Discovering the Steamer City of Alpena: A Historic Voyage on the Great Lakes

Embark on a nostalgic journey back to the 1890s as we uncover the fascinating story of the Steamer City of Alpena, a luxurious 285-foot, 2,000-horsepower sidewheel paddlewheel that serviced the Great Lakes for decades. Carrying up to 400 passengers and freight along the D&C’s “Coast Line to Mackinaw” run, this magnificent vessel was the epitome of elegance and sophistication, shaping how we perceive Michigan’s tourism and resort areas today.

The Steamer City of Alpena and the City of Mackinac were sister ships conducting service as part of the Detroit and Cleveland line. This sidewheel paddlewheel started service in 1893 and could carry up to 400 passengers and freight.

Steamer City of Alpena

The ship ran the Lake Huron Route for 28 years. In 1921 she was moved to Lake Michigan and renamed the City of Saugatuck. By the late 1930s, the once-proud ship was reduced, being rebuilt as a pulpwood barge hauling pulpwood and other freight. It was owned by several paper companies in its final years of service.  The ship was broken up for scrap in 1957.

D&C – Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company

Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company, often abridged as D&C, was a passenger and freight shipping company on the Great Lakes. It operated a line of 10 ships from 1868 to 1951 and was known for its opulent ships. In 1924 the company built one of the largest steamships in the world. At 538 feet, Greater Detroit was launched on September 15, 1923, primarily sailing overnight from Detroit to Buffalo. It stayed in service until 1950.

The Start of Going up North

 Steamship Traveling on the Great Lakes in the 1880s gave rise to the term “Going Up North”. Before the railroads and automobiles. Travel by steamship has gotten luxurious. Michigan’s tourism and resort areas began to grow because steamships could take a businessman from Chicago or Detroit to join families in northern Michigan Friday afternoon and return him Monday morning rested and refreshed and ready to work.

FAQ on the Steamer, City of Alpena

Final Thought on The Steamer City of Alpena

The Steamer City of Alpena’s rich history serves as a reminder of the golden age of steamship travel on the Great Lakes. With its opulent design and elegant service, this remarkable vessel left an indelible mark on the region’s tourism and transportation landscape. As we reflect on the bygone era of steamships like the City of Alpena, we appreciate the enduring legacy they have left behind, forever engrained in the hearts and minds of those who experienced the allure of “Going Up North.”

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