Statement of Significance (as of designation - April 11, 1989):
The oldest passenger steamship (1905) on the Great Lakes, she was first known as JUNIATA; in 1940, new rules of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation caused her to undergo substantial rebuilding. The rebuilt vessel took on the new name MILWAUKEE CLIPPER as well as a new appearance. Many of the design elements introduced are still being included in modern ocean-going passenger ships. The quadruple-expansion steam engines installed in 1905 are the only known surviving examples of this important engine type.

Condition:
The ship is in good shape due to the continuous efforts of volunteers that have worked on the ship for the last nine years. The major threat facing the NHL is that the dock were the ship is moored is about to end its lease with the NHL. The dock owner has given verbal notification that the ship will be evicted by the end of 2007 or before.

The Milwaukee Clipper Preservation group has been negotiating at 25 year (renewable) lease with the City of Muskegon. An agreement has been reached and the lease document should be signed in August 2006 but the proposed site requires $500,000 to $ 1 million in improvements before the NHL can be moved to its new city-owned dock site. The projected cost is for 400 feet of steel seawall and dredging, site work, and for utilities. The MCPI does not currently have the funds to support the work and only has 24 months to locate funds and complete the seawall before losing the lease with the City. Certain cities in other Great Lakes States have made inquiries of acquiring the Clipper, which would take the NHL out of Michigan. If any of the offers are accepted, the Clipper could be used for commercial purposes and not serve the historical preservation interests of the public.