Edmund Fitzgerald - Gitche Gumee

Date 8-26-05

Tv17.org went to Detroit and video on the tug boat and pulled the boat called the Boblo Island Ferry. We past Zug Island and dock the ferry at River Rouge, Michigan. This is next to where the Fitz ship yard was. The three level boat will be there for two month.
Boblo's original name was Etiowiteedannenti (a name from the Huron Indians who once lived there). The French later occupied the island, calling it BOis Blanc (for the "White Wood" of the trees that stood there). In 1898, the island was opened up as a recreational destination (as a picnic and park area) and visitors began to call it "Boblo Island" - the name was officially adopted in 1929.
Using the ferry "Promise" (1892), on June 18th(?), 1898 the park was opened to the public. It was so well received that the company began to purchase more of the island and install additional facilities which attracted more business so that they eventually saw enough profits to purchase all but a small portion of the rest of the island. (The park would boast a 110-hectare site by the time of its closing.)
In the first decade of the new century, good profits would see the ferry company buy three new 2500-passenger ferries: The "Columbia" (1902), "Britannia" (1906), and The "Ste. Claire" (1910). All had dance floors and beer gardens on separate decks. The "Columbia" and The "Ste. Claire" would provide service to the island park until the 1991 season.
1898 to 1993

See video of Boblo Ferry.

River Rouge Shipbuilding

Great Lakes Engineering Works, 1902 - 1962

Over 300 ships were built of all sizes and types. The total tonnage represented around 1,000,000, this included lake freighters, excursion boats, lake passseger steamers and tugs, which supplied employment for thousands.

Contact Us

TV17.org
810 955-4305
Burton, Michigan 48519
Email Us at help@pwfs.com

© 2004 TV17.org All Rights Reserved.