Toledo Shipbuilding Company

Shipyard in Ohio, United States

The Toledo Shipbuilding Company was a shipyard located on Toledo, Ohio.[1]

History

The Toledo Shipbuilding Company was founded in 1905 when a syndicate of investors purchased the Craig Shipbuilding Company in Toledo, Ohio.[2] The group was composed of Lyman C. Smith (Smith Typewriter Company); Horace S. Wilkinson (United States Transportation Company); Charles B. Calder (American Shipbuilding Detroit); and Alexander McVittie (American Shipbuilding Detroit).[2] The company was incorporated with share capital of $1,000,000.[2] Frank E. Kirby was named as the ship architect and engineer.[2] They focused on bulk freighters.[2] In 1917, they built the Tours and Limoges for the French; and were commissioned to build seven freighters for the United Kingdom which were later requisitioned by the United States Shipping Board (USSB).[2] They went on to build an additional 30 ships for the USSB[2] (including 8 Design 1020 ships). After World War I, due to a post-war glut of ships, they focused on repair work.[2] They returned to shipbuilding in 1920 and launched 14 ships through 1930.[2] During the Great Depression, they returned to ship repair.[2] During World War II, Toledo Shipbuilding built the USCG icebreakers Storis (1942) and Mackinaw (1944).[2] In 1945, they built their last vessel, barge P. M. 88.[2] In 1945, they were purchased by their main rival, the American Shipbuilding Company via its subsidiary Delta Shipbuilding Company and renamed as AmSouth Toledo.[2]

Gallery

  • The Erwin L. Fisher.
    The Erwin L. Fisher.
  • The SS Ste. Claire in a 1912 advertisement for the Toledo Shipbuilding Company
    The SS Ste. Claire in a 1912 advertisement for the Toledo Shipbuilding Company
  • USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
    USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)
  • The USCGC Storis (WMEC-38) after decommissioning.
    The USCGC Storis (WMEC-38) after decommissioning.
  • USS Taganak (AG-45)
    USS Taganak (AG-45)
  • SS Chief Wawatam
    SS Chief Wawatam
  • The John Kendall steam-powered fire boat moored at Riverside Park Boat Launch in Detroit in July 1969.
    The John Kendall steam-powered fire boat moored at Riverside Park Boat Launch in Detroit in July 1969.
  • SS Wauketa, "White Star Line," Launched at Toledo Ship Building Company's Yards, Toledo, Ohio
    SS Wauketa, "White Star Line," Launched at Toledo Ship Building Company's Yards, Toledo, Ohio

References

  1. ^ Colton, Tim (20 August 2015). "Craig Shipbuilding, Toledo OH (Linn & Craig [1869-1882], J. Craig & Sons [1883-1889], Blythe Craig Shipbuilding [1890-1893], Craig Shipbuilding [1893-1905], Toledo Shipbuilding [1906-1945] and AmShip Toledo [1945-1982])". shipbuildinghistory.com. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Weisman, Matthew J.; Shorf, Paula. "Boats Built at Toledo, Ohio - A Comprehensive Listing of the Vessels Built from Schooners to Steamers from 1810 to the Present - Toledo Shipbuilding Company (1905-1945)" (PDF). toledoport.org.