The International Ship Masters’ Association was founded in 1886 after the First Mate
of the Str. Boston of the Western Transit Company of Buffalo, New York died and a
group of ship Captains raised money to support his widow. After this incident, the
Captains decided to form a benevolent association which provided widows of ship
masters with monetary support of $100 each; later, the amount was raised to $1,000
each.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the ISMA in Milwaukee was organized October 16, 1919.
Eligible members were wives, widows, mothers, daughters and sisters of Shipmasters
in good standing. They met in the lodge rooms of the Chamber of Commerce building on
225 East Michigan Street. It is unclear when the Ladies’ Auxiliary or the ISMA Lodge
in Milwaukee was disbanded; however, it no longer exists today.
