The City of Cleveland III – A Technological Marvel of Great Lakes Shipping History
by The City of Cleveland III was the hotshot of its time, equipped with all the latest gadgets and gizmos that made other ships on the Great Lakes look like dinghies. It could fit 5,000 passengers and 1,500 beds, making it the ultimate party boat for summer tourists traveling between Detroit and Cleveland. But even this fancy vessel couldn’t avoid a classic case of “whoopsie daisy.” In 1950, the City of Cleveland III played a little game of bumper boats with the Norwegian freighter Ravnefjell in dense fog on Lake Huron off Harbor Beach, Michigan. Sadly, five folks aboard the ship didn’t survive the accidental game of demolition derby, and the City of Cleveland III was put out to pasture a few years later. Despite its mishap, this ship remains a true OG of Great Lakes history, proving that even with all the bells and whistles, accidents can still happen.