you and hope you find what you’re looking & searching for.

Two books that cover the subject. I honestly haven't read either yet, although I do own a copy of the Nicholson Lines book.

a) "The Nicholson Lines and Their Captains" by Emory J. Massman Jr. Marine Historical Society of Detroit https://www.mhsd.org/publications

b) "Autos on the Water" by Lawrence Brough, 68 pages. https://www.abebooks.com/9780910347068/ ... 347069/plp

There is at least one book on the car ferries of the Great Lakes. The one "m familiar with is George Hilton's book called, "Great Lakes Car Ferries". Google has a sample of the book: https://books.google.ca/books?id=H9rIDw ... &q&f=false

Google is frustrating me, or asking the wrong questions.

We had car carriers on the lakes like the SS City of Bangor, are there any books on the history of these vessels?

Thanks