The Detroit River is frozen over but barges continue to break through. Photo courtesy of Fox News.
It’s not something you see everyday–a frozen river. Especially one that normally has a 6-8 mile current. Both the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, which provide access between the Great Lakes, were well on the way to being completely frozen over this winter. However barge traffic is still moving through, as you can see in the video shot in January of the St. Clair River near Harsen’s Island. Whenever the rivers get like this, there are a lot of people that consider walking over to Canada, but it’s forbidden and not recommended! However, back in 1929 when the Detroit River did freeze over, many smugglers did take advantage of the situation to bring illegal alcohol into Detroit. Some of these “Rum Runners” made it, others were not so fortunate. Just looking at these pictures makes me want to turn the heat up. We’re all looking forward to warmer temperatures this weekend.
Back in 1929 it was so cold that smugglers were able to drive cars across the frozen Detroit River. Known as “Rum Runners” this is one way Detoit was supplied with booze during Prohibition. (1920-1933) Photo taken on December 10, 1929 by a Detroit News Staff Photographer.
Not all the “Rum Runners” that tried to cross the “frozen” Detroit River were successful. Who knows how many cars (and bottles) are down there still! Detroit News Staff Photographer