Want to know more about Piracy on the Great Lakes? This is a podcast I participated in recently for the Mathieu Project with Mathieu Itoney where we spend time digging into the background of Great Lakes Pirates. From the era of the fur trade through prohibition, pirates roamed the Great Lakes. They took advantage of anything they could find and were rarely caught. There were fur trade pirates, timber pirates, Mormon pirates, civil war pirates, brawling pirates, and prohibition pirates. These are True Tales of Freshwater Pirates! Check out the conversation.
Piracy on the Great Lakes: True Tales of Freshwater Pirates
For over forty years, writer and photographer Mikel Classen has immersed himself in the rich history and culture of Northern Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). His latest work, Piracy on the Great Lakes: True Tales of Freshwater Pirates, uncovers the fascinating and lesser-known stories of pirates who sailed the vast freshwater seas of the Great Lakes. In this article, we dive into the unique maritime history of the region, explore some notorious pirates, and uncover how piracy shaped this rugged frontier.
You can listen to the interview by clicking on the triangle below
The Unique History and Culture of the Great Lakes Region
Because of the nature of the Great Lakes, a culture was created through the mix of Native Americans, French trappers, miners, loggers, and maritime sailors that can be found nowhere else. Like many places, the Michigan frontier was rough and lawless. It was a perfect mix for piracy to flourish.
Living in the UP, one quickly realizes how deeply rooted this history is, but few realize that piracy was also part of this story. It is a mysterious part of our past, shrouded in secrecy as a pirate’s deeds were those that could get a man hung. Renegade sailors and captains preying on ships and settlements across the lakes were not uncommon.
Freshwater Pirates: Who Were They?
Contrary to the romanticized image of Caribbean pirates in flamboyant costumes, Great Lakes pirates were practical and ruthless, wearing wool and flannel. They were often ordinary men who turned to crime—stealing cargo, raiding ships, and resorting to violence to maintain silence. No witnesses are the best witnesses.
The USS Michigan in its early days of patrolling the Great Lakes.
The USS Michigan was the only law enforcement vessel patrolling the entire Great Lakes region, pirates had plenty of opportunities to strike when it was out of sight. With thousands of miles of waterway to patrol, The USS Michigan had a bigger job than it could handle. Pirates exploited this gap by stealing goods from docks or ships and quickly reselling them at different ports, making piracy a lucrative and low-risk venture during the 19th century.
Notable Pirates and Piracy Stories of the Great Lakes
Dan Seavey: The Escanaba Pirate
Dan Seavey, the Lake Michigan pirate relaxes and poses for a picture after his trial in Chicago.
“Roaring” Dan Seavey stands out as one of the most notorious pirates in Great Lakes history. Originally from Maine, he migrated westward and found the Great Lakes region a perfect place for his illicit activities due to its rugged, lawless frontier. Seavey led a fleet of schooners, raiding ships and shore settlements. He poached and smuggled venison along with women for brothels.
James Jesse Strang and the Beaver Island Pirates
James Jesse Strang was a unique figure—a Mormon leader who declared himself king of his followers on Beaver Island. Strang and his band of pirates, often polygamous and enforcing strict religious laws, raided settlements across northern Lake Michigan, claiming the islands as their own territory. Their tactics included stealing livestock, ships, and supplies, often intimidating locals with public punishments for dissenters.
Strang’s reign ended violently when he was assassinated by his own followers, after which non-Mormon residents banded together to expel the Mormons from the island in what became known as one of the darkest episodes in Michigan history.
The Apostle Islands Pirates
Another intriguing tale comes from the Apostle Islands near Bayfield, Wisconsin. A group of pirates named themselves after the apostles—Mark, Luke, and John—with a leader called “Chief.” They operated during the fur trade era, raiding French shipments and even robbing payrolls. It is told that the Apostle Islands received their name from the Apostle pirates. Piracy during the fur trade years was rampant with wars between the fur trade companies resulted in massacres.
Bully Hayes: From the Great Lakes to the South Seas
The cover for one of the “Bully” Hayes novels about the pirate that began in the Great Lakes.
Bully Hayes began his pirate career on Lake Erie but eventually sailed to the South Seas, where he became a legendary figure featured in dime novels and pulp fiction. While his exploits in the Great Lakes were typical raiding and theft, his South Seas adventures elevated his notoriety far beyond the freshwater seas.
Wreckers, Timber Pirates, and Prohibition-Era Smugglers
Piracy on the Great Lakes wasn’t limited to raiding ships. “Wreckers” deliberately caused shipwrecks by manipulating lighthouse signals or using fake lights to lure vessels onto rocks, then looted the wreckage. Both James Strang’s followers and Dan Seavey employed these tactics, especially in treacherous areas like the Beaver Islands.
Timber piracy was another major problem in the 1800s, with pirates stealing logs and lumber from federal lands. Interestingly, many settlers supported these pirates because they wanted the forests cleared to make way for farming. This led to the “Timber Rebellion” of 1853, where pirates even rammed the USS Michigan in defiance of federal law enforcement.
During Prohibition, piracy took on a new form with bootleggers smuggling vast quantities of alcohol across the Detroit River. One infamous figure known as the “Gray Ghost” wore gray clothing and a mask, running booze between Detroit and Windsor. The sheer volume of alcohol moved—valued at over $200 million in one year along just one stretch of water—made this era a golden age for Great Lakes piracy.
