The Empire Shipbuilding Company of Buffalo, New York, built the "Niagra" in 1910 for the Buffalo and Fort Erie Ferry Company. When she was sold to the Pittsburgh Steamship Company in 1916, "Frontier" was added to her name. In the 1930's, the "Niagra Frontier" was used as a supply boat on the Soo. About 1938 she sank in the St. Mary's River, the border river between Michigan and Ontario; two drowned in the sinking. The "Niagra Frontier" was raised and repaired, and in 1947 she was bought by a Toledo, Ohio ship repair company.