Bailey Shipbuilding Company,

The Bailey Shipbuilding Company, operated by brothers Alanson and Daniel E. Bailey, was a prominent shipbuilding enterprise in Madison, Ohio, during the mid-19th century. Situated at Madison Dock—the northern terminus of Dock Road, now Arcola Creek Park—the company contributed significantly to the local maritime industry between 1825 and 1865. 

Notable Vessels Constructed:

• Aetna was constructed in 1865 at Madison Dock, Ohio, by a builder identified as Bailey. Originally launched as a two-masted schooner, she was rebuilt during the winter of 1875-76 in Chicago, where she was converted into a three-masted schooner. With a gross tonnage of 317 tons, the AETNA was typical of the larger schooners of the mid-to-late 19th century, used primarily for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Like many vessels of her time, she was heavily involved in the coal trade, a critical commodity for fueling the rapidly industrializing Midwest.
• A.P. Nichols (1861): Built as a bark, this vessel was later re-rigged as a three-masted schooner in 1878. It served in general trade across the Great Lakes, transporting iron ore, grain, and wood. 
• R. Hallaran was a large three-masted schooner-barge, originally built as a bark in 1880 by J. Bailey of Toledo, Ohio. By 1900, she had been converted into a schooner-barge, designed to be towed by a steam-powered vessel to carry bulk cargo.
• Tarry Not began as a traditional two-masted wooden schooner designed for bulk freight transport, typical of Great Lakes cargo vessels in the mid-19th century. Her robust build, with a cargo capacity of around 12,500 bushels, made her ideal for hauling grain, coal, and lumber across Lakes Ontario and Erie. Following her rebuild in 1873, the vessel received structural reinforcements, updating her rigging and hull design to extend her service life as the FEARLESS.
• William Young (1863): Originally constructed as a two-masted schooner, it was converted into a three-masted schooner in 1889. The vessel operated on the Great Lakes, primarily carrying coal. 

The Bailey brothers’ shipyard specialized in building schooner-scows, tugs, barks, and steamboats. Their vessels were integral to the Great Lakes’ commercial activities, facilitating the transportation of various goods and contributing to the region’s economic development.

The shipbuilding industry at Madison Dock ceased operations around 1865. However, the legacy of the Bailey brothers and their contributions to maritime history remain significant, reflecting the industrious spirit of Madison, Ohio, during that era.