Page 51 - Biz X Magazine - July/August, 2014 Issue

THE WAY Forging A Living… Along The River’s Edge IT WAS By Andrea Grimes istory has shown that the Detroit River, River has provided this community with many Has the international hub of marine memorable events that bears refection of our transportation, has provided a robust proud Canadian history. livelihood for many generations. Te Detroit On September 20, 1860 the Prince of Wales River travels south from Lake St. Clair to arrived in Windsor. Afer a very brief visit to the Lake Erie and is recognized as one of the village square, the royal party embarked on the busiest waterways in the world. steamer “Windsor” docked on the Canadian It was frst navigated by non-natives in the side of the river. As the steamer made its way to 17th century and during the 1800s, French and Detroit, Michigan; freworks were discharged British homesteaders settled in the area. Along from all the vessels lined along Windsor’s the south shores of the Detroit River, the fow of shoreline bidding H.R.H. a fond farewell. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip arrive in Windsor commercial goods moved from Upper Canada In 1959, Windsor once again rolled out the July 3, 1959. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Port through to Windsor to Sandwich to Petite Cote carpet for the British Monarchy. H.M. Queen Authority. to River Canard and to Fort Amherstburg, Elizabeth II and H.R.H. Prince Philip paid a delivering the everyday necessities of life to visit to Windsor as part of their ofcial Royal the historic importance of maritime industry the farmers and the militia to the fur-traders, Tour of Canada commemorating the opening for the Port of Windsor. missionaries and to the stout-hearted pioneers of the St. Lawrence Seaway. “H.M.Y. Britannia” In realizing the monumental impact that forging a living along the river’s edge. docked at the foot of Dieppe Gardens on marine transportation had on Windsor’s Notwithstanding the important roles July 3, 1959 during the “International Freedom economic vitality, the Windsor Harbour farming and fur-trading played in supporting Festival” celebrations where the Royal Couple Commission, (PortWindsor.com/ecom.asp) many families into the early 1900s, a new enjoyed a warm Windsor welcome. was established in 1957. industry known as rum running changed Queen Elizabeth summed up the purpose It serves to engage in activities related to the way society lived during the heydays of of her tour, “If I have helped you to feel proud shipping, navigation and transportation of the 1920s. Virtually overnight, the Windsor- of being Canadian, if I have reminded you of passengers and goods; to manage, develop, and Detroit area became the centre of the rum the strength which comes from unity and if promote the Port of Windsor for the beneft running experience. I have helped to draw your attention to the of its stakeholders and to ensure the general Te illegal transporting of liquor not only bright vision of the years ahead, I shall feel well security of the port while remaining sensitive increased marine trafc from border to border, satisfed…” to the need for a high degree of safety and it was also known the world over for lining the Life on the Detroit River also saw its share environmental responsibility. deep pockets of many “enterprising” families of tragedy. In July 1959, the “Montrose” was Tere is within the Port Windsor, an active who knew how to turn a fast buck. hit by a barge and sustained heavy damages. Mission to Seafarers. Representatives of During the ‘20s and ‘30s, a new mode of Te strong river currents caught the helpless various religious denominations meet vessels transportation was introduced to the Detroit “Montrose” pushing it downstream until it from around the world to provide spiritual and River and passenger ferries became a popular ran aground under the Ambassador Bridge. physical support to ships’ companies. international connection providing a daily Fortunately, no lives were lost. Te Windsor Port Authority continues service for commuters. For the last 33 years, the Detroit River has to serve with a dedication to safeguarding Windsor’s ofcial port of entry not comes to life with roaring diesels and blaring our international waterway, one which has only realizes commercial and industrial air horns of the celebrated annual tug boat sustained this community since the spirited development within the transportation races every June. Tis family-centred event not voyageurs frst paddled their fur brigades along industry, it also generates opportunities only showcases as many as 30 mighty tugboats the Detroit River, bringing trade and commerce for Windsor to build its reputation as churning up the Detroit River; it heightens the to those stout-hearted pioneer homesteaders international tourist destination. Te Detroit profle of the river, our maritime heritage and forging a living… along the river’s edge. BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 51 BizX2014JulyAug52.indd 51 2014-07-01 7:54 PM