A.J. Miller Shipyard – Marine City, Michigan

A.J. Miller Shipyard – Marine City, Michigan

Overview

The A.J. Miller Shipyard was a prominent 19th-century wooden shipbuilding operation located in Marine City, Michigan. Marine City (formerly known as Newport, Michigan) was a key center for Great Lakes shipbuilding, producing wooden schooners, steamers, tugboats, and barges for commerce, industry, and passenger transport.

A.J. Miller’s shipyard was one of several shipbuilders in Marine City, contributing to the region’s booming maritime industry alongside:

• Cornwall & Lester
• John Oades Shipyard
• J.B. Butler Shipyard

Like other Marine City shipyards, A.J. Miller likely specialized in wooden ships used for bulk cargo transport, lumber hauling, and towing operations.

Shipbuilding Contributions

While specific vessels built by A.J. Miller remain undocumented, shipyards in Marine City during the mid-to-late 19th century typically produced:

• Schooners and schooner-barges for timber and bulk cargo transport.
• Steam-powered vessels (sidewheelers and propeller-driven freighters).
• Tugboats and workboats for logging and industrial use.
• Passenger and freight carriers for Great Lakes ferry and packet boat services.

Given Marine City’s prominence in shipbuilding, A.J. Miller’s shipyard likely contributed to the expansion of trade and transportation on the Great Lakes.

Marine City, Michigan: A Major Shipbuilding Hub

During the 19th century, Marine City became one of the leading shipbuilding centers in Michigan, supplying vessels for:

• The booming timber industry, with ships hauling logs and lumber to sawmills.

• Bulk freight transport, moving coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes.

• Passenger transportation, including ferries and small excursion steamers.

The A.J. Miller Shipyard was part of this larger shipbuilding ecosystem, which helped shape Michigan’s economic and maritime growth.

Further Research and Resources

1. Marine City Museum (Marine City, MI)

• https://marinecitymuseum.org

• Holds records on local shipbuilders like A.J. Miller.

2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

• Documents historical shipbuilding records, vessel registrations, and ownership transfers.

3. Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

• https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org

• May have documentation on vessels built by A.J. Miller that were later lost in the Great Lakes.

4. Library of Congress – Historic American Engineering Record

• May contain shipbuilding contracts or shipyard details from Marine City’s maritime industry.

Conclusion

The A.J. Miller Shipyard was an important shipbuilding firm in Marine City, Michigan, contributing to the construction of wooden schooners, steamers, and tugboats for the Great Lakes shipping industry. While specific vessels remain undocumented, the shipyard was part of a thriving 19th-century maritime economy, producing ships that helped drive Michigan’s lumber and shipping industries. Further archival research may uncover more details about Miller’s shipbuilding legacy.