The Legacy and Mysteries of Great Lakes Piracy
A wanted poster for the Great Lakes Pirates
Most Great Lakes pirates were motivated by profit rather than treasure, stealing commodities rather than gold or jewels. However, legends of lost treasures persist, such as the rumored Civil War gold lost near Poverty Island in Lake Michigan and possible hidden riches left behind when the Mormons were expelled from Beaver Island.
These tales, along with the rugged and often brutal reality of piracy on the freshwater seas, paint a vivid picture of a frontier region where lawlessness and survival intertwined. The stories of these freshwater pirates remind us that piracy was not just a Caribbean phenomenon but a part of the American heartland’s history as well.
Continuing the Exploration of Upper Peninsula History
Mikel Classen continues to explore the rich and sometimes dark history of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through his writing. His upcoming works promise to uncover more wild and surprising stories from this rugged and fascinating region. Keep following for more.
The cover art for the novel the Alexandria Code, an Isabella Carter Mystery, by Mikel B. Classen, now available.
Alexandria Code Review from Reader Views
Most of my readers know me from my books of non-fiction. Occasionally I step away from that and put something together just for fun. My book Lake Superior Tales is like that, U.P. tall tales. A couple of years ago I put together a novel of action and adventure that I felt was something I would like to read. The Alexandria Code is that book. Now, much to my gratification, my book the Alexandria Code, has just received another 5-star review from the book site, Reader Views.
The Review
5-Star Review
“The Alexandria Code,” part of the Isabella Carter Adventure series by Mikel B. Classen, is a thrilling blend of suspense, action, and archaeological intrigue. In this gripping adventure, archaeologist Dr. Isabella Carter finds herself embroiled in a dangerous quest following the discovery of ancient mysterious quartz stones. Unfortunately, her nemesis Lazarus Fane stokes her interest by bringing her one to investigate. He is a ruthless black market antiquities dealer who has previously brought nothing but pain to Isabella.
Similar quartz stones were discovered by diver Aiden McKenzie. Isabella joins him to go on the hunt for them after they have been stolen. These ancient artifacts, seemingly too perfect for natural formation, hint at a long-lost code created by an advanced civilization. This sets the stage for an exciting exploration of history, morality, and survival.
Classen quickly draws readers into a tale that involves high stakes and shadowy dealings. Lazarus Fane adds a palpable tension to the plot. His manipulation of Isabella into researching the quartz moves the story forward. As it does, it reveals a complex web of deceit and violence. As Isabella and her team, which includes grad students and old allies, delve deeper into this mystery, they become targets themselves. This adds layers of suspense which makes it impossible to put this thriller down!
I found the character development in “The Alexandria Code” to be particularly noteworthy. Isabella is portrayed as a strong, multifaceted protagonist who is haunted by her past. This past is intertwined with Fane’s dark history and the tragic loss of valued colleagues and people from an indigenous tribe. In addition to the darkness, Isabella also has some extraordinary experiences that leave her with special gifts. The backstory not only enriches her character but also adds depth to the narrative. The supporting characters are also well-crafted and have significant contributions to the unfolding drama.
Classen also excels in creating vivid settings that transport readers from places like Michigan and New York to the Florida Everglades. The protagonist also relives a part of her past that took place in a South American jungle. These places are incredibly described and, in many cases, offer very unique settings, such as when she is exploring a secret ancient temple. These locales enhance the sense of adventure and discovery. The pacing is relentless. Readers will find that the narrative remains pulse pounding and engaging through the whole adventure.
“The Alexandria Code” by Mikel B. Classen is an intense action-adventure that also raises questions about knowledge, ethics, and the responsibilities that come with discovery. Isabella Carter’s journey is one of empowerment and resilience. This novel is a must-read for fans of archaeology, and suspense. I look forward to reading more adventures in this series.” Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views.
Mikel B. Classen has been writing and photographing northern Michigan in newspapers and magazines for forty years. Creating feature articles for magazines and newspapers about the life and culture of Michigan’s north country. A journalist, historian, photographer, and author with a fascination of the world around him, he enjoys researching and writing about lost stories from the past. He is founder of the U.P. Reader and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association. In 2020, Mikel won the Historical Society of Michigan’s George Follo Award for Upper Peninsula History.
Classen makes his home in the oldest city in Michigan, historic Sault Sainte Marie. He is also a collector of out-of-print history books, and historical photographs and prints of Upper Michigan. At Northern Michigan University, he studied English, history, journalism, and photography.
His books, Au Sable Point Lighthouse, Beacon on Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast (2014) and Teddy Roosevelt and the Marquette Libel Trial (2015) were published by the History Press. His book of fiction, Lake Superior Tales, won a 2020 U.P. Notable Book Award. Points North (2019), a nonfiction travel book, received the Historical Society of Michigan’s, “Outstanding Michigan History Publication,” along with a 2021 U.P. Notable Book Award. Since then, he has released, True Tales: the Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (2021), and Faces, Places, & Days Gone By, a Pictorial History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (2022 ).
Classen is co-author of the Yooper Ale Trails (2023) along with Jon C. Stott all published by Modern History Press. In late 2023, Mikel released his first novel, The Alexandria Code, an Isabella Carter Adventure, published by Modern History Press. Mikel’s newest endeavors are the Yooper History Hunter Series, the first of which is Old Victoria, a Copper Country Ghost Town and the infamous Piracy on the Great Lakes: True Tales of Freshwater Pirates.
To learn more about Mikel B. Classen and to see more of his work, go to his website at www.mikelbclassen.com.
