Bay City Dry Dock and Shipyard Company

Overview

The Bay City Dry Dock and Shipyard Company was a major ship repair and construction facility located in Bay City, Michigan, along the Saginaw River. Established in the early 1870s, it became a critical part of the region’s maritime industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The dry dock supported both commercial and Great Lakes vessels, offering services like hull repairs, ship rebuilding, and maintenance.

Key Historical Timeline

• 1872: The first version of the dry dock was constructed as a floating dock.
• 1875–1876: Under the leadership of Judge Robert J. Campbell, it was converted into a ground dock, enhancing its capabilities.
• 1876: Hubbard H. Church initially built the dock before selling it to Judge Campbell.
• 1878: Bernard M. Witthauer became the manager of the Bay City Dry Dock and Shipyard Company, expanding operations significantly.
• • 1880: The dock launched the vessel George L. Colwell, showcasing its ability to construct large vessels.
• • 1883: Official directories list Bernard Witthauer as manager, with the office located at the foot of 3rd Street along the Saginaw River.

Facilities & Technical Specifications

• Location: Foot of Atlantic Street on the Saginaw River
• Dock Type: Ground Dock (converted from floating dock)
• Original Dimensions (circa 1883): Length: 306 feet Width: 55 feet at the bottom, 80 feet at the top Depth over sill: 14 to 15 feet, depending on river conditions  Water Capacity: Approximately 3.5 million gallons
• Later Expansions:  By 1923, the Bay City Dry Dock measured 316 feet overall with improvements to the gate structure and pumping system.
• Pumping System: Two centrifugal pumps with a combined capacity of 44,000 gallons per minute, capable of draining the dock in under two hours.  Powered by a 275 horsepower Corliss engine.  A smaller auxiliary pump was used for drainage and minor water removal.
•  Pontoon Gate:  Operated like a floating vessel, with internal valves to control ballast, allowing it to settle into position when needed.

Additional Facilities:

• Sawmill and Planing Mills for ship timber production
• Complete facilities for caulking, carpentry, metalwork, and hull repair

Notable Personnel

• Bernard M. Witthauer: Manager from 1878, instrumental in the company’s growth.
• Judge Robert J. Campbell: Co-owner and early investor in the dock’s expansion.
• James Ritchie (Cleveland): Designed and supervised the construction of the 450-foot extension of the dry dock.
• Edward Trahan: Foreman (1878)
• Captain P.B. Hitchcock: Contracting Agent (1879)
• Peter Depriskey, Newell Duare, Antoine Dufrene, Charles Duger, Frank Leroy: Ship carpenters and caulkers (1879)

Notable Ships Built or Serviced

• George L. Colwell (1880): A vessel built and launched from the dry dock, signifying its shipbuilding capacity beyond repair work.
• Numerous Great Lakes freighters, schooners, and tugs were serviced and rebuilt here, contributing to the booming shipping industry in Michigan during the lumber and industrial boom.

Legacy and Impact

The Bay City Dry Dock and Shipyard Company played a significant role in the economic development of Bay City, Michigan, supporting the maritime industry during a period when the Great Lakes were the industrial arteries of North America. Its advanced engineering, including the use of centrifugal pumps and pontoon gate systems, reflected cutting-edge shipyard technology of the time.

While the original dry dock facilities have since been repurposed or dismantled, the site’s legacy endures in the shipbuilding and repair techniques that shaped maritime operations on the Great Lakes.

References:

• History of Bay County, Michigan (1883)
• Bay County Past and Present by George E. Butterfield (1905)
• Great Lakes Pilot, Vol 1 (1923)
• Detroit Tribune, June 7, 1886
• The History of Cleveland and Its Environs (1918)