Other Names
- DULUTH 1890
- CITY OF CHEBOYGAN (1909)
A Journey through Maritime History: The CITY OF PORT HURON
Let us embark on a voyage back in time to the late 19th century when the CITY OF PORT HURON, once known as DULUTH, graced the waters with her presence as a charming passenger vessel. Built in 1890 by Cleveland Dry Dock Co., Cleveland, she was an exquisite wooden barge with a length of 98 feet, a beam of 29.9 feet, and a depth of 10 feet.
The Early Days of the Euclid Beach Tubs:
The story of the CITY OF PORT HURON takes us back to the vibrant days of the 1890s when she, along with her twin sister SUPERIOR, served as the beloved Euclid Beach Tubs, ferrying numerous passengers between the docks at the foot of Superior Street and the renowned summer resort, Euclid Beach, located six miles east of the river. Painted in a pristine white with bright red lettering, these pretty little boats won the hearts of the joyous travelers who affectionately dubbed them the Euclid Beach Tubs due to their rounded appearance when viewed from the docks.
Escapades on Lake Superior and Beyond:
Following their tenure on Lake Superior, the DULUTH and SUPERIOR found their way to the Cleveland-Euclid Beach route under new ownership in 1895, enchanting pleasure seekers until 1901. Subsequently, the DULUTH journeyed far to new waters, becoming a ferry along the bay in Escanaba, Michigan, under T.C. Ewing’s ownership.
In 1906, R.L. Boynton of St. Ignace, Michigan, acquired the vessel, rechristening her as the CITY OF CHEBOYGAN under the Island Transportation Company. The ensuing years saw her ferrying passengers between Cheboygan, St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, and Pte. Aux Pins. The CITY OF CHEBOYGAN continued her maritime escapades until she was sold, reconstructed, and emerged anew as the CITY OF PORT HURON on June 27, 1924. This transformation brought her to the Sarnia-Port Huron ferry route at the head of the St. Clair River.
The End of an Era:
Alas, the steadfast wooden tub’s journey eventually met a poignant end in 1939 when the Sarnia-Port Huron ferry route was abandoned due to the completion of a new bridge that connected the two cities. With her days of daily service behind her, the CITY OF PORT HURON lay partly submerged on the Sarnia bank, a relic of maritime history.
As we reflect on the 48-year life of this venerable wooden barge, we are reminded of the legacy of vessels like the CITY OF PORT HURON, which once bridged the gap between cities, carrying passengers and stories across the waters. Let us honor the memory of these maritime gems, which have left an indelible mark on the pages of nautical history.
