ATTENTION
MEMBERS and FRIENDS
of the
S.S. Meteor!
All Hands on Deck!!
Please Register for the 21st Annual 2026 S.S. Meteor Project
Work Weekends ASAP!
Please Note: At the time of this Written Description of the Meteor project, the City of Superior has taken over the Management of the Museums. The city in collaboration with the GLSPS and other organizations involve with the Meteor will be creating a detailed plan . Please check back as the Project draws near.
This Preservation Project is Sponsored by:
Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS)
Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association (WUAA)
City of Superior - Division of Historic Properties (DHP)
PLEASE NOTE: There is not any requirement to be a member of the organizations listed above to join us for this project.
However, we certainly encourage you to become a member of your favorite organization, or all of them.
This is the "Twenty First" Annual S.S. Meteor Preservation Project. This year, it will be a six day week long project. The new dates are, Monday through Saturday April 27, 2026 through May 2, 2026.
Everyone is welcome to join us for any or all of the above dates.
Please sign up to be part of the crew by Registering on the GLSPS Website
and by Signing Up through the City of Superior. Please click on the links below.
This year we are requiring two (2) forms of Registering/Signup. Please sign up for both
Both are Required!
To Be a Crew Member please Click on this Button to Sign up
GLSPS "Register Now" Button
Please Note: Special pricing at the Barkers Island Inn is listed below. However, you may still take the time search for other Hotels and use an online booking service.
You may want to share a room with a fellow member to split costs. Please contact us to see any other members need to share a room.
Some bring campers. You will need to make special arrangements with a local camp or RV camping facilities.
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This is a very worthy cause and if we don't continue to preserve this one-of-a-kind Whale-back ship, it could be lost forever!
Please join us in preserving one of the only "Whale-back Ships" remaining in the world!
We are looking for a few good men and women to help preserve the
"S.S. METEOR"
S.S. Meteor Photos
Results of the Hull Painting
Aft Section After Hull Painting
Pilot House After Hull Painting
SS Meteor Project Crew
Requirements / Recommendations:
1.You must be 16 years of age or older. (Unless other arrangements are made)
2.Have your own Medical Insurance.
3.This is a project that requires the ability to do both light and or heavy physical work. By knowing your limits, please sign up for what ever task fits you physical capability.
4.Please bring your own safety equipment such as safety glasses, respirators, masks, knee pads, gloves, coveralls, shoes, boots, hats, and warm clothes. Optional: Hardhat.
5.A liability release form from the City of Superior and other Organizations will need to be signed and handed into the staff before anyone can start working on the their tasks.
6. Please Note: Some tools will be provided. Such as, paint scrapers, brushes, wiping rags, cleaners. For your own safety, please bring your own respirator masks! We highly recommend and most often require a full respirator mask with separate filters. Please purchase your own for sanitary and safety reasons.
To speed up the process, please click on both link buttons below to print, read, agree, sign the Liability Release Form and bring with you to hand into the City Staff. Please complete both Forms! This will be required before entering the work areas of the Meteor.
There will also be forms at the sign in table just inside the Meteor entrance.
The last Twenty years we put this Project together, we had a great turn out. We broke a record of 100 volunteers in 2014. We have an average of 50 plus volunteers for this event annually! The City of Superior WI is very appreciative with the efforts of all the volunteers and organizations that helped make this project successful! Let’s try making this event another successful year!
Please Note: The below task list is tentative and will be updated two weeks before the project. Currently you are viewing a previous year task list.
Multiple meetings and discussions are underway throughout the planning period to establish a comprehensive task list. Please check back from time to time to see the most current task list.
S.S. Meteor Preservation Project Work Weekend 2026
Please Note: This is the Task List From the 2024 Project. The 2025 project was canceled because of a concern about a crack that developed in the expansion deck over the 2024/2025 winter. No project or volunteer effort occurred!!
This list will give you an idea as to the tasks that were listed to perform during the project. Some items were not started, some were completed and others were started and still need completion
The 2026 List will be upload soon!
