When Ste. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships – the oldest in America - find their fates resting in the hands of an unlikely band of heroes. This award-winning, nostalgic film is narrated by Martha Reeves.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale
Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
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About the Show
For over 85 years, steamship Ste. Claire transported generations of Detroiters to Boblo Island, one of America's earliest amusement parks. When the vessel comes under threat of ruin, a doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save their beloved steamship from the scrapyard.
Boblo Boats explores the whitewashed history of amusement parks and one crew's crusade to bring back the memories.
Narrated by Motown Legend Martha Reeves.
