Comments on: Aquarama scrapping in hi-res

By: Mike Canfield

Mike Canfield — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:35:29 +0000

My father, Mike Canfield, was a bartender on the Aquarama for the summer of 1959. We are sitting around this evening, listening to stories. Although he was a bartender, he says he was coaxed into singing with one of the barmaids -Jeanie(?).

By: Evan Quick

Evan Quick — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:02:54 +0000

Always in our hearts Aquarama !

By: james kurant

james kurant — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:03:51 +0000

I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, the History of that Beautiful Ship is so sad. She was towed up the Chicago waterway after having her entire upper works removed in Mississippi, to Muskegon, where Industrialist Max McKee and his brother invested over $8 million dollars. Her original duty was to replace the Aging SS Milwaukee Clipper in the run across Lake Michigan from Musk. to Milwaukee, but talks broke down and this was cancelled when Milwaukee refused to pay $500,000 to dredge thier channel to handle her very deep draft. The Cleveland to Detroit route was chosen. Long story short, I used to sit for hours looking up at her wishing she could sail again. When she finally did, it was being towed out the Muskegon channel and into a hot August sunset, but not before I had the Great opportunity of touring her Grandiure. I Loved that ship, and she is only a Nice Memory to share with my Grandchildren. Bon-Voyage Lovely Lady!

By: snap-happy1

snap-happy1 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:19:58 +0000

It is truly sad to look at those photos – even in her dilapidated condition, she was graceful and elegant. She was docked at Sarnia, ON for quite a while and I remember going down to the docks to see her. For those interested, I have scanned the entire Aquarama Inaugural Cruise booklet, along with some photos, to my Flickr.com site – look them up!

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:54:31 +0000

Yes, it was towed to Turkey.

By: Ted R

Ted R — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:51:01 +0000

I guess I am missing something.
How would this boat get to Turkey to be salvaged in as bad of shape as it was.
Was it towed? I was aboard this boat in Detroit when it was called the Aquarama.
The day I was on it it had difficulty turning around and struck the wall of the river in Windsor.
I would see the Aquarama frequently going up and down the Detroit River as a kid.

By: Jonathon

Jonathon — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:59:16 +0000

I can hardly take watching this. I know its just a hunk of metal, but it represents such an attachment of emotions it is difficult to take. It is hard to see soemthing like this die:(

Thank you Derek for keeping up with this. IT is truly a service.

By: Mike Manbeck

Mike Manbeck — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:52:07 +0000

It is sad to see her being scraped.As a young boy I had two day trips her to Detroit and back to Cleveland…in the 50′s Goodbye to an old friend…..Mike…..

By: Mike Ralph

Mike Ralph — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:26:17 +0000

How sad… Sailed on her in 1956 out of Detroit. Many happy memories. Unfortunately – that’s all that remains of her!
Mike SunViking2

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:22:21 +0000

It was scrapped in Aliaga.

By: Lon Morgan

Lon Morgan — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:08:36 +0000

I was aboard the Aquarama when she was docked in Sarnia Canada years ago. I take pics of lake freighters and am updating my database. Sad to see this beautiful vessel being scrapped. Could someone tell me where she is being scrapped. I see reference to Turkey. Is this in Aliaga by chance. Thanks in advance.

By: C. Byrd

C. Byrd — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:36:40 +0000

Very cool…small world nowadays…