The Water Lily Sets Sail for Isle Royale

On August 4, 1929, a small but mighty boat named the Water Lily made her maiden voyage from Copper Harbor, Michigan, to Isle Royale—a rugged, remote island in Lake Superior. For the first time ever, Michiganders could board a ferry in their own state and travel to Isle Royale’s pristine wilderness by boat. Before this historic trip, anyone wishing to explore the island had to depart from Duluth, Minnesota, or Port Arthur, Ontario.

Charles Kauppi

The man behind this bold new service was Charles Kauppi, a former commercial fisherman from the tiny town of Gay, Michigan. With the country on the brink of the Great Depression and Keweenaw County soon facing sky-high unemployment, Kauppi’s decision to start a ferry service seemed nothing short of absurd. But Kauppi was no ordinary man. Known for his bravery and willingness to sail through treacherous Lake Superior waters—sometimes at the request of the Coast Guard—he was determined to open Isle Royale to adventurers, campers, and fishermen.

The Water Lily wasn’t exactly a luxury liner—it was a converted 35-foot fishing vessel with a wooden hull, a few portholes, and a knack for long, six-hour crossings. Legend has it that during these epic voyages, Kauppi would often recruit a willing passenger to take the helm so he could brew some much-needed coffee.

Time to Upgrade

By 1935, with word spreading about President Herbert Hoover’s push to make Isle Royale a national park, Kauppi knew it was time for an upgrade. He introduced the Copper Queen, followed by the Isle Royale Queen, which finally met Coast Guard standards for regular passenger service.

The ferry line changed hands over the years, passing from Kauppi to Ward Grosnik, who introduced the faster Isle Royale Queen II in 1960, and then to Donald Kilpela Sr. in 1971. Each new owner brought improvements, new ships, and a deep commitment to making the wild beauty of Isle Royale accessible to the public. The line evolved through the Queen III and today’s Isle Royale Queen IV, which shuttles visitors in just over three hours across the same waters Kauppi first braved nearly a century ago.

Isle Royale National Park

Today, as Isle Royale National Park remains one of America’s most remote and untouched national treasures, the ferry service that began with one man’s bold dream continues to connect people to its rugged shores. The Water Lily’s humble beginnings remind us that sometimes the wildest journeys start with the simplest boats—and the bravest captains.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.