Boblo Boat SS Columbia

[MaxSpeed]

Here is our SS Columbia in current condition. go to sscolumbia.org to donate money for saving this Historic Icon and find out more about it.

[CLAUDE G]

Richard Anderson is part of a group trying to restore the ship. So it can be used as a heritage tour boat on the Hudson River. The group bought the boat for a dollar. It’s going to cost $13 million US to bring back its charm.

I understand the historical significance here, but why would I donate money to something that is intended to be removed from the Detroit area?

Why should I make a donation that would benifit the citizens of New York.

It should be restored and kept here in the Detroit area.

[townonenorth]

I understand the historical significance here, but why would I donate money to something that is intended to be removed from the Detroit area?

Why should I make a donation that would benifit the citizens of New York.

It should be restored and kept here in the Detroit area.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Absolutely, Claude. There's no point in the region paying to restore something that will never be seen again by regular Detroiters, is there? If that were the case,we'd be lining up to pay for the restoration of the St. Claire, which is staying here.

Speaking of the St. Claire, I see that Ron Katoo has decided to tear down the top wooden decks of the boat, and rebuild in steel. Finally, getting somewhere with a realistic plan, but whether or not it actually gets done is another matter altogether. You could see on the video above, the sway in the decks at the rear of the boat. At least the teardown will allow a structural steel build that is stable, but maybe not historically accurate.

The website Ron runs mentioned that in order to be a historical boat, they are worried about how much wood has to be kept in order for that to be done. I think that ship has sailed, for the St. Claire.

[Warrenite84]

While it would be great if it could stay in the area, I'm not going to prefer scrapping the boat over someone getting the opportunity to enjoy it like we did.
What saddens me is the Metro area's lack of a preservation ethic and shows a disregard for the things our parents and grandparents considered beautiful and useful.

While we cannot and should not hold onto everything built in previous generations, some things that connect us to our past should.
I believe Chicago and New York City have found that balance, while we have nearly cast it all away. Although, we could be like other Western cities, devoid of most of their architectural heritage.

[msamslex]

This was just so sad to see the SS Columbia in this sorry state. I stopped watching after 5 minutes. I had so much fun at Boblo when I was a kid. Our family would decide to go at a moments notice. We'd get to the dock with minutes to spare for one of the morning sailings.

[swan]

This was just so sad to see the SS Columbia in this sorry state. I stopped watching after 5 minutes. I had so much fun at Boblo when I was a kid. Our family would decide to go at a moments notice. We'd get to the dock with minutes to spare for one of the morning sailings.

Picture from 1974.

Attachment 14573

[msamslex]

Swan,

Attachment came up as invalid when I clicked on it. Couldn't see the picture.

[mikefmich]

8 generations of my family in Detroit, only the earliest & the latest one didn't step foot on those boats.

However if it's going to NY, let them pay for it.

[swan]

Swan,

Attachment came up as invalid when I clicked on it. Couldn't see the picture.

I'll try this picture again from 1974.

[Jimaz]

Yep, plaid pants says 1974. LOL!

Cute photo.

[msamslex]

Cute pic Swan, thanks.

[jtf1972]

The above pic was taken during my time on Columbia in an official capacity.

While I have my reservations regarding the eventual removal of the Columbia from these waters, this region has proven time and again an impressive ability to not give a damn. The Columbia is no exception. The SS Columbia Project is at least working to save this fine vessel.

It is my hope that one day Columbia may again grace this straight. The SS Columbia Project WILL restore her as close as she can be to original condition. Columbia will be even more beautiful than we even remember! The sad condition she is now in shows some things that were lost... murals in the bathrooms and beautiful blue & mirrored tile surrounding the dance floor, lost to simple coats of paint which were applied time and again.

I look forward to seeing her one day in brilliant condition. I will not knock those who donate money. I have no problem donating my time toward this effort.

Columbia could do a lot worse than being restored for use on the Hudson...

Ste. Claire has been stripped to nearly bare-bones, under the premise of rebuilding her as a modern ship. She has sat in this condition for some time now & who knows if she'll ever be "rebuilt" to whatever specifications are envisioned.



A great deal of stabilization has already taken place on Columbia. Still, there are areas which show how quickly we could be talking about her in the past tense.



You can whine about the relocation of Columbia all you want. It doesn't change the fact that it is taking an out of state interest to save her. We haven't done a damn thing.

I completely understand the reluctance to simply toss money at something, as my own financial situation is not well. There is typically a fundraising cruise every year... Last year's flier is posted on the site. It's not expensive, the money goes to help something you might have cared about, and believe it or not you get a nice afternoon on the water. Imagine that!

[mikefmich]

You seem to take some offense, I'm not sure any offense was intended.

