Drummond Island Transportation

Drummond Island, Michigan, weather forecast

Drummond Island Transportation: Ferry & Airport

DRUMMOND ISLAND FERRY SCHEDULE

Leave Drummond	Leave DeTour
6:10 A.M. 7:10 A.M. 8:00 A.M. 9:10 A.M. 10:10 A.M. 11:10 A.M. 12:10 P.M. 1:10 P.M. 2:10 P.M. 3:10 P.M. 4:10 P.M. 5:10 P.M. 6:10 P.M. 7:10 P.M. 8:10 P.M. 9:10 P.M. 10:10 P.M. 11:10 P.M. 12:10 A.M. 1:10 A.M. 3:10 A.M. *5:10 A.M.	6:40 A.M 7:40 A.M. 8:40 A.M. 9:40 A.M. 10:40 A.M. 11:40 A.M. 12:40 P.M. 1:40 P.M. 2:40 P.M. 3:40 P.M. 4:40 P.M. 5:40 P.M. 6:40 P.M. 7:40 P.M. 8:40 P.M. 9:40 P.M. 10:40 P.M. 11:40 P.M. 12:40 A.M. 1:40 A.M. 3:40 A.M. *5:40 A.M.

*On request Sun. thru Thurs. from Jan.2 thru March 31

**Fri. & Sat. Only from Jan.2 thru March 31

Daily Apr 1 thru Jan. 1

$100.00 “PLUS FARE” for trips

between regularly scheduled runs.

Cell (906) 235-3170

Eastern Upper Peninsula
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

DRUMMOND ISLAND FERRY PRICES

As of July 1, 2008

PRICES FOR BOOKS OF TICKETS

All Car, Pickup & Driver          
Sr. Citizen, Car Pickup & Driver    
     (65 and older)                 
Pickup with Camper Units           
Bus Camper – Motor Home            
Adults                              
Sr Citizens/Handicap Passengers     
Students (18 and under)             
Lt. Truck or Dual Wheel Pickup     
Trucks 130" W. B. or Over        
Tandem Trucks                    
Regular Gasoline & Explosives   
Semi Gasoline & Explosives       
Trailer 0’ to 12’ long            
Trailer 12’ to 20’              
Trailer over 20'                 
House Trailer – One Way         
Motorcycle, Snowmobile, ORV & 
Driver                             
Trip Between Regularly Scheduled  
Runs Plus Fare

12.00*

   7.00*
16.00*
25.00*
   2.00
   1.00
   1.00
  16.00*
20.00*
24.00*
28.00*
55.00*
11.00*
16.00*
22.00*
120.00*

    6.00*

100.00*

ADULT PASSENGER TICKET             
SR/HANDICAPPED PASSENGER TICKET   
CAR & PICKUP TICKET 20 TRIP      
CAR & PICKUP TICKET 10 TRIP     
SR/HANDICAP – CAR & PICKUP 20 TRIP
SR/HANDICAP – CAR & PICKUP 10 TRIP 
LT TRUCK OR DUAL WHEELS            
TRUCKS 130” W.B. OR OVER          
TANDEM TRUCK & TRAILER (Over 20’) 
/TICKET                
        *INCLUDES FUEL SURCHARGE

24.00
12.00
88.00*
54.00*
48.00*
29.00*
75.00*
120.00*

150.00*

Catching the Drummond Island Ferry

Access to Drummond Island has always been by boat, be it an ancient canoe or the modern ferry, or any of a host of boat possibilities utilized over the years. At times it seems that the very pulse of the island is dictated by the Ferry Schedule and the flow of vehicles to and from the ferry boat docks. These boats and their crews have provided countless safe passages, to residents and visitors alike, across the DeTour Passage of the St. Mary’s River under sometimes calm and, on occasion tumultuous and difficult conditions.

Over 100,000 round-trip vehicle tickets and nearly 200,000 round-trip passenger tickets are purchased each year. The efforts and safety records of the boats and crews are a testament to the quality of service they provide. For more information visit www.eupta.net

Photo by D. Sandell

While crossing the St. Mary’s River, remember that you are crossing one of the busiest waterways in the world. The St. Mary’s River is an international waterway with a total of 4,730 cargo carriers passing Drummond Island during the 2007 season. This number does not include fishing boats, sailboats, yachts, kayaks, etc. The largest cargo recorded in the 2007 season was 65,386 net tons of coal by the M/V INDIANA HARBOR on 14 August 2007.

