HOUGHTON - "I've served on ships that were 100 years old, so I think she's got another 20 or 30 years in her, at least," Ranger III Capt. Bill Hanrahan told a crowd Thursday from the passenger lounge of the historic vessel docked on the Houghton waterfront.

Hanrahan's talk detailed the history of the ship, celebrating its 50th year of service. Since its maiden voyage to Isle Royale on Oct. 10, 1958, he said, the vessel has made more than 4,400 safe crossings, although the first one was a little rough.

"On her first voyage, she ran into a gale and had to take shelter in Thunder Bay, Ontario," he said.

The Ranger III was preceded by two 75-foot wooden hull U.S. Coast Guard cutters received by Isle Royale National Park in 1937, designated as NPS-1 and NPS-2. Their similar names not surprisingly led to some confusion; the NPS-2 thereafter became the Beaver and the NPS-1 was renamed the Ranger. They were in service until 1942, carrying Civilian Conservation Corps crews, building materials, food and other supplies.

After World War II, the decaying Ranger was removed from service, replaced by a 114-foot surplus Army minelayer which became the Ranger II. From 1946 to 1958, the Ranger II served the developing park, carrying up to 16 passengers and their cargo.

During the Eisenhower Administration, a nationwide "Mission 66" program was initiated to rejuvenate National Park lands and its facilities. Isle Royale requested and received a new ship, the Ranger III.

Built by the Christy Corp., now Bay Shipbuilding, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the Ranger III cost $1.16 million in 1958.

Since then, she's received many upgrades, including new engines in 1998.

"That was her $2.3 million heart transplant," Hanrahan said.

Major maintenance projects are conducted every five years, when the ship gets a full inspection. During this dry-dock period, she is inspected, cleaned, painted and receives equipment upgrades. The Ranger is inspected twice annually by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping.

"This fall, she's due for another dry-dock upgrade," Hanrahan said, the vessel's 10th upgrade in its history with the park.

The Ranger III isn't the only vessel owned and operated by the National Park Service, Hanrahan said, showing photographs of other ships, but at 165 feet, she is likely the largest. She carries a crew of six to nine people, and up to 128 passengers.

The Ranger's 73-mile journey to Isle Royale from Houghton takes about five hours.

Over the last 50 years, she has logged 350,000 miles, carried 60,000 tons of cargo and taken 250,000 visitors to Isle Royale, including a stowaway raccoon.

"He never got off at the island," Hanrahan was quick to add.

Hanrahan's talk was part of a celebration for the Ranger which included interpretive programs, tours and free rides in the afternoon. The afternoon cruise took passengers to Jacobsville and back, travelers picked via a lottery system.

"We've had a great response to our call for passengers," said Liz Valencia, the park's chief of cultural resources and interpretation. About seven passengers were on a waiting list as of noon Thursday.

Prior to Hanrahan's talk Thursday, Amy Wisti, aide to U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, read the text of the Congressional record from Wednesday honoring the park, the Ranger III and its crew.

Park Superintendent Phyllis Green also presented Hanrahan with a plaque from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing.

Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com