I could be a billionaire....and if I was, I'd likely pay the bill to do this if done historically properly.....and of course the boat stays where it sailed for decades.

That in no way decries your attempts, I applaud anyone for doing so. I get to spend my bucks as I see fit, as anyone should.

Good luck with it....

[mallory]

I think more people would take this seriously if the original videographer would work on the open credit linguistics and spelling [["truly" instead of "trully").

Watching this brought back some great memories of working on board both of these fine ships. I was a DJ on the boats during the summer of '84. Sometimes we would sail down to the island, back to Detroit and then down again with another load of passengers. Other times, it was one trip and then just park at the island. Unfortunately we were not allowed to go ashore and partake, but I did get a great tan that year. I remember this cheesy taped intro that we had to play once the boat left the dock, with my bosses horrible voice over telling people, "no running on the boat, no jumping, and please, no chairs on the dancefloor," all set to the disco version of "The Love Boat" theme. After about two weeks, I never played it again. I wish the videographer would have gotten a closer shot of the DJ booth.

Regarding the discussion of whether to contribute or not, I'm leaning on the side of mikefmich above. I just can't see donating to a project that I won't benefit from. If either of these fine ships were brought back to the original glory, and would sail the local waters as before, I'd be on board [[no pun intended) with fund raising efforts.

One final thought, am I the only one that is kind of scared by how much access the videographer got to this ship without any issue? Judging by the quality, it looks to be another "ruin" video to me, and if he/she could do it, what is stopping others?

[jtf1972]

You seem to take some offense, I'm not sure any offense was intended.

I take offense at the neglect a great many things have suffered, and the attitude that nothing should be done.

Perhaps my taking offense may be a bit hasty at times, but I get so sick of people saying that things shouldn't be saved for whatever reason. There is so much that is beautiful here with such great potential, yet so many people just drive by at 80 mph never noticing things until they look online... then it's simply something to complain about to them.

One final thought, am I the only one that is kind of scared by how much access the videographer got to this ship without any issue? Judging by the quality, it looks to be another "ruin" video to me, and if he/she could do it, what is stopping others?

I can't speak for Ste Claire, but Columbia is buttoned up pretty tight. She's got fencing around the first deck, is locked, and you have to move a pretty heavy gangplank to even get on board [[then deal with the lock.)

I suppose where there's a will there's a way, but it's not like you can just walk up & jump aboard. [[I wasn't thrilled with the video either, but didn't say anything about it being ruin porn-ish.)

US Steel security also keeps an eye on them, as even when you are there officially all it takes is two people looking at each other and saying "You called security, right? I thought you did!" and you have a little explaining to do!

[A. Seiferlein]

I just can't see donating to a project that I won't benefit from.

I find this sentiment - shared by many in this region - sad. If it doesn't affect "me" then it is not worth supporting. This is why so much of our architectural and cultural history is GONE.
On the other hand- I, too, am short of cash these days, and cannot afford to donate to every deserving cause, much as I would like to. I wish the restoration project of the Colombia well and hope to see a picture of the finished job as she sails the Hudson someday. My guess is that the Ste. Clare will be gone in a few years, due to lack of funds to finish it.

[Crystal]

Today our family is going on a cruise whose theme is Bob-Lo Island history.

http://miseagrant.umich.edu/discover...oit_river.html

[Detroitej72]

People on here seem to think the Ste. Clare is just going to rot away while the Columbia will be restored and taken to New York. Last I heard, some local doctor owns the Ste. Clare and is raising money to restore it and keep it here.

Furthermore, I'm pretty sure this out of state group has been floating these plans to restore and sail Columbia for a few years now with no restoration to show for.

My point is, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the local efforts and complain that we as a region don't care, while lumping huge praise upon an out of state group for stepping up to the plate.

[townonenorth]

People on here seem to think the Ste. Clare is just going to rot away while the Columbia will be restored and taken to New York. Last I heard, some local doctor owns the Ste. Clare and is raising money to restore it and keep it here.

Furthermore, I'm pretty sure this out of state group has been floating these plans to restore and sail Columbia for a few years now with no restoration to show for.

My point is, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the local efforts and complain that we as a region don't care, while lumping huge praise upon an out of state group for stepping up to the plate.

As I said before, above, the doctor may be on the right track with the steel replacement of the decks. It just doesn't leave much of the ship original. Which seems to matter in some quarters. It could work, or there may be other problems that could pop up...

[John]

Boblo boat Columbia advocate dies; future of restoration project uncertain

New York, N.Y. – Richard Anderson, an outspoken advocate and head of a nonprofit group dedicated to the restoration of the former Boblo boat Columbia, has died. Lori Feret, the main Michigan organizer of an annual fundraising cruise on the Detroit River, said she was made aware of Anderson’s death by an email sent by Barbara Gerson, a volunteer in the organizations New York office.