Photo by P. Strom

In a richly detailed history of the Drummond Island Ferries, Ferry Fare, (available at the Drummond Island Historical Museum), Paul Cross has documented these vessels. The information which follows is drawn from his work.

CLYDE - 36’ fantail launch owned by Daniel Murray Seaman and lost in a collision with a freighter in 1908. “Scheduled” mail, passenger and freight service from Drummond to points in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

NAIDA – 40’ motor launch/light duty tug owned by D M. Seaman, (1908-1922), then by Floyd Seaman, (1922 – 1924), initially providing the same service as the Clyde. From 1915, was used to carry vehicles on the Drummond settlement – DeTour run. Began using the township dock on the channel after 1922 and retires in 1924.

DRUMMOND – 50’, similar to but heavier that the Naida. Built on Drummond Island by Philo Leonard, was specifically designed for carrying 2 to 3 automobiles, owned by J. S. Church and Earle Bailey. Lost to foreclosure in 1924, and later returned to channel service by Joe Krol to replace the Phillip after fire.

PHILLIP – 64’ wooden schooner converted to coal fired steam power carrying 4 to 5 automobiles. Owned by F, Seaman, l924-1930, then sold to J Krol. Burned in winter of 1930-1931.

WALLAN – 60’ wooden hulled, diesel powered, ice-breaking car ferry, built by Philo Leonard on Drummond of Drummond Island timber, specifically for the Drummond – DeTour run. Commissioned by Walter Pardridge and Landon Townsend, sold in 1943 to the Chippewa County Road Commission and renamed Sam C. Taylor. Operated as part of the county road system until 1947.

DRUMMOND ISLANDER – 59’ all steel, ice-breaking auto ferry commissioned by the county in 1947. Original capacity of 7 cars, powered by 120 horsepower, 12 cylinder Caterpillar marine engine. Lengthened to 80’, accommodating 10 cars, and repowered by a supercharged 6 cylinder Cummins in 1976. Deck space enlarged in 1991 to accommodate 12 cars. Ferry service was taken over by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority under a Federal program in the mid 70’s.

DRUMMOND ISLANDER II – 59’, twin engined, 12 car capacity, commissioned in 1961. Steel hulled but with out ice-breaking capacity. Removed from Drummond Island service in 1989. Subsequently re-assigned to Neebish Island service.

DRUMMOND ISLANDER III – 108’ with 37’ beam, twin engine with a 25 car capacity and ice-breaking capability. Delivered in November 1989 and is still in service.

DRUMMOND ISLANDER IV - 148’ with a 43’ beam, twin 960 horsepower Caterpillar diesels, 32 car capacity. Hull #108, built by Basic Marine, Inc. of Escanaba, MI to a design by Timothy Graul Marine Design of Sturgeon Bay, WI. Delivered in November 2000.

Normally, a visitor’s first experience of Drummond Island is from the deck of a ferry boat. These ferries make for a rich and varied history of service to the island.

Drummond Island Airport
by Betty Bailey

The Drummond Island Airport is centrally located on the Townline Road one half mile from the Four Corners. The Bailey’s Services, LLC run the airport. For additional information contact, Manager, James Bailey, 906-493-5411.

You will find a unique experience, during summertime landings or take-offs the paved runway is between fairways #4 and #5 of the Drummond Island Golf Course. The turf runway is adjacent to fairway #9 and the driving range

Call Letters	KDRM
Elevation	670’
Lights- Beacon	MIRL PAPI
Attended	Daylight hours
Runways	4,000’ x 75’ Asphalt
	2,900’ x 150’ Turf
Radio Facilities	Unicom 122.8
Fuel	Octane – 100 – Jet A
Repairs	Major
Weather	AWOS: FREQ 118.325
	AWOS phone: 906-493-6410
Heated Hangar	Call for details
GPS Instrument Approach
Transportation	Available
Overnight accommodations	On the Island
Connecting airports:
CIU	Chippewa International Airport
	Kinross, MI ( Sault Ste. Marie, MI)
	45 miles from Drummond Island, car rental available
PLN	Pellston Regional Airport
	N US Highway 31
	Pellston, MI
	93 miles from Drummond Island, car rental available

Drummond Island Tourism Association
P.O.Box 200 Drummond Island, MI 49726
906-493-5245 or 800-737-8666
Email: drummondislandtourism@alphacomm.net