The voyage of the stalwart little ship 'Detroit'

The Titanic disaster in the north Atlantic in Feburary of 1912 stunned the world. A ship so great seemed to make the ocean seem small, no big deal to cross, especially by such a magnificent vessel.

But after the tragedy, fear captured ocean travelers, causing reservations on ocean liners to plunge.

Enter Detroiter William E. Scripps, son of Detroit News founder James E. Scripps, who decided to try to return confidence to travelers. Not coincidentally, his Scripps Motor Company produced engines. The marine gasoline engine was fairly new in 1912, and its possibilities had not been fully explored. Scripps figured if a gasoline-powered boat could cross the Atlantic --specifically, from Detroit to St. Petersburg, Russia -- it could only help business.

Scripps, who was also commodore of the Detroit Motor Boat Club, which would disband in 1916, dabbled in the exciting new industry that made aircraft, automobiles and motorcycles. He ordered a sturdy ocean-worthy craft to be built by Scott Matthews from the Matthews Boat Company in Port Clinton, Ohio.

The finished ship, named Detroit, would exceed the strength of any of comparable vessel then afloat. But it in no way matched the huge Titanic.

Trip sponsor William Scripps, left, poses with stern-looking Capt. Thomas Fleming Day before the voyage.

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