J.B. Butler – Shipbuilder of Marine City, Michigan

J.B. Butler – Shipbuilder of Marine City, Michigan

Overview

J.B. Butler was a shipbuilder based in Marine City, Michigan, a significant center for Great Lakes shipbuildingduring the 19th century. Butler operated a wooden shipyard that contributed to the construction of freighters, steamers, and schooners used for trade, logging, and transportation across the Great Lakes system.

Marine City (formerly Newport, Michigan) was a major hub for wooden shipbuilding, with several firms producing cargo vessels, lumber haulers, and passenger ships. Butler’s shipyard was one of several in the region, competing with builders such as Cornwall & Lester, John Oades, and A.J. Miller.

Possible Vessels Built by J.B. Butler

Though records of specific ships built by Butler are scarce, shipyards in Marine City during the mid-to-late 19th century typically produced:

• Schooners and barges for the timber trade.
• Steam-powered sidewheelers and propeller-driven freighters.
• Passenger steamers for the Detroit, Saginaw, and Chicago trade routes.
• Tugboats for use in harbors and logging operations.

Given Marine City’s prominence, Butler likely built vessels similar to those constructed by Cornwall & Lester and other regional shipyards.

Marine City, Michigan: A Key Shipbuilding Hub

During the 19th century, Marine City was known for producing high-quality wooden vessels for Great Lakes trade and industry. Shipbuilders in the region relied on Michigan’s abundant timber resources, crafting schooners, barges, and steam-powered freighters.

Many Marine City-built vessels served in:

• Lumber transport, moving logs from Michigan forests to Detroit, Buffalo, and Chicago.
• Bulk freight service, hauling grain, coal, and iron ore.
• Passenger and ferry routes between Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior ports.

J.B. Butler contributed to this legacy of shipbuilding, supplying vessels for commerce and industry on the Great Lakes.

Further Research and Resources

• Marine City Museum (Marine City, MI) https://marinecitymuseum.org Contains historical records on Marine City shipbuilders, including J.B. Butler.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Lists shipbuilding records, vessel registrations, and shipowners from Marine City.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org May have documentation on vessels built by Butler that were later lost in the Great Lakes.
• Library of Congress – Historic American Engineering Record May include shipbuilding contracts or shipyard details for Butler’s operations.

Conclusion

J.B. Butler was a shipbuilder in Marine City, Michigan, contributing to the construction of wooden schooners, barges, and steamers during the 19th century. While specific vessels linked to Butler remain unclear, his work was part of Marine City’s rich maritime heritage, supplying ships for Great Lakes trade, logging, and industry. Further research in shipbuilding archives may uncover more details about his contributions to the Great Lakes maritime economy.