Cruisin' the Inland Seas

"North American" Loaded with Passengers
Charles E. Frohman Collection

Until only very  recently, the "cruise industry" has flourished. It was possible to book a cruise to any destination in the world - the Mediterranean, Chile, Panama Canal, or Iceland. Even here in the United States, cruising the Mississippi and the Great Lakes has once again become popular. 

But one hundred years ago, most vacationers dreamed of visiting Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island, and Montreal. Indeed, cruising the Great Lakes was a popular past time in the first half of the 20th century.  In 1913, the first ship built anywhere in the world exclusively for cruising was laid down in Ecorse, Michigan. The "North American" was steel hulled, more than 250 feet in length, and carried as many as 500 passengers.

Balcony on the interior of the "North American"
Charles E. Frohman Collection

Owned and operated by the Chicago Duluth Georgian Bay Transit Line, the "North American" offered vacationers week long trips between Detroit and Duluth and Detroit and Montreal. Sailing 2,200 miles, she made stops at Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island, Buffalo, Sarnia and Niagara Falls. 

Much like today, passengers enjoyed fine dining, dancing, entertainment, and sight-seeing at scenic ports-of-call. She became known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes." So popular were these cruises. that the company was unable to accommodate the numbers of vacationers, honeymooners, and European tourists.  The following year, the company added a second vessel. For the next fifty years, the "North American" and her sister ship plied the waters of the Great Lakes. Even during the Depression, the demand remained strong.

"North American" Cruise Guide
Charles E. Frohman Collection

So - whatever happened to the "North American"? Although she had undergone a total upgrade that featured all of the modern conveniences, times began to change. Interest waned. With more discretionary income, vacationers sought new destinations. Heavy industrialization and pollution took their toll. The Great Lakes and her ports had lost much of their former luster.

"North American" on the Detroit River
Charles E. Frohman Collection

The "North American" was sold to the Canadian Holiday Company in 1963 for cross-lake service between Port Dover, Ontario and Erie, Pennsylvania. But even that run proved to be a losing proposition. The following year, the "Queen of the Great Lakes," the scene of  fun, relaxation, and so many good times for tens of thousands was finally retired. Sold and resold in several shaky deals, the "North American" finally found a new owner after four long years. The Seafarers International Union bought her hoping to give her a new life as a training ship.

"North American"  Heading into Port
Charles E. Frohman Collection

Under tow by the tug "Michael McAllister," the great, old cruise ship left her port in Erie, heading for Newport News for a total overhaul. A short time after entering the Atlantic, the "North American" faced the first swells of an approaching hurricane. While the seas were only moderate, they proved too much for the old Great Lakes queen.She  quickly sank from sight. 

"North American" at Georgian Bay
Charles E. Frohman Collection

But that was not the last she was ever heard from. During the summer of 2006, Quest Marine research team found her in 250 feet of water close to the continental shelf some 140 miles off Nantucket. The news of her discovery evoked fond memories for those who had sailed on the "Queen of the Great Lakes" in her heyday.  

You can see a selection Great lakes Cruise and Travel Guides that are part of the Hayes Presidential's Charles E. Frohman Collection 

A version of this post was published in Lifestyles 2000