Iconic 1,800-pound anchor outside Up North museum is perfect photo op - mlive.com

The 1,800-pound anchor outside Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Mich., gets an adjustment to return it to its cement pad. The anchor is a popular photo op.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ALPENA, MI – This 1,800-pound anchor outside an Up North museum “supports a lot of photos,” officials said.

This week, the iconic anchor outside the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena got an adjustment to ensure there’s not an “anchors away” situation.

“Every now and then, this 1800-pound piece of history needs a little adjustment to get back onto the cement pad,” according to NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which manages the museum. “It supports a lot of photos, many with people climbing ‘aboard.’”

With its wooden stock and metal head, shank, crown and flukes, the anchor is typical of ships that sailed the Great Lakes in the 1800s, officials said.

It was found near the North Point reef in the 1970s, official said. The wooden stock was remade by a local Eagle Scout.

The state took ownership of the anchor, officials said. It was first placed at Alpena Community College and later moved to the museum.

Ships lose many anchors over their lifespan, making it a challenge to tie them to a specific ship, officials said. This one has not been identified.

The museum is at 500 W. Fletcher St. in Alpena.

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