From the October 2, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."
SEPTEMBER 11, 1912: "The season at Carolina Beach, which was one of the most successful in its history, formally closed on Sunday and the Harper line of steamers to this popular resort in a few days will go on their regular Winter schedule.
"With the gallant Capt. Harper still at the helm, Carolina Beach this year was even more popular than ever and the statistics of travel show that during the season 104,300 persons were handled between Wilmington and the beach and the beach and Wilmington."
The river steamer Continental was the primary mode of travel to Carolina Beach. Passengers got off on the east bank of the Cape Fear River and a small train took them to Carolina Beach. There were very few people living at the beach full time.
This was before roads were built to Carolina Beach so by far the fastest way there was via boat.
A Favorite Beach of My Family. --Cooter
Showing posts with label steamers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steamers. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Historic Ship Lost in 1932 Ecorse Fire
This story started with a Shorpy picture from Nov. 3, 2011, photo of the Frank E, Kirby. "Toledo, Ohio, circa 1910. Sidwewheeler Frank R. Kirby at steam landing."
From the Mind of James Donahue Blog.
I'm always interested in stories about less famous ships such as the Dover.
Fire swept a number of Great Lakes vessels laid up for the winter at Ecorse, Michigan, in 1932.
The Dover was one of them, originally named the Frank E. Kirby, a familiar sight on the Great Lakes for 42 years.
Launched in 1890, the steel-hulled sidewheeler was designed for passenger service and named after the 19th century ship architect Frank E. Kirby. The 196-foot long Ashley & Dustin Steamer Line made regular trips from Detroit to Sanduskey, Ohio, with stops at Put-In-Bay, Middle Bass Island and Kelley's Island (three places I am very familiar with).
It was eventually renamed Silver Spray and later the Dover.
While it was the Dover, it was in two fires. The first was February 2, 1929 while laid up next to the steamer Erie. Both were damaged, but rebuilt and restored to service.
The second and final fire destroyed the Dover and several other ships at Ecorse in 1932.
Its remains were scrapped, but engine taken to Greenfield Village for display and it was later scrapped during World War II.
I was unable to find a picture of the ship, however.
Wonder What It Looked Like? Never Mind. Found It. --Cooter
From the Mind of James Donahue Blog.
I'm always interested in stories about less famous ships such as the Dover.
Fire swept a number of Great Lakes vessels laid up for the winter at Ecorse, Michigan, in 1932.
The Dover was one of them, originally named the Frank E. Kirby, a familiar sight on the Great Lakes for 42 years.
Launched in 1890, the steel-hulled sidewheeler was designed for passenger service and named after the 19th century ship architect Frank E. Kirby. The 196-foot long Ashley & Dustin Steamer Line made regular trips from Detroit to Sanduskey, Ohio, with stops at Put-In-Bay, Middle Bass Island and Kelley's Island (three places I am very familiar with).
It was eventually renamed Silver Spray and later the Dover.
While it was the Dover, it was in two fires. The first was February 2, 1929 while laid up next to the steamer Erie. Both were damaged, but rebuilt and restored to service.
The second and final fire destroyed the Dover and several other ships at Ecorse in 1932.
Its remains were scrapped, but engine taken to Greenfield Village for display and it was later scrapped during World War II.
I was unable to find a picture of the ship, however.
Wonder What It Looked Like? Never Mind. Found It. --Cooter
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