Aquarama (ship)
Encyclopedia
The SS Aquarama, formally known as the SS Marine Star, was a World War II
troop ship for the United States Navy
. In 1952, it was converted into the largest passenger ship ever to operate in the Great Lakes
.
as a United States Maritime Commission C4-S-B5 type of ship. Designed as a transoceanic troop carrier, the ship made one trip across the Atlantic
before combat ceased.
The ship remained unused for a few years until it was bought in 1952 by the Sand Products Company of Detroit. After being purchased the ship was towed to Muskegon, Michigan
where it was converted into a commercial cruise ship
. The entire process took approximately two years to complete and cost nearly $8 million dollars. The president of the Sand Products Company at the time, Max Mckee, wanted the Aquarama to be an ocean liner for the Great Lakes.
The Aquarama began operation in 1956 by touring various Great Lakes ports. In 1957 the Michigan-Ohio Navigation Company, began service from Detroit to Cleveland carrying automobiles and passengers. Once in service the ship was able to transport its passengers, as well as their automobiles, from Detroit to Cleveland in under six hours.
Although the ship was immensely popular it never generated enough revenue to be self-supporting; On September 4, 1962 the ship made its last trip before being towed to Muskegon. Operating the ship from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee as a replacement for the older Milwaukee Clipper was proposed, but $700,000 for dredging so the Aquarama could be accommodated in Milaukee harbor was needed. As a result the ship sat idle until 1987 when it was sold to the North Shore Farming Company for around $3 million dollars.
The Aquarama was briefly docked at Sarnia
, then Windsor
before returning to its original name of Marine Star and moving under tow to Buffalo. On August 3, 1995 the Marine Star berthed at the Cargill Pool Elevator where it stayed until it was towed overseas to Aliaga, Turkey for scrap September 2007.
, the latest in radar, and closed circuit television for viewing the stern
.
, or other performances. For those traveling with their families there were even baby-sitting services available. For food people had the choice of four different types of restaurants that varied in style and price. Along with the restaurants there was a main cafeteria that was able to fit nearly 300 people.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
troop ship for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. In 1952, it was converted into the largest passenger ship ever to operate in the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
.
Ship History
Originally named the Marine Star, the Aquarama was built in 1945 in Chester, PennsylvaniaChester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
as a United States Maritime Commission C4-S-B5 type of ship. Designed as a transoceanic troop carrier, the ship made one trip across the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
before combat ceased.
The ship remained unused for a few years until it was bought in 1952 by the Sand Products Company of Detroit. After being purchased the ship was towed to Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
where it was converted into a commercial cruise ship
Cruise ship
A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way...
. The entire process took approximately two years to complete and cost nearly $8 million dollars. The president of the Sand Products Company at the time, Max Mckee, wanted the Aquarama to be an ocean liner for the Great Lakes.
The Aquarama began operation in 1956 by touring various Great Lakes ports. In 1957 the Michigan-Ohio Navigation Company, began service from Detroit to Cleveland carrying automobiles and passengers. Once in service the ship was able to transport its passengers, as well as their automobiles, from Detroit to Cleveland in under six hours.
Although the ship was immensely popular it never generated enough revenue to be self-supporting; On September 4, 1962 the ship made its last trip before being towed to Muskegon. Operating the ship from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee as a replacement for the older Milwaukee Clipper was proposed, but $700,000 for dredging so the Aquarama could be accommodated in Milaukee harbor was needed. As a result the ship sat idle until 1987 when it was sold to the North Shore Farming Company for around $3 million dollars.
The Aquarama was briefly docked at Sarnia
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
, then Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
before returning to its original name of Marine Star and moving under tow to Buffalo. On August 3, 1995 the Marine Star berthed at the Cargill Pool Elevator where it stayed until it was towed overseas to Aliaga, Turkey for scrap September 2007.
Capacity and Safety
As a cruise liner the Aquarama was able to carry 2,500 passengers and 160 automobiles. Some of the ship's safety features included its all-steel construction , the smoke detection system, four 135-passenger lifeboatsLifeboat (shipboard)
A lifeboat is a small, rigid or inflatable watercraft carried for emergency evacuation in the event of a disaster aboard ship. In the military, a lifeboat may be referred to as a whaleboat, dinghy, or gig. The ship's tenders of cruise ships often double as lifeboats. Recreational sailors sometimes...
, the latest in radar, and closed circuit television for viewing the stern
Stern
The stern is the rear or aft-most part of a ship or boat, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail. The stern lies opposite of the bow, the foremost part of a ship. Originally, the term only referred to the aft port section...
.
Entertainment
On the ship there were numerous sources of entertainment for the passengers. Among many other things there was a "carnival room" that had a gift shop, games, and a photo booth. Two television theaters were available to be used for conferences or special programs. Along with the theaters the ship contained two dance floors that were accompanied by a stage for an orchestraOrchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, or other performances. For those traveling with their families there were even baby-sitting services available. For food people had the choice of four different types of restaurants that varied in style and price. Along with the restaurants there was a main cafeteria that was able to fit nearly 300 people.