Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
Interlochen Public Radio in the US revealed the presence of hundreds of Yemeni sailors living in Michigan and working aboard Great Lakes ships.
In a report published by writer Tyler Thompson, it stated that records of Yemeni sailors working in Michigan date back to the early 20th century.
It explained that a recent story in Bridge Michigan and Great Lakes Now magazine discusses an archiving project of this history at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.
It added: “Throughout the 20th century, millions of workers came from around the world to work in the Great Lakes region, seeking strong industrial jobs.”
It reported: “Currently, it is estimated that 30,000 people of Yemeni origin live in Michigan, and about 700 of them work aboard Great Lakes ships.”
According to the report, Professor Sally Howell of the University of Michigan-Dearborn conducted a research project with her students, recording 22 interviews that detail the hard work of transporting coal and working in ship funnels.
It said: “In the past, many Yemeni Americans worked on Great Lakes ships due to the winter holiday season. When shipping traffic stopped, it allowed them to extend the time to return to Yemen to see their families.”
It believes that some Yemeni sailors acquired skills that enabled them to become navigators, including guiding ships through the Detroit River.
The museum contains an archive of oral history, photos, and videos about life on the frozen Great Lakes.
