S.S. MACKINAC ISLANDER
Back in 1942 one of the numerous vessels ferrying passengers between the mainland and Mackinac Island, Michigan was the Arnold Line's S.S. MACKINAC ISLANDER. Built in Marine City, Michigan back in 1921 by S. C. McClouth for the Ohio State Fish and Game Commission it was first named THE OLIVER H. PERRY. The vessel was purchased in 1938 by the Arnold Transit Co and was renamed MACKINAC ISLANDER. It was a rugged vessel which was capable of bucking the ice in the Straits of Mackinac until almost mid-winter. One year it made its final run in February. The following day the ice was so thick that a team of horses crossed from the Island to St. Ignace.
As you can see from the black smoke emerging from the stack, the ISLANDER was a small steamer. It carried a Captain, Mate and a combination engineer and fireman. The latter's wife was cook and served meals aboard to the crew.
A few years after this photo was snapped with my Model A Argus, the vessel was sold and converted to Diesel power. It then became a small freighter used to carry hardwood logs cut on various Great Lakes Islands to a veneer mill. In its latter days the M.V. MACKINAC ISLANDER left the Great Lakes. It went to Alaska where it was used to harvest king crabs.
Is there anyone else, still around who remembers this vessel or who was acquainted with the many Mackinac Island ferries that were powered by steam?
--The Old Timer
