Doville Bros., Sodus, New York

The Doville Brothers were shipbuilders based in Sodus, New York, a town located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. During the mid-19th century, Sodus was a modest but important hub for shipbuilding, leveraging its access to the Great Lakes and proximity to major trade routes that connected the Erie Canal with the broader maritime network of the Great Lakes.

Shipbuilding in Sodus, NY

Sodus, like many other small ports along Lake Ontario, saw a boom in shipbuilding during the mid-1800s due to the growing demand for vessels to transport goods such as grain, coal, lumber, and iron ore across the lakes. The Doville Bros. were among the shipbuilders contributing to this industry, constructing schooners and other wooden vessels suited to the demands of lake trade.

Vessels associated with

• William Hunter, a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1863. The vessel reflects the typical construction style of the period: sturdy wooden hulls optimized for bulk cargo transport. The Doville Bros. not only built the vessel but also owned and operated it out of Cleveland, Ohio, with Captain Doville serving as its master. This dual role of builder and operator was common at the time, particularly for smaller family-run shipbuilding enterprises.

Operations and Influence

While detailed records of other vessels built by the Doville Bros. are limited, their role in the Great Lakes maritime economy would have been significant, especially during a time when schooners were the workhorses of the lakes, moving essential goods between ports. Their shipyard in Sodus likely contributed to the town’s maritime identity, which thrived until the late 19th century when larger shipyards in cities like Buffalo and Detroit began to dominate the industry.

Conclusion

The Doville Bros. exemplify the many small, regional shipbuilders that formed the backbone of the Great Lakes maritime trade during the 19th century. Their work contributed to the robust shipping network that fueled economic growth across the region. While only a few of their ships, like the WILLIAM HUNTER, are documented in historical records, their influence remains part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.