Boblo Boats in Sad Shape

How did we let this happen?

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Boblo
• Bob-Lo
• Columbia
• Ste
• Claire
• boblo
• bob-lo

[cptboblo]

A nonprofit group is making tremendous progress on the Columbia. They are planning on getting it stable enough to be towed to New York where the restoration will be completed. Once the restoration is complete they plan on sailing the Columbia up and down the Hudson River.

We were also making great progress on the Ste. Claire’s restoration saving the owner millions in labor and raising thousands at trade shows with souvenir sales and donations.

[cptboblo]

However, work stopped on the Ste. Claire last year when the owner sent a nasty message to the volunteers telling them that all trade shows were cancelled and that the boat was off limits to us. He also said that all the volunteers could “Get F**ked!” No one has heard from him since nor seen anything from the money raised go back into the ship.

[cptboblo]

The Columbia was launched in 1902 and the Ste. Claire was launched in 1910. Both ships have steel hulls and were supposed to be ocean-going tugboats but then it was decided to make them into passenger ships. No one ever thought these ships would become as popular as they did. The ships had several destinations in the beginning but their longest and most remembered destination was to Boblo Island amusement park. The hour and a half cruise to Boblo continued until the season ended in 1991.

[cptboblo]

Sadly they aren't trying to bring back the island but we have been restoring the Ste. Claire for over 3 years. The Ste. Claire will be staying in Detroit while the Columbia, once stable, will be headed for New York to sail on the Hudson River. It's been great working on the Ste. Claire, brings back all the memories of when I worked on the Columbia in 1981 & 1982. What a great time!!!!!!!!

[Biggie1231]

Wow seeing these Old Boats Brings back Alot of Memories . I remember the Music Playing and the old Gray decks and Danceing to the Music , I remember they Had a Arcade on the one Level of the Boats and getting to look down to were the Engine was looking at all the Parts Moveing like that in the Engine Room . What kinda Engine was that expantion steamer??

[timwmartin]

The same greed heads who created the financial mess on Wall Street turned Boblo Island into a gated community back in the 90's. Unfortunately, the development went bust and the island went into receivership a few years ago.

[MrMal1980]

I remember that I was just a little kid when I first went to Boblo back in the 80's and I hate that it couldn't stay open for the newer generations to be able to enjoy all the fun and love that place had. Kinda makes me sad to see these photos, brings back SOOOOO many memories.

[AGDemo]

@cptboblo wth!?!?

[TheCaretaker1964]

just like detroit let a detroit jewell go to hell and let a new yorker rubb our nose in it

[mmichaelc]

@DarrenNemeth For a start the 2 ships have sat here for going on 20 years at least the people that own the Columbia are going to restore it and run her on the hudson river. As for the Ste Claire who know what the "they are going to do with it.

[JeffHendrie]

@cptboblo By the way, Nice job getting these old "dirt rags" restored. :) Finally somthing of Detroit's history is ACTUALLY RESTORED, not destroied, like J.L. Hudsons, and most of the older hotels and other buildings.

[JeffHendrie]

@cptboblo That person should either be arrested, or, give the ship to you people. Why take the Columbia to the Hudson River anyways?

[DarrenNemeth]

Nice boat. What type of hull does it have??

What years were the Boblo ships made? I see a lot of checked plywood with peeling white paint. Compared to two yachts I am working on, these look like relatively easy, large scale overhaul projects.