Marquette Maritime Museum Lyle Gun Demonstration

The Marquette Maritime Museum will mark the occasion of the 228^th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard by firing their historic line-throwing Lyle Gun on Coast Guard Day, August 4, at 1:00 p.m. (weather permitting).  “We cannot think of better way of honoring this great group of brave men and women than the loud roar of the Lyle gun over Lake Superior!” says Museum President Fred Stonehouse.

The small cannon was used to shoot a line from shore to a shipwreck near shore. Crews then sent out a “breeches buoy” to bring stranded crew to safety.

The Lyle Gun was named for its developer, U.S. Army Captain David Lyle.   First used in 1877, it saw wide use by the old U.S. Life-Saving Service crews, including the men at Marquette under legendary Captain Henry Cleary. The last use of the gun on the Great Lakes was in May 1956 when the Marquette Coast Guard used it to bring 24 sailors off the wrecked steamer MARYLAND on Chocolay Beach. An explanation of the gun and its history will be provided prior to firing.