The "India" was constructed in 1871 and ran to the main ports between Buffalo and Duluth. In 1907, she was sold, rechristened the "City of Ottawa," and plied between Montreal and Cleveland. She was again renamed - as the "Sault Ste. Marie" - in 1929. The U.S. government took command of her in 1942, but ultimately determined her to be unfit for war purposes. In 1943, she was laid up on shore in Florida.