James Davidson Shipyard: West Bay City, Michigan

Founder