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The Aquarama, formally known as the Marine Star, was a World War 2 troop ship for the United States Navy. In 1952 it was converted into the largest passenger ship ever to operate in the Great Lakes.

Ship History
The Marine Star (Aquarama) was birthed in Chester, Pennsylvania in 1945. It was intended to be used as a troop ship for the U.S. Navy during World War 2, but it only made one trip across the Atlantic one time before combat ceased.

For a few years the ship remained unused until it was bought it 1952 by the Sand Products Company of Detroit. After being purchased the ship was towed to Muskegon, Michigan where it would be converted into a commercial cruise ship. The entire process took approximately two years to complete and cost nearly $8 million dollars. The president of the Sand Products Company at the time, Max Mckee, wanted the Aquarama to be an ocean liner for the Great Lakes.

The Aquarama was originally scheduled to begin operation in 1956, but was temporarily delayed when it landed in Chicago. The company that operated the ship, the Michigan-Ohio Navigation Company, temporarily leased the West 3rd Street Pier until it began operating normally in 1957. Once underway the ship was able to transport its passengers, as well as their automobiles, from Detroit to Cleveland in under six hours.

Although the ship was immensely popular it never generated enough revenue to be self-supporting; On September 4, 1962 the ship made its last trip before being towed to Muskegon. In 1963 there were talks of the ship being sold to the city of Milwaukee, but they didn't choose to pay the $700,000 for dredging so the Aquarama could be accommodated. As a result the ship sat until 1987 when it was sold to the North Shore Farming Company for around $3 million dollars.

The Aquarama was breifly docked at Sarnia, then Winsdor before being reverted to its original name and brought to Buffalo. On August 3, 1995 the Marine Star berthed at the Cargill Pool Elevator where it stayed until it was scrapped in September 2007. It was deconstructed and sold in Aliaga, Turkey.

Capacity and Safety
As a cruise liner the Aquarama was able to carry 2,500 passengers and 160 automobiles. Some of the ship's safety features included its all-steel construction, the smoke detection system, four 135-passenger lifeboats, the latest in radar, and closed circuit television for viewing the stern.

Entertainment
On the ship there were numerous sources of entertainment for the passengers. Among many other things there was a "carnival room" that had a giftshop, games, and a photo booth. Two television theaters were available to be used for conferences or special programs. Along with the theaters the ship contained two dance floors that were accompanied by a stage for an orchestra, or other performances. For those traveling with their families there were even baby-sitting services available. For food people had the choice of four different types of restaurants that varied in style and price. Along with the restaurants there was a main cafeteria that was able to fit nearly 300 hundred people.