The Great White Steamer that ferried visitors from San Pedro to Catalina Island for a half century has taken its last voyage. Mexican crews have begun demolishing the partly sunken ship where it sits in the mud of Ensenada harbor, and preservationists have given up a years-long effort to save the storied steamer. Donna Littlejohn in the Daily Breeze:

"I would have wished for a different outcome," said David Engholm of Coos Bay, Ore., who spearheaded the movement to return the ship to San Pedro and turn it into a floating museum...

The 310-foot steamship, which took its maiden voyage on May 30, 1924, was glorious in its day, hosting the big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller as it ferried passengers from the California mainland to Catalina Island.

The island's signature song "Avalon" was played as the ship left and entered the ports on either end.

The ship served the passenger route to Catalina until its retirement in 1974, overtaken by smaller, faster boats that grew in popularity.

Photo: SS Catalina in 2006

Edited to correct prefix