Davis & Sutton – Shipping & Vessel Ownership (Buffalo, New York)

Overview

Davis & Sutton was a maritime shipping and vessel ownership firm based in Buffalo, New York, active in the mid-19th century. The company primarily owned and operated cargo vessels on the Great Lakes, likely dealing in the transport of coal, grain, lumber, and general freight between Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, and other key ports.

Notable Vessel Owned

• Brig Tuscarora (1847–1855) Built: 1847, North East, Pennsylvania Specs: 254 GT, two-masted wooden brig Loss: October 16, 1855, off Chicago due to a storm; crew rescued Davis & Sutton owned Tuscarora when she sank off Chicago while carrying a cargo of hard coal.

Buffalo, New York: A Maritime Hub

In the 19th century, Buffalo was a major shipping center, especially with the rise of the Erie Canal and Great Lakes trade routes.Companies like Davis & Sutton played a key role in moving bulk goods between the East Coast, Midwest, and Canada.

Decline & Legacy

There are no surviving records of Davis & Sutton beyond the 1850s, suggesting they were either, A short-lived shipping partnership, or Absorbed into larger maritime enterprises as the Great Lakes shipping industry evolved.

Conclusion

While little is known about Davis & Sutton, they were active shipowners in Buffalo’s Great Lakes commerce, with vessels like Tuscarora playing a role in early coal and cargo transport. Their short-lived operations reflect the competitive and often perilous nature of 19th-century lake shipping.