I've noticed that there isn't any updated information on the Ste. Claire. I know for a fact that a very dedicated group is working all summer to bring this magnificent ship to her former glory. What work has been done so far in the summer of 2010?  From listening to the podcast from a WJR radio interview this past winter, it was stated that the Ste. Claire may be read for the public this month, and that the haunted ship tour will be ready in the fall. Any updates on this? It's understandable in this economic climate, that delays are inevitable. Would love to be back on board for a tour again. To all you very hard working and dedicated volunteers...hats off to you...it is because of you that the dream of her grand and glorious return will be possible!

   COME CELEBRATE THE PROGRESS IN RESTORING THE BOBLO BOAT S. S. COLUMBIA  -- Saturday, July 17, 2010

The S.S. Columbia Project will host their second festive fundraising cruise on the Detroit River on Saturday, July 17th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm aboard the MV Friendship.  The Cruise will also serve as an official reunion event for former Boblo Crew members and employees.

On this festive cruise down the Detroit River, guests are invited to bring memorabilia, share their fond memories and reminisce about America’s oldest surviving passenger steamer as they view the beloved Bob-Lo boats, Columbia and Ste. Claire.

During the cruise, guests will feast on complimentary pizza delivered by the J.W. Westcott II mailboat while toasting the slow steady progress in restoring the Columbia to its former glory.

The Friendship will depart from the dock behind the Portofino Restaurant at 3455 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte.  Boarding begins at 1:00 pm.  Suggested donation is $35 per person.  Donate electronically at www.sscolumbia.org or donate by check to S.S. Columbia Project, c/o Lori Feret, 1574 Westbrook, Madison Heights, MI   48071
 
Additional information about the cruise and the S.S. Columbia can be found at www.sscolumbia.org or by calling (212) 228-3182.

Contact persons:
In New York: Richard Anderson 212 228 3128 / 917 532 4300 by email: randerson@sscolumbia.org

In Michigan: Lori Feret; 248 546 9712 or by email: lighthouselori49@hotmail.com

The nonprofit, S.S. Columbia Project, is committed to restoring and operating the National Historic Landmark Vessel, S.S. Columbia, to educate, enrich and revitalize our culture and communities.  This event was made possible by the enormous generosity of the Detroit community.   

Is there any work taking place on the Ste. Claire yet this year?

Truth be told; I'm putting a feeler out there for what songs to get for the next time I DJ. (I was the dj at the last volunteer party.)

Song names, lists of what was heard on the boat are what I'm after.



-You play Sax, I had no idea. I'm a fan of jazz myself. I'll be sure to bring some out!

Ste. Claire restoration team will have a booth at the Detroit Boat Show.  The show begins on February 13th and runs until the 21st.  Check the boat show website for times and prices.  Hope to see you there!!

Boblo Ste. Claire Restoration Team will have a booth at Shiver on the River, held on Belle Isle in the casino, from 10:00 to 3:00.  Admission and parking is free.  Should be a lot of fun!

 My favorite topic music and the Bob-Lo Boats

And now from the dance floor of the Columbia on a Friday night Moonlight cruise

I remember Joe Vitalie and the band on the Columbia, standing at the bandstand for the entire trip to and from.
Although I was very young at the time "The Shadow of your Smile" with Corky McCormick on tenor sax was the smooth jazz of the day. It so inspired me
that I became a sax player.  For a sample of the style go to the Media Center page and watch the Reunion 2007 video, I used this for the
soundtrack, cool jazz and cruising down the river, oh sweet memories. I can almost hear the waves lapping against the shore.

TENRSAX
Mr. Lee

I've noticed that everyone has a couple of songs that they have memories from while they were on the boat.


I want to know what songs made YOUR day when they came on.

Familiar Stack Colors ?
Why those are Browning Steamship Bob-Lo Company stack colors aren't they ?
This is the Norisle and here is a bit of history from her restoration web site http://www.norisle.com

The S.S. Norisle was the first passenger steamship built in Canada after World War II.  The name "Norisle" is derived from "NOR", a contraction of the northern region of Lake Huron and "ISLE", referring to Manitoulin Island.

Built at the Collingwood Shipyards in 1946, the Norisle, a hand-fired, coal-burning steamship provided regular seasonal passenger ferry services from 1947 to 1974 between Tobermory (on the Bruce Peninsula) and South Baymouth (on Manitoulin Island).  The Norisle, in conjunction with other vessels that sailed the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, played an integral role in the early development of the region.

The Norisle measures 215'9" in length, has beam of 36'3" and a draft of 16 feet.  The ship was designed to carry 200 passengers and up to 50 vehicles - she featured 58 staterooms that provided for overnight accommodations.  Her extremely rare 1,000 HP triple expansion steam engine could establish a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 12 knots.

Hi Lee,

Here is the e-mail I sent out to the group last year regarding the Beattie, the Alcatraz-Islander is indeed the former Beattie!

9/11/2008
Hi Everyone,

In case you are interested, I had been trying to locate the L.R. Beattie to determine where she was.  I finally located the owner who purchased her in 1994, and received this response from him today.  Anyone up for a Boblo field trip to San Francisco?

Karen

RESPONSE: Dear Karen

To fill in some missing pieces of the L.R.Beattie i will explain.

i bought the beattie in September of 1994 and moved it to Burlington, Vermont to operate on Lake Champlain and renamed it the Spirit of Ethan Allen 2.

i made it into a 500 passenger dinner boat. Iin 2002 I moved it to Plattsburgh, NY, renamed it Spirit of Plattsburgh.

I sold it in 2005 and moved it to San Franscico where it now takes people to Alcatraz. it is now called the Islander.

I hope this helps.

Mike

PS: A picture of L.R. Beattie himself hangs on our wall of fame in our office. It was on the boat when I bought it. It shows him on one of the old boats in dress uniform. By the way........the Beattie was a great boat!!!!!!!!!
 
I'll send a note out to our Gilbraltar alumni to see if anyone has any photos, as well as Capt. Art who I'm sure has some in his albulms!