In Memory of
Arthur "Captain Art" S. Herrala
July 28, 1929 – January 13, 2021
ISMA Pennant No. 10764
Captain Herrala was born in Detroit and was a life-long resident of the area. His entire sailing career centered on the Browning Company and the Bob-Lo steamers Columbia and Ste. Claire; where he began as deckhand in 1947 at the age of 19. In short order he earned his license at the navigation school in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked his way up the ranks.
It was at the Browning Company where he met the love of his life, Woody Neme Herrala who survives him.
During the off season, Art worked for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company aboard the overnight passenger vessel Greater Detroit, and the Chicago, Duluth and Georgian Bay Transit Company aboard the cruise ship S.S. South American.
He also spent time working in the ore trade on the freighter Charles E. Dunlap. In 1955 he worked for McCarthy Steamship Company, and sailed from Detroit on the converted freighter George H. Ingalls as it carried loads of 411 brand new automobiles on a special ‘flight deck’ to various ports on the Great Lakes.
After retirement, Art volunteered during several special events at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and was often seen in uniform at the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Great Lakes Memorial Service at Mariners' Church of Detroit.
In 2009, the membership of Detroit Lodge No. 7 honored Captain Art with the Lewis Ludington Award.
The funeral home obituary and on-line guest book can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Art with his wife Woodie Neme Herrala in 2010.
They met working for Bob-Lo, where Woodie was secretary to the president.
Art Herrala and Ron Ingram at a lodge meeting in February 2016
(Photo by Paul Jagenow)
Art Herrala with Harry Wolf aboard the Columbia on September 1, 1985
(Photo by Roger Hewlett)
Arthur "Captain Art" S. Herrala
July 28, 1929 – January 13, 2021
ISMA Pennant No. 10764
Lodge member Art Herrala, a resident
of Sterling Heights and a member of Detroit Lodge No.
7 for the past 34 years, passed away on Wednesday,
January 13, 2021 at the age of 91.
Captain Herrala was born in Detroit and was a life-long resident of the area. His entire sailing career centered on the Browning Company and the Bob-Lo steamers Columbia and Ste. Claire; where he began as deckhand in 1947 at the age of 19. In short order he earned his license at the navigation school in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked his way up the ranks.
It was at the Browning Company where he met the love of his life, Woody Neme Herrala who survives him.
During the off season, Art worked for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company aboard the overnight passenger vessel Greater Detroit, and the Chicago, Duluth and Georgian Bay Transit Company aboard the cruise ship S.S. South American.
He also spent time working in the ore trade on the freighter Charles E. Dunlap. In 1955 he worked for McCarthy Steamship Company, and sailed from Detroit on the converted freighter George H. Ingalls as it carried loads of 411 brand new automobiles on a special ‘flight deck’ to various ports on the Great Lakes.
But the centerpiece of his
career was at Bob-Lo, aboard the Columbia
and Ste. Claire, Both
steamers made multiple daily trips on the
18-mile run between Detroit and Bob‐Lo Island,
along with midnight cruises on the waters of
Lake Ste. Clair. Captain Art retired as
Master of the Columbia when the
steamers laid up for the final time in
September of 1991.
After retirement, Art volunteered during several special events at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and was often seen in uniform at the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Great Lakes Memorial Service at Mariners' Church of Detroit.
In 2009, the membership of Detroit Lodge No. 7 honored Captain Art with the Lewis Ludington Award.
The funeral home obituary and on-line guest book can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Art with his wife Woodie Neme Herrala in 2010.
They met working for Bob-Lo, where Woodie was secretary to the president.
Art Herrala and Ron Ingram at a lodge meeting in February 2016
(Photo by Paul Jagenow)
Art Herrala with Harry Wolf aboard the Columbia on September 1, 1985
(Photo by Roger Hewlett)
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