Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
Re: Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
Thanks for that history Mr. Lafferty. I'm slowly compiling a history of vessels used as railroad ferries in North America, and I had no idea the James Y. Lockwood was turned into a showboat, let alone was exported to Europe.
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William Lafferty
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Re: Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
When I retired a year ago I resolved to figure this out. It took some time, but this is what I determined.
Joseph H. Salon, a Skokie resident and an interesting guy for reasons I won't go into, owned the Salon Trucking Company that had a "facility" that faced the lower North Branch of the Chicago River at 600 Kingsbury Street. For whatever reason, he decided to exploit that site, due west of what was then Chicago's entertainment district centered about Rush Street, and bought the 1896 Mississippi sternwheel steam towboat James Y. Lockwood in 1961 and brought it to Chicago. Salon poured $250,000 (in 1961 dollars) to convert it into the "showboat" Sari S, named for his daughter, although it was actually a restaurant with limited entertainment. It docked at Salon's property (which I remember as a kid being strewn with scavenged Mack tractor cabs) next to the Ontario bridge, not the best location, but, frankly, it was rather successful. He sold it in 1970 and it moved to Buffalo, and is now in the Netherlands, but I won't get into that story.
In 1982 the Columbia Yacht Club had outgrown the old Florida and was searching for a new floating clubhouse. The Florida, of course, had replaced the Pere Marquette 4 as their clubhouse, and had been extensively rebuilt following its 1954 fire. When purchased it had already been reduced to its hull by George Benedict, who intended to use it as a barge on Chicago's waterways. The CYC purchased the Canadian ferry Abby (built 1947 at Sorel as the Abgeweit) when that vessel became redundant, then laid up at Pictou, NS, and brought to Chicago in April 1983. While the Abby was reconditioned for its new duty, the Florida remained in service until put up for sale in 1984. The restaurant bug bit Salon again, and he purchased the Florida, now dubbed the Sari S II, and moved it to the old site at the Ontario bridge. Since it operated primarily as a restaurant and clubhouse, the old Florida was well suited to this use. However, it proved not the success that its predecessor had been. Supposedly, Salon sold the vessel within a couple of years, but I find no evidence. Salon died in 1989. It was moved some blocks north beyond Chicago Avenue to the south edge of Goose Island on the west bank of the North Branch Canal and there it sat, and sat, and sat. By the mid-1990s the Sari S II was half-submerged. On 14 August 1992 the Coast Guard (finally) declared it a hazard to navigation, and by 2004 it was completely on the bottom. It's unclear who removed the wreck, but it was gone by 2008. Some reports say the Corps of Engineers "dynamited" the wreck, but my guess is the city's James B. Versluis and a crane barge clammed it out sometime between 2004 and 2008 to clear that channel for the large recreational vessels that moor on the canal's east side. Salon's old trucking facility now houses the Park Place Condominiums. Here is an old Google Map shot of the semi-submerged Florida in 2004 and an earlier view of it in the early 1990s, in the foreground.
Joseph H. Salon, a Skokie resident and an interesting guy for reasons I won't go into, owned the Salon Trucking Company that had a "facility" that faced the lower North Branch of the Chicago River at 600 Kingsbury Street. For whatever reason, he decided to exploit that site, due west of what was then Chicago's entertainment district centered about Rush Street, and bought the 1896 Mississippi sternwheel steam towboat James Y. Lockwood in 1961 and brought it to Chicago. Salon poured $250,000 (in 1961 dollars) to convert it into the "showboat" Sari S, named for his daughter, although it was actually a restaurant with limited entertainment. It docked at Salon's property (which I remember as a kid being strewn with scavenged Mack tractor cabs) next to the Ontario bridge, not the best location, but, frankly, it was rather successful. He sold it in 1970 and it moved to Buffalo, and is now in the Netherlands, but I won't get into that story.
In 1982 the Columbia Yacht Club had outgrown the old Florida and was searching for a new floating clubhouse. The Florida, of course, had replaced the Pere Marquette 4 as their clubhouse, and had been extensively rebuilt following its 1954 fire. When purchased it had already been reduced to its hull by George Benedict, who intended to use it as a barge on Chicago's waterways. The CYC purchased the Canadian ferry Abby (built 1947 at Sorel as the Abgeweit) when that vessel became redundant, then laid up at Pictou, NS, and brought to Chicago in April 1983. While the Abby was reconditioned for its new duty, the Florida remained in service until put up for sale in 1984. The restaurant bug bit Salon again, and he purchased the Florida, now dubbed the Sari S II, and moved it to the old site at the Ontario bridge. Since it operated primarily as a restaurant and clubhouse, the old Florida was well suited to this use. However, it proved not the success that its predecessor had been. Supposedly, Salon sold the vessel within a couple of years, but I find no evidence. Salon died in 1989. It was moved some blocks north beyond Chicago Avenue to the south edge of Goose Island on the west bank of the North Branch Canal and there it sat, and sat, and sat. By the mid-1990s the Sari S II was half-submerged. On 14 August 1992 the Coast Guard (finally) declared it a hazard to navigation, and by 2004 it was completely on the bottom. It's unclear who removed the wreck, but it was gone by 2008. Some reports say the Corps of Engineers "dynamited" the wreck, but my guess is the city's James B. Versluis and a crane barge clammed it out sometime between 2004 and 2008 to clear that channel for the large recreational vessels that moor on the canal's east side. Salon's old trucking facility now houses the Park Place Condominiums. Here is an old Google Map shot of the semi-submerged Florida in 2004 and an earlier view of it in the early 1990s, in the foreground.
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Re: Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
Quoting from the Columbia Yacht Club website:
In 1892, Chicago was rebuilding from its disastrous fire, the world was wildly anticipating the Columbian Exposition, Daniel Burnham was advising city leaders to make no little plans and a group of yachting enthusiast organized what became formally known as Columbia Yacht Club.
Within months, those founding members built their first clubhouse, a one-room shed built atop an 18 by 35-foot barge. More importantly, they set a tone of camaraderie and the foundation for a lively calendar of social activities, racing and cruising for members. Over the next few years, Columbia Yacht Club became so popular that membership outgrew this first facility. By 1898, the Club moved into a second barge measuring 2,700 square feet. With a larger structure, complete with veranda, full galley and bar, the membership feted notable guests such as Sir Thomas Lipton.
It wasn't long before Columbia needed to increase its square footage a second time. In 1902, funds were raised to construct an elaborate, floating two-story structure, complete with a ballroom to accommodate lavish feasts and parties where members danced to the accompaniment of full orchestras. Season after season, members enjoyed racing, cruising and celebrations until 1914 and the onset of World War I. The Club, like the rest of the country, fell on hard times; loyal members left Chicago to join the fight. Sadly, through lack of use and loss of membership, the physical club house was lost.
Despite this misfortune, Columbia Yacht Club members continued to gather together. They chose the Aviator's Club on North Clark Street, where they hosted social events and made plans for a new Club Ship. Ultimately, the membership purchased the Pere Marquette, a 193-foot wood and iron-plated steamboat.
The first on-board gathering was held May 13, 1925 and, in short order, Columbia regained its reputation as the club for serious sailors who were also serious about having fun. By the time Chicago hosted the World's Fair, "A Century of Progress," in 1933, Columbia was billed as "the most unique meeting place for tired and hungry yachtsmen."
The Pere Marquette proved a worthy and accommodating home for Columbia until January 1937, when she was towed six miles into Lake Michigan and sunk under a barrage of Coast Guard shell fire. To replace the old girl, members purchased a 213-foot, former side-wheel excursion steamer the S.S Florida, and upgraded her to house the Club and its many popular parties and events.
As the nation recovered from the Great Depression through the 1930s, a full calendar of on and off the water events entertained members and their guests. In fact, many of the parties that first began during this period continue as annual events today: Columbia's first Christmas party was held in 1939 and the Beachcomber Ball of the late 1940s has evolved into a series of summer dock parties today.
In May of 1955, a galley fire ignited and rapidly spread through the Florida, causing her to sink at the dock. A date that should have held special honor as the anniversary of the Pere Marquette opening to members, Friday, May 13 suddenly became a fateful date of disaster. But with the same spirit that members had shown after the Great War, members rallied and raised the Florida, restoring her for another nearly 30 years of service.
By 1982, the 100-year old S.S. Florida could no longer house the ever-growing membership and its popular parties. The Flag officers, Board and membership purchased an even larger Club Ship, a 372-foot former ice-cutting Canadian ferry, the Q.S.M.V. Abegweit. After several months of renovation by member volunteers, the Abby began welcoming members and their guests in the summer of 1983.
Since then the Abby has provided a fine home for those who, not unlike those first members in 1892, share a passion for sailing and camaraderie. After more than 120 years, Columbia Yacht Club retains the vital and energetic spirit that began with that small group of sailors envisioning a yacht club on a tiny scow.
In 1892, Chicago was rebuilding from its disastrous fire, the world was wildly anticipating the Columbian Exposition, Daniel Burnham was advising city leaders to make no little plans and a group of yachting enthusiast organized what became formally known as Columbia Yacht Club.
Within months, those founding members built their first clubhouse, a one-room shed built atop an 18 by 35-foot barge. More importantly, they set a tone of camaraderie and the foundation for a lively calendar of social activities, racing and cruising for members. Over the next few years, Columbia Yacht Club became so popular that membership outgrew this first facility. By 1898, the Club moved into a second barge measuring 2,700 square feet. With a larger structure, complete with veranda, full galley and bar, the membership feted notable guests such as Sir Thomas Lipton.
It wasn't long before Columbia needed to increase its square footage a second time. In 1902, funds were raised to construct an elaborate, floating two-story structure, complete with a ballroom to accommodate lavish feasts and parties where members danced to the accompaniment of full orchestras. Season after season, members enjoyed racing, cruising and celebrations until 1914 and the onset of World War I. The Club, like the rest of the country, fell on hard times; loyal members left Chicago to join the fight. Sadly, through lack of use and loss of membership, the physical club house was lost.
Despite this misfortune, Columbia Yacht Club members continued to gather together. They chose the Aviator's Club on North Clark Street, where they hosted social events and made plans for a new Club Ship. Ultimately, the membership purchased the Pere Marquette, a 193-foot wood and iron-plated steamboat.
The first on-board gathering was held May 13, 1925 and, in short order, Columbia regained its reputation as the club for serious sailors who were also serious about having fun. By the time Chicago hosted the World's Fair, "A Century of Progress," in 1933, Columbia was billed as "the most unique meeting place for tired and hungry yachtsmen."
The Pere Marquette proved a worthy and accommodating home for Columbia until January 1937, when she was towed six miles into Lake Michigan and sunk under a barrage of Coast Guard shell fire. To replace the old girl, members purchased a 213-foot, former side-wheel excursion steamer the S.S Florida, and upgraded her to house the Club and its many popular parties and events.
As the nation recovered from the Great Depression through the 1930s, a full calendar of on and off the water events entertained members and their guests. In fact, many of the parties that first began during this period continue as annual events today: Columbia's first Christmas party was held in 1939 and the Beachcomber Ball of the late 1940s has evolved into a series of summer dock parties today.
In May of 1955, a galley fire ignited and rapidly spread through the Florida, causing her to sink at the dock. A date that should have held special honor as the anniversary of the Pere Marquette opening to members, Friday, May 13 suddenly became a fateful date of disaster. But with the same spirit that members had shown after the Great War, members rallied and raised the Florida, restoring her for another nearly 30 years of service.
By 1982, the 100-year old S.S. Florida could no longer house the ever-growing membership and its popular parties. The Flag officers, Board and membership purchased an even larger Club Ship, a 372-foot former ice-cutting Canadian ferry, the Q.S.M.V. Abegweit. After several months of renovation by member volunteers, the Abby began welcoming members and their guests in the summer of 1983.
Since then the Abby has provided a fine home for those who, not unlike those first members in 1892, share a passion for sailing and camaraderie. After more than 120 years, Columbia Yacht Club retains the vital and energetic spirit that began with that small group of sailors envisioning a yacht club on a tiny scow.
Re: Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
There is no way that vessel still exists. I bet they scrapped her in the early 80s.
Columbia Yacht Clubhouse ex CITY OF MACKINAC
Does anyone know the final disposition of the iron passenger & freight side-wheeler (U.S.125150) built in 1883 at Wyandotte, Michigan by the Detroit Dry Dock Company (Hull#61) for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company as a.) CITY OF MACKINAC: 203 X 32.4 X 10.5; 807 gross tons. Renamed b.) STATE OF NEW YORK in 1893, c.) FLORIDA in 1918. Sold to Columbia Yacht Club, Chicago, Illinois in 1937, as a undocumented clubhouse. Retired in 1982