Ashtabula (ferry)

The Ashtabula was a double-ended steel-hulled ferry that operated on Lake Erie, primarily between Ashtabula, Ohio and the Point Pelee peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Built in 1907, she provided passenger and freight service, significantly shortening travel times compared to land routes. The ferry played a vital role in connecting communities on both sides of the lake, facilitating trade and tourism. The Ashtabula's service was eventually discontinued due to a combination of factors including competition from improved roadways and declining ridership. She was later sold and repurposed for other uses before eventually being scrapped. The vessel remains a notable part of the maritime history of Lake Erie and the communities it served.