The task list will be re-written to maximize priorities, the time we have for the project, and the amount of volunteers participating
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Welding |
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Cement |
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Scraping |
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Painting |
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What |
Where |
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Supplies Needed |
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Who |
What |
Where |
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Supplies Needed |
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Who |
What |
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When |
Supplies Needed |
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Who |
What |
Where |
When |
Supplies Needed |
| welder |
Pilothouse roof |
Port forward corner |
#1 priority |
Need more checks to find hole(s)? |
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3rd mate quarters |
Against outer bulkhead |
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Non lead paint |
Gift Shop |
Day 1 |
Scrapers, masks |
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Shipwreck exhibit area, viewing area |
After scraping |
Special paint from Jacob? |
| welder |
Forward turret/main deck, inside |
behind manhole into Foc's'le |
#1 priority, before scraping/painting |
Metal plating |
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between shipstore and showers under aft turret |
determine plan for floor |
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Should this be a wooden flat platform or added cement? |
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Non lead paint |
Projection Room |
Day 1 |
Scrapers, masks |
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Curved parts of cargo hold |
After scraping |
Special blue paint from jacob? |
| welder |
Officers mess |
Port forward corner near ventilator tube |
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Metal plating |
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Non lead paint |
Exhibit Rooms |
Day 2 |
Scrapers, masks |
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Ceiling by Officer's living quarters |
After scraping |
paint from jacob |
| welder |
Renew plating on under quarters |
Underside of quarters on starboard deck |
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Metal plating |
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Non lead paint |
Galley |
Day 2 |
Scrapers, masks |
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"Floor" of the upper outdoor deck |
After pressure washing |
Outdoor paint |
| welder |
Be sure stairs and rails are safe for transit |
Exterior starboard stair from pilothouse down to main deck |
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Non lead paint |
Crew Quarters |
Day 2 |
Scrapers, masks |
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Gift Shop Space |
Repaint white |
regular paint |
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Under aft superstructure |
Exterior Walkway Ceiling—On the Port side, aft of the pump room door, before the porthole, the ceiling has a rotting plate that needs fixing. |
#2 priority |
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Lower pump room water holes |
Determine if possible to allow water to drain into boiler room |
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Ventilators |
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Cleaning |
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Miscellaneous |
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Supplies Needed |
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Supplies Needed |
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Supplies Needed |
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repainting and caulking |
Upper deck |
After pressure washing |
outdoor caulk, red and yellow paint, may need to check wood for replacement needs |
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Display Cases |
Exhibit Rooms |
Any |
Windex, microfiber cloths, duster long enough for height of displays |
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Internal |
Fix dumbwaiter |
Boat deck and aft of engine |
Anytime weather is good |
Tools to open, determine how to turn cable to adjust carriage |
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Portholes |
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Any |
Windex, cloths |
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volunteers/staff |
Prop out quarters, messes, galley |
Throughout |
After painting is complete in quarters |
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Sinks |
Bathrooms and all quarters |
Any |
Cleaner/water, cloths |
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staff/volunteers |
Pigeon patrol |
Throughout- smokestack, portholes with scoops, lifeboats, lifeboat davits, starboard under superstructure |
Anytime |
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Pressure Washing |
Main deck, boat deck |
Any |
Bring pressure washer from FL |
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Staff |
Scuppers- check that all are very tight, some under lifeboats |
Boat deck |
After powerwashing |
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Vacuum up paint scrapes |
Each day/after each room has been scraped |
after scraping |
shopvac from Fairlawn |
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Staff |
Tighten all portholes |
Throughout |
Anytime |
Dara has a few long screwdrivers set aside for this, but must be completed carefully |
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Staff |
Gather and move small artifacts to safe location |
Dara has a few tasks that need progress for artifact safety |
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Please Note: Any cargo holds and other areas that need cleanup, will not take place without City Personnel Present!!
*If you are a leader of a task during the project work weekend and, you were assigned to specific group, please let a representative of the City of Superior know who you are, what you were assigned to and if you need any special equipment or supplies to complete your assigned job.
The task list for the current project is listed above, please take a moment to look through it to see what you would like to participate in. The task list will continue to change as the project draws near and throughout the project week. Please check back to this list from time to time.
Please Note:
Masks/respirators are highly recommended and required for any sanding dust or painting tasks - Although most of the time you will be required to wear a respirator for your safety during the work weekend inside the Meteor for most working tasks, especially while painting. Please be aware of your environment and if you need to step out for a breath of fresh air, please do so as many times as you need.
Itinerary:
Monday: 8:30 - 4:00 PM - Start of the Project - Most of the City officials will be there to start setting up and organizing. Prepping the tour route (Main objective)
Tuesday: 8:30 - 4:00 PM - Continue the Project and Task as there are volunteers to implement a task. Prepping any areas that need paint. Start with the Prep, then sanding, cleaning and applying primer in the needed areas. Finalize with painting when approved by the Crew Leader or City Official.
Wednesday: 8:30 - 4:00 PM - Continue with the project and task list as volunteers arrive. Russel and Beth Leitz will be arriving to set up and implement their role in the painting
Thursday: 8:30 PM to 4:00 PM - Continue with the project and task list as volunteers arrive. Prepping the touring route.
Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM - Continue with the project and task list as volunteers arrive and are assigned to certain jobs. Most of the volunteers will be arriving this day and into the weekend.
Friday: 6:30 to 10:00 PM - Meet up at the Barker Island Inn for some social time and Dinner, which will be on your own. Restaurant is open until 10:00 PM.
Friday: 10:00 to 11:00 PM - move to the Barkers Island Inn Bar for more social time and a couple of adult beverages. (Not too many as we are going to be working hard the next day).
Saturday: 7:00 to 8:00 AM - Meet for Breakfast at the Perkins restaurant (Next to the Meteor).
Saturday: 8:30 to 9:15 AM - start set up and work inside the Meteor.
Saturday: 9:15 AM Short briefing on the progress of the project and other
Saturday: 4:00 PM - Final cleanup and the ending of another successful S.S. Meteor Preservation Project Work Week/weekend.
Sunday: TBD - Most will have left as Sunday is not scheduled for any volunteer work, except for special permission to be there from the City of Superior and Staff.
The Meteor ship museum will be open at 8:30 AM every day during the project week. City Officials will be at the Meteor all week and into the weekend to assist with anything needed and any questions you may have. You are welcome to join the project as many days as you like throughout the schedule dates and times. please see above schedule and sign up for the project on both the GLSPS website and the City of Superior. Links above in the description of this project. If you need special access to the Meteor please contact Jess McCullough or other City staff know.
Please be present for the briefing!! Saturday: 9:15 AM - Project Briefing)!! The briefing will take place inside the ship in one of the open areas.
Food:
Breakfast: You will be on your own. Everyone is welcome to join us at the Perkins Restaurant (Near the Meteor) each morning for Breakfast at 7:00 AM.
Lunch: Lunch will be provided by the City of Superior
Dinner: Since the project is only going to be going until Saturday at 4:00 PM, there will not be a Saturday evening Dinner or Buffet. However, Friday night when most volunteers will be joining the project, we will be meeting at the Barkers Island Hotel and Inn inside their restaurant for social time and dinner, which volunteers will be on there own. The Restaurant is open until 10:00 PM. After dinner and socializing you may want to continue socializing and visiting which we can meet in the Barkers Island Bar for beverages. They close at 12:00 Midnight. Please don't stay too long as we have quite a lot of work to be done for those of you that are only participating in the project for one day, (Saturday).
Lodging: Free lodging may be available but very limited. Phil K negotiated a special price for Hotel rooms at Barkers Island Inn / Hotel. They blocked off a few rooms for us and are offering a special price for both the week and weekend. During the week you can expect a price of $89.00 per room night for Wednesday through Thursday. (Regular price during the week is $110.95). On Friday (and Saturday if you stay later) the price per room night is $119.95 per night, as weekends at most hotels are more expensive than during the week. (regular price is $169.95). Barkers Inn Hotel's phone number is, 715-392-7152. Please mention "Meteor Work" to receive the special price.
If you prefer to stay in another Hotel, there are a few smaller and inexpensive Hotels in the local area. Please take a moment to search online to book/reserve a better deal on a hotel room in the area! Please reserve your room ASAP as hotels in the area fill up fast from other activities that are going on in the area.
Please don't forget to register for the project on both this website and through the City of Superior using the above link buttons. We need for you to confirm your attendance ASAP!
Thank you very much for your time.
Hope to see you there.
Phil Kerber
President - Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society
S.S. Meteor Preservation Project Chairperson
president@glsps.org
612-720-2825
Jess McCullough PH.d.
Director - Division of Historic Properties
mcculloughj@superiorwi.gov
Jordan Stish
Manager of the Museums
manager@superiorpublicmuseums.org
715-394-5712