Article

SS George M. Cox: Construction

SS George M Cox being constructed at dock in Toledo, OH
Construction of SS PURITAN at Toledo, Ohio in 1901.

Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, 115054_115158_F

Construction

The steel passenger screw-steamer George M. Cox was named Puritan by the Craig Shipbuilding Co. of Toledo, Ohio in 1901. U.S. Registry No. 150898 (June 7, 1901) listed the owner of the vessel as the Craig Shipbuilding Co., and gave the dimensions: 233 feet long, 40.5 feet wide and 21.9 feet deep. The ship had no masts, two decks, a plain head and round stern. The tonnage capacity under deck was 1169.08; the capacity between decks above the tonnage deck was 378.53 tons, yielding a gross tonnage of 1547.61. A deduction of 495.04 tons was allowed, giving a net tonnage of 1052.

The ship was designed for the overnight passenger service. The first owners, the Holland and Chicago Transportation Co., intended to name the vessel Ottawa. Before hull 82 was completed, the Holland and Chicago Co. was bought by the Graham and Morton Transportation Co. The new owners named the vessel Puritan and launched the ship on the afternoon of May 1, 1901 (Detroit Free Press, May 2, 1901).

The Craig Shipbuilding Co. owned Puritan from June 7 to June 28, 1901. Graham and Morton Transportation Co. retained ownership until December 27, 1902, when ownership was transferred to J. H. Graham of St. Joseph, Michigan.

SS Puritan sailing out of St. Joseph Harbor, decks swarmed by passengers, onlookers in rowboat
The SS PURITAN during its early years, sailing out of St. Joseph Harbor, Michigan, bustling with passengers on deck.

Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, 115054_115081_F

The triple-expansion engine of PURITAN was rated at 1,700 indicated horsepower ("Certificate of Consolidated Enrollment and License," Puritan. May 23, 1924).


Isle Royale National Park

Last updated: September 21, 2020