72 Stretching across more than 3,700 kilometres through the heartland of North America, The Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System is the gateway to a wide variety of major port cities and picturesque destinations. New and undiscovered sights are available on every step of the journey for cruise lines and their guests to explore, starting on the Atlantic coast at the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and ending on the far western shore of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. Each of the port cities dotting the ever-changing shoreline are full of historic, maritime and midwestern charm. While the Great Lakes region may be best known for its strong agricultural roots and critical role at the heartland of North American manufacturing, tourists visiting the region for the first time are often surprised by the rich history in the various modes of transportation also preserved along the shores of the Great Lakes. With the water an important part of everyday life, historical museums that showcase these legacies are close to the cruise berths used on Great Lakes itineraries. While in Muskegon, Michigan, guests can take a tour of the SS Milwaukee Clipper, known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes”. Built in 1904 by American Shipbuilding Company, this 361-foot passenger and package freight steamer, originally known as Juniata, is powered by a 3,000-horsepower quadruple expansion steam engine, which is only one of seven such engines built for Great Lakes passenger service. Carrying 350 passengers in staterooms, Juniata was the epitome of firstclass travel and sailed between Buffalo, New York, and Duluth. In the late 1930s the demand for a new steamer to provide a cross-lake service launched the effort to redesign Juniata. As part of the redesign, the wooden superstructure was removed and replaced by an all-steel, streamlined superstructure, the first design of its type in the world. On 2 June 1941, its name was changed to SS Milwaukee Clipper and on 3 June, it made its maiden voyage to Muskegon. From 1941 until 1970, Milwaukee Clipper carried thousands of passengers and automobiles between Muskegon and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the port of Buffalo, New York, passengers can visit The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park, the largest inland naval and military park in the country. Located on Buffalo’s Waterfront, this unique family destination features four decommissioned ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTS: COMMENTARY Discovering historical transportation on the Great Lakes Cruise guests visiting the Great Lakes of North America can discover a rich history of travel and transportation on water, land and in the air REBECCA YACKLEY Director of the office of trade and economic development at the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit showcases the inventions of America’s greatest minds
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