Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company: A Journey Through History

The Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company was a significant player in the Great Lakes shipping industry. The company was formed in 1855.

The company's early years were marked by rapid growth, with the construction of new ships and expansion of existing routes. The company's fleet grew to over 100 vessels.

The Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company played a crucial role in the development of the Great Lakes region, facilitating trade and commerce between cities and towns.

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The Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. In 1850, Captain Arthur Edwards launched the Detroit & Cleveland Steamboat Line with two paddle-wheel steamers, the Southerner and the Baltimore.

These early steamships were a vital connection between growing Great Lakes cities, offering overnight service between Detroit and Cleveland. The enterprise was later incorporated in 1868 as the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Company.

The early years of the company were marked by a tragic collision in June 1868, when the steamer Morning Star sank off Lorain, Ohio, resulting in at least 30 lives lost. This accident highlighted the dangers of Great Lakes navigation in that era.

Despite this setback, the company persevered and built a reputation for grit and reliability among passengers. By the 1870s, the company was poised to expand its services, fueled by the growing importance of the Great Lakes as highways of commerce and travel.

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The City of Detroit III was dismantled in 1956, but its legacy lives on in the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in the Detroit River.

The museum acquired the wooden fittings from the Gothic Room aboard the steamer and preserved a part of the large and elegant room as a reminder of the D&C Line's past glory days.

The German HAPAG ship c. Columbus arrived in 1997, bringing with it a new era of overnight passenger ships to the Great Lakes, and marking a significant change from the past.

The Detroit Navigation Company has been a major player in the Great Lakes shipping industry for a long time. Their fleet of ships, including the City of Cleveland II, offers a unique way to travel across the region.

The City of Cleveland II is a remarkable ship, with its engineering and unsinkability making it a safe and reliable choice for passengers. It's also equipped with pure drinking water, a bow rudder, and excellent cuisine, making it a comfortable journey.

The ship's staterooms are beautiful, with the brochure featuring several small photographs showcasing their amenities. You can even enjoy beautiful views while traveling through the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence River.

The route of the D&C lake lines runs through all of the Great Lakes and onto Montreal, making it a great option for those looking to explore the region. The map of the Great Lakes, which folds out at the center of the brochure, gives you a sense of the extensive route.

The City of Cleveland II is just one of the many ships operated by the Detroit Navigation Company, with the City of Detroit III currently under construction. Two panels in the brochure give you an update on this new ship, which promises to be an exciting addition to the fleet.

If you're planning a trip with the Detroit Navigation Company, be sure to check out the list of ticket offices, rail connections, hotels, and side trips in the brochure. It's a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.

The Detroit & Cleveland Steamer at Lexington Dock is a fascinating piece of Michigan's maritime history. This historic photograph captures a steamer docked at Lexington, Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron.

The D&C Navigation Company operated the State of New York, one of the steamers in their fleet, which provided vital transportation between Michigan cities and Great Lakes ports in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These steamers were more than just a mode of transportation - they offered luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and live entertainment for travelers. They even had comfortable cabins for passengers to rest in during their journeys.

The steamers played a crucial role in linking Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, and other Great Lakes ports, making them an essential part of the region's development.

The Great Lakes Floating Palaces of the early 20th century were a marvel of engineering and luxury. These massive ships were built to transport passengers and cargo between Detroit and Cleveland, with some even offering fine dining and entertainment.

The largest of these ships, the SS Steelworker, was over 400 feet long and could carry up to 2,000 passengers. It was a behemoth of the Great Lakes, and its sheer size was a testament to the ingenuity of the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company.

The Floating Palaces were a major draw for tourists and locals alike, offering a unique and luxurious experience on the water. They featured elaborate dining rooms, dance floors, and even swimming pools.

One of the most popular attractions on these ships was the Grand Ballroom, which could accommodate up to 1,000 people for special events. It was a sight to behold, with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and beautiful hardwood floors.

The Floating Palaces were also equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including electric lighting, air conditioning, and even elevators. These modern conveniences made them a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel the Great Lakes.

The SS Steelworker and its sister ships were a staple of the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company's fleet, offering regular service between the two cities. They were a beloved part of the region's history and culture, and their legacy continues to inspire wonder and admiration today.

The Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company had its fair share of trials and tribulations over the years. Despite its grandeur and popularity, the company faced numerous challenges that tested its safety measures.

The unpredictable Great Lakes were a major concern, with the wreck of the Morning Star in 1868 being a stark reminder of the risks involved in maritime travel. The collision that sent the Morning Star to the bottom of Lake Erie was a devastating incident that resulted in dozens of lives lost.

Fire was another constant worry on steamships, with the City of Cleveland III nearly meeting a dire fate when a mysterious blaze gutted her interior during construction in 1907. The ship was rebuilt and went on to have a storied career, but the incident highlighted the importance of safety measures.

The City of Cleveland III also had a tragic end to its life, when it was struck by a Norwegian freighter in 1950. The collision resulted in four fatalities, including a police chief and a former mayor of Benton Harbor. The incident was a bitter irony, given the company's strong safety record.

Despite these challenges, the D&C Line continued to operate and became an integral part of the Great Lakes region's social and economic fabric. Its steamers were a familiar sight on summer nights, and their whistles were a beloved sound.

The legacy of the D&C Line lives on in Michigan lore and maritime history, with many artifacts and archives preserving its story. The ornate wood-paneled Gothic Room from the City of Detroit III is now displayed in the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, giving visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of the past.

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As we wrap up our exploration of the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company, it's clear that their innovative approach to transportation was a game-changer for the region.

Their fleet of steamships, which included the iconic SS Columbia, played a crucial role in the company's success, with the SS Columbia alone carrying over 100,000 passengers in its first year of operation.

The company's commitment to safety was evident in their investment in advanced navigation technology, including the use of lead-lined tanks to prevent boiler explosions.

Their focus on customer service was also noteworthy, with amenities like dining saloons and smoking rooms available to passengers.

The Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company's legacy can still be seen in the many historic buildings and landmarks that remain in the region today, including the old Detroit River Station.

Their impact on the economy of the region was significant, with the company providing jobs and stimulating growth in the local economy.