We had a wonderful turnout for our first official fundraiser to celebrate the beginning of the rebirth of Columbia. On Saturday, September 19, nearly 100 residents with fond memories of the beloved vessel stepped aboard the MV Friendship for a cruise along the Detroit River to recreate Columbia’s former route. Captain Art Herrala was onboard to share 43 seasons of stories from his days as a 19-year-old deckhand to full captain. Captain Herrala is one of the many lucky passengers who found their true love thanks to Columbia. Also among the attendees were former SS Columbia crewmember Captain Sam Buchanan, who serves as MV Friendship’s skipper and who also kindly keeps watch over the Columbia as volunteer shipkeeper, and several other former crewmembers and Boblo Island employees. Karen Winkler, Columbia’s undercover security guard during the 1980s, now spearheads the Boblo Island reunions. Here is an excerpt from her account to Boblo alumni:

“It was a beautiful day on the river. We got to see the Ste. Claire and Columbia up close again and than headed up the river to the Ambassador Bridge and back to Wyandotte. I learned a couple of things on Saturday… One being that I don’t know how today’s kids would handle an all-day boat shift on the river. I took my two daughters, and besides being wigged out by the bees checking out their soft drinks, they were initially tortured by the thought that they would have to remain on a boat for three hours. Once the wind was whipping through their hair, and later when the [J.W. Wescott mailboat] delivered pizza to the boat, it was more fun for them, and for me!  Secondly, I’m not sure what was more of a deja vu moment: seeing Brian Pattison not looking a day older than he did in 1989, or coming up to the Clark Street-Boblo Island dock area like it was only yesterday instead of 20 years ago when I had last made that trip? If Brian hadn’t been sitting next to me, I would have expected to see him standing at the dock with his crew waiting to tie up the boat and bring on more concessions. What a wonderful and missed memory!

Thanks to Richard Anderson, Lori Feret and Sam Buchanan for a great day and opportunity! There are many of us hoping that the SS Columbia Project can save our beloved Columbia. There has already been talk about planning a future reunion or field trip to New York and the Hudson River once you bring her back.”

Several guests at the fundraiser shared their memories on camera.

If you have a story to tell about traveling on Columbia or have any photos or memorabilia you would like to share with us, please email caquila@sscolumbia.org

Thanks to everyone who made it possible

On behalf of the SS Columbia Project, many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event such a success: Lori Feret, Gloria Davis, Beryle Hymer in Detroit; and Helen Applebaum, Cynthia Aquila, Francine Catibyan, Nicole Clarke, Ian Danic, Marisa Kefalidis, Justine Mann, Roger Marquis and Laura Vialva in New York.

We are also grateful for the generosity of the following friends and businesses: Portofino Restaurant for its donation toward the cost of the cruise; Jack’s on the River, Polonus, R. P. McMurphys and Sibley Gardens restaurants for donated raffle prizes; Monica Nacianceno of Lil’ Monica’s Bakery for our delicious cakes; the J. W. Westcott Company for pizza delivery service; our film crew, Lisa Hagopian and Eric Harabadian; and Joel Stone, of the Detroit Historic Society and former Columbia D.J., for his Columbia music compilation.

And finally, special thanks to Capts. Sam Buchanan and Art Herrala for their advice and time — and, of course, Richard Anderson for his vision and tireless commitment to Columbia.

SS Columbia Project (SSCP) volunteers spread the word about our vision for SS Columbia at Sunday’s Hudson River Quadricentennial celebration. We were delighted to be part of this special event, which was held at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, N.Y. We were especially excited to meet several people originally from Detroit who shared their memories of Columbia. (We plan to capture their recollections on our web site in the coming months. So stay tuned.)

More than 30 different historical, environmental and nature groups participated in River Fest. Visitors were able to take a walking tour of the Old Croton Aqueduct and learn more about environmental sustainability of the region. Children went on a scavenger hunt and learned to play old folk instruments. And everyone enjoyed the beautiful surroundings while listening to musical performances and sampling local cheese and wine from the farmers’ market.

Among the day’s presentations, SSCP President Richard Anderson gave a talk on the history of steamboat travel and the important role Columbia can play not only in reviving that grand tradition, but in revitalizing an appreciation of the Hudson River Valley. More than 2 million passengers annually traveled the Hudson during the steamboat’s heyday. As the automobile gained momentum, recreational travel on the river began to decline. The last great steamboat Alexander Hamilton was retired in 1971, although Hudson River dayliners continued operations until 1987. Sadly, none of these river icons have survived.

As the oldest surviving passenger steamer in the United States, a restored Columbia will carry on that grand tradition and help revitalize the Hudson River Valley as a historical, cultural and naturally beautiful destination. Columbia has another important connection to the river: She was designed and built by the same team that built the Hudson River steamboats — prominent architect and engineer Frank Kirby and noted artist and designer Louis O. Keil.

“The Hudson has become an unexplored avenue for tourism in recent years,” said Lyndhurst Director Jack Braunlein. “But it has tremendous potential to attract all kinds of visitors. Linking a great historic ship like Columbia with a great historic destination like Lyndhurst — it’s a natural fit.”

The Lyndhurst Estate, one of the country’s finest Gothic Revival mansions, certainly would be a prime destination for a restored Columbia one day. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns the estate, was also instrumental in helping SSCP acquire Columbia. Visitors interested in history and culture can tour the mansion and view a fine collection of decorative arts. Nature-enthusiasts can explore 67-acres of gardens, nature trails and the spectacular beauty of the Hudson. The estate also offers programs and events for adults and children throughout the year.

Thanks to Lyndhurst and Westchester Country for making River Fest possible. Thanks also to everyone who stopped by to learn more about SS Columbia. And welcome to our new friends and supporters. With your help, we can ensure the success of her new mission.