B.B. Jones – Shipbuilder

Overview

B.B. Jones was a notable shipbuilder operating out of Chicago, Illinois, during the mid-19th century. Known for constructing wooden sailing vessels, Jones played a significant role in supporting the shipping industry that facilitated trade and transportation across the Great Lakes. Chicago’s position as a burgeoning shipping hub during the 1800s made it an ideal location for Jones’ shipbuilding endeavors.

Vessel Construction

• B. B. Jones was a wooden screw propeller tug built in 1864 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by her namesake, Benj B. Jones. Measuring over 111 feet in length, she was one of the larger tugs of her time, designed to perform towing operations and assist larger vessels navigating the challenging waterways of the Great Lakes and their connecting rivers. Initially owned by Edmund Trowbridge of Detroit, Michigan, the tug played a significant role in both commercial towing and maritime rescue operations.
• George C. Drew was a wooden, two-masted scow-schooner, built in 1848 by F.N. & B.B. Jones in Avon, Ohio. Scow-schooners were flat-bottomed sailing vessels, well-suited for carrying bulk cargoes such as lumber, particularly in shallow waters like those of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay.
• Toledo was a wooden propeller vessel built in 1854 by B.B. Jones in Buffalo, New York. It was a large ship for its time, measuring 178 feet in length, 30 feet in beam, and with a depth of 12 feet, carrying a gross tonnage of 585. As a passenger and package freight vessel, the Toledo was likely used to transport both people and goods across the Great Lakes, particularly on Lake Michigan, where it met its ill-fated end.
• S.F. Gale, built in 1846, was one of the noteworthy vessels crafted by Jones, originally launched as a brig and later converted to a schooner.
• Yankee Blade was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1855 by shipbuilder B. B. Jones in Buffalo, New York. She was constructed during a period when sailing vessels still dominated cargo transport on the Great Lakes, particularly for bulk materials like grain, coal, and iron ore.
• Zouave was a powerful wooden steam tug, built in Milwaukee in 1861. She served on the Great Lakes and the St. Clair River, assisting in towing operations, wreck salvage, and general harbor work.

Shipbuilding Techniques

Like other shipbuilders of the era, Jones likely employed oak and pine in the construction of hulls, relying on skilled labor to produce vessels capable of enduring the heavy seas and variable winds characteristic of Great Lakes navigation.

Jones’ shipyard contributed significantly to the regional economy by creating vessels that transported essential commodities such as grain, timber, and stone between ports, fueling industrial growth and settlement in the Great Lakes region.

Historical Context

During the mid-19th century, Chicago was rapidly emerging as a critical shipping and industrial center. Shipbuilders like B.B. Jones were pivotal in this transformation, crafting vessels that ensured the efficient movement of goods across the lakes and connecting the city to other major ports.

Legacy

B.B. Jones’ contributions to shipbuilding in Chicago helped lay the foundation for the city’s maritime prominence. His vessels were part of the fleet that supported the Great Lakes’ thriving trade networks, connecting industries, communities, and markets. The S.F. GALE serves as a testament to his craftsmanship and the enduring impact of 19th-century shipbuilders in shaping the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

Research Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A database chronicling shipbuilders and vessels from the era.
• Chicago Historical Society: Archives with records of early shipbuilding in Chicago.
• Great Lakes Maritime Database: Offers insights into shipbuilding and navigation on the Great Lakes.

Keywords: B.B. Jones, Chicago Shipbuilding, S.F. GALE, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th Century Wooden Vessels