The David and Goliath of the Lakes

Mission Point is located on the Saint Mary's River south of Sault Saint Marie. It is a popular spot for boat watching as boats approach and leave the... more

by Gales Of November

Title

The David and Goliath of the Lakes

Artist

Gales Of November

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Mission Point is located on the Saint Mary's River south of Sault Saint Marie. It is a popular spot for boat watching as boats approach and leave the Soo Locks. There is a small restaurant at the north end and the Sugar Island Ferry leaves from there too.

The William J. De Lancey was launched in 1981 for the Interlake Steamship Company and named in honor of the Chairman of Republic Steel. She was built to service Rebublic's steel mills.

She was the last of the 1,000 footers built, and at 1,013 feet, the largest. Her accommodations are luxurious and she has earned the title 'Queen of the Lakes.' She has retained it longer than any other ship.

When the contract with Republic ended in 1990 she was renamed the Paul R. Tregurtha in honor of the the CEO of Interlake Steamship Company.

Her dimensions of 1,013 feet in length, beam of 105 feet and a depth of 56 feet give her a cargo capacity of 68,000 tons. This as allowed her to set many records, including the most cargo through the Soo Locks in 2001 when she transported over 3 million tons of material.

The Sugar Islander II is a ferry operated by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority. She carries cars, trucks and passengers across the Saint Mary's River between Mission Point and Sugar Island.

Sugar Island covers about 49 square miles and has a population of around 700 people. The ferry is their sole means of connecting with the mainland.

Here, the Sugar Islander II has left Mission Point after waiting for the Paul R. Tregurtha to pass.

Uploaded

February 3rd, 2014