Burton Parsons, Shipbuilder – Vermillion, Ohio

Era of Activity: Mid-19th century

Specialty: Wooden schooners and Great Lakes vessels

Location: Vermillion, Ohio

Overview

Burton Parsons was a prominent shipbuilder based in Vermillion, Ohio, during the mid-1800s, a period when shipbuilding along the southern shores of Lake Erie flourished. Vermillion, located between Cleveland and Sandusky, was an ideal location for a shipyard, providing access to quality timber from Ohio’s forests and proximity to Lake Erie’s bustling maritime trade routes.

Parsons specialized in constructing wooden schooners, which were the backbone of commerce on the Great Lakes during this era. Schooners, with their efficient sail configurations and ability to carry bulk cargo, were vital for transporting goods like grain, lumber, coal, and salt.

Shipbuilding Achievements

• A. Medbury, a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1855. Measuring 100 feet in length, the vessel was designed for bulk cargo transport and was a prime example of Parsons’ craftsmanship. The A. Medbury served for nearly two decades before its tragic loss in 1872 after a collision on Lake Ontario.
• Australia 1862: Built in Vermilion, Ohio, by B. Parsons for the timber trade operated for 26 years, carrying timber, posts, and other cargo across Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes before it foundered in Holland, Michigan, in 1888

Role in Great Lakes Shipbuilding

Parsons’ work was part of a broader shipbuilding tradition in Vermillion, Ohio, which became a hub for schooner construction in the mid-19th century. The town’s shipyards supported the expanding economy of the Great Lakes, which was driven by industries such as logging, agriculture, and mining. Shipbuilders like Parsons contributed to this growth by providing reliable vessels that could handle the harsh conditions of the lakes and the increasing demands of commerce.

Legacy

While Vermillion’s prominence as a shipbuilding center waned with the transition to steam-powered and steel-hulled vessels in the late 19th century, Burton Parsons remains an important figure in the town’s maritime history. His craftsmanship exemplified the skill and innovation of shipbuilders during a transformative period for Great Lakes trade. The A. Medbury and other vessels constructed by Parsons played a critical role in the economic development of the region, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of American maritime commerce.

Conclusion

Burton Parsons of Vermillion, Ohio, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of 19th-century shipbuilders. His vessels, such as the A. Medbury, not only supported the burgeoning trade on the Great Lakes but also reflected the craftsmanship and dedication of the era. Today, his contributions are remembered as part of Vermillion’s rich maritime heritage.

Tags

#BurtonParsons #VermillionOhio #GreatLakesShipbuilding #19thCenturyMaritime #Schooners #AMedbury #LakeErie #ShipbuilderHistory