Boblo Island Ferry 1910. - Detroit - TV17.org

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 more at www.tv17.org

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• Boblo
• Island
• Ferry
• Detroit

[Biggie1231]

Wow i can remember stepping on Both of the Boats I can remember the Grey wood Decks to and the wooden Deck chairs and the Music they ust to play onboard Good times

[Marty718]

Remember taking the last Boat Home slow cruise Dance floor packed Disco haha What a great memory

[dmcouturier]

@TigerLeahu my Mom was the supervisor in the concessions in the early 70's.... would be something if you crewed with her... :) please contact me at dmcouturier@yahoo.com.....

[desireeT01]

I enjoyed this video; I was on board the Ste Claire when she was docked in Windsor, Ontario before returning to her berth on the American side. Sad yo see the state she was in, versus the many years ago while she powered herself back and forth to Bob-Lo. It was very interesting to find out the Ste Claire was built around the time of the SS Titanic and is still here for us to enjoy.

[queerfish1]

Detroit used to be a great place to live. Now it's bankrupt,high unemployment, high crime. Sad. Used to be all woods at one time.

[thenegas2008]

man when those bob-lo boats wear in opperation they threw out one mean wake.

[TigerLeahu]

and this is a very cool video of the old girl.

[TigerLeahu]

My first job in the american merchant marine was as a deckhand on the Ste.Claire. I was a medical relief for a guy who had scabies.. I turned over the mattress.. The crew's head didn't have doors on the stalls. .. good old days? I was aboard when Nelson Mandela came to town... LOL what mess of garbage in her wake during the "party"... bloody yanks.

[OAGGBU555]

It was a great island for the faggots... they would grab us as young boys and then tell us they wanted to show us the rides.... I found that the whole thing was spooky.... I will never forget the older captain of one of the boats pulling out his member and showing me how he made it show off special icing.... that is how he put it... no good memories for me or the other guys that were told to be quiet about this or we would get in trouble. That is Detroit for you....

[sweetcupcake34]

god i miss this place i was only a kid a toddler, that's when i went on my 1st roller coaster it was fun, then the next time i got scared, and i remember the pirate ship, dang that ship was huge, lol i cried on that ride.