In the early 20th Century, Great Lakes shipping and waterways had to be ready for industry, and like roadways on land, the development of harbors and channels was critical to economic growth. By 1906, the Detroit River was the busiest commercial waterway in the world, but near Grosse Ile it was too shallow for large steel-hulled freighters to carry the heavy ores and metals demanded by industries such as Detroit’s exploding automotive industry. Work began in 1908 to cut 22 feet deeper into the bedrock there, creating the Livingstone Channel and unleashing Great Lakes industry. William Livingstone is also honored by the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on the east end of Belle Isle.