The steamer Ste. Claire represents the typical propeller-driven excursion steamer of the turn of the century, a type once found in many parts of the country. Excursion steamers are steamships built primarily for passengers for day trips. Ste. Claire and Columbia represent the "ocean-going" type of excursion vessel although they were used on lakes.

The steamer Ste. Claire is significant as one of the last pair of classic excursion steamers in the country; as one of the two last essentially unaltered ships designed by Frank E. Kirby; as one of the two last vessels of the Detroit and Windsor Ferry Co.; and for its unaltered propulsion machinery, which is of a rare type.

Ste. Claire is one of the oldest passenger steamer in the United States, excepting vessels properly classed as ferries. Ste. Claire and her running-mate Columbia  are the last two steamers of their type with integrity left in the United States. The pair shared their original run from Detroit to Bob-Lo Island for 81 years, a record of service on a single run unequalled in U. S. maritime history.