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Pere Marquette 17
PM 17 header


The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was built in 1901 by American Ship Building Co. at Cleveland, Ohio.  She was laid up for much of the 1930s  because of the Great Depression.  In 1940 she was sold to the State of Michigan and renamed CITY OF PETOSKEY.  In 1961, she was scrapped at Ashtabula, Ohio.



Call Whistle -- Long-Short-Short
Captain -- Peter Kilty




Lifering
 "Carferry PERE MARQUETTE 17 had her fist loose cars Friday night.  When she arrived in port after weathering the terrific storm, several cars were toppled over, but not a great deal of damage was done.  The crew was able to unload in five hours."

Ludington Record-Appeal, October 1901






history


  • August 23, 1901 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 arrived Ludington.  Captain Peter Kilty in command.
  • March 4, 1902 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17, along with her sister PERE MARQUETTE 18 were stuck in the ice outside Ludington.
  • July 24, 1902 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 made an excursion trip onto Lake Michigan.
  • February 4, 1904 -- Captain Russell of the PERE MARQUETTE 17 reported that Lake Michigan was frozen all the way to Manitowoc.
  • February 14, 1904 -- Captain Russell of the PERE MARQUETTE 17 went out to break out the PERE MARQUETTE 15 & PERE MARQUETTE 18 which were stuck in the ice.
  • February 14, 1906 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 became stuck in slush ice while attempting to depart Ludington.  After about six hours, a path was broken up by the MANISTIQUE MARQUETTE AND NORTHERN 1 (later MILWAUKEE) and the NO. 2.
  • February 17, 1904 -- Captain Joseph Russell of the PERE MARQUETTE 17 spend 20 hours straight on the bridge because of ice jams.
  • November 21, 1906 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was being assisted up the river at Manitowoc by  tug Artic when a strong gust of wind rove the ferry and tug against the north pilings of the 10th Street Bridge, crushing the tug.
  • December 30, 1908 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 ran aground 3 miles south of Big Point Sable (near Hamlin).  Captain Joe Russell in command.
17 Aground
  • January 13, 1909 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was released and towed in to Ludington after running aground the previous December.  She spend 13 days on the beach.
  • December 28, 1909  -- Wireless telegraphy installed on the PERE MARQUETTE 17 by the United Wireless Co.
  • September 9, 1910 -- PERE MARQUETTE 18 (I) sunk with a loss of 28 lives, 2 of which from the PERE MARQUETTE 17 which came to the rescue.
At Ludington
  • May 14, 1915 -- One of the most unusual cargos, two "Jack Johnsons" (battleship guns) were hauled by the PERE MARQUETTE 17.
  • November 17, 1919 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was laid up at Manitowoc Shipyards undergoing engine repairs.
  • May 15, 1923 -- F&PM 4 collided head on with PERE MARQUETTE 17.
  • August 9, 1938 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 and 18 left Milwaukee for Grand Haven carrying 600 United States Army Troops, bound for Army war maneuvers near Allegan and at Camp Custer.
PUT FERRIES BACK IN SERVICE

PERE MARQUETTE'S 17 & 18 In Service After Accidents

The Pere Marquette carferries 17 and 18, which were out of commission at Ludington, are again in service as a result of the double accidents at Ludington Sunday morning, which disabled the CITY OF FLINT and the PERE MARQUETTE 21.

Ludington Daily News, January 1939
  • October 9, 1940 -- The Ludington Daily News reported that the PERE MARQUETTE 17 may be sold to the State for use at the Straits.
  • October 17, 1940 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was towed to the shipyards at Manitowoc, Wisconsin by the PERE MARQUETTE 21







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  01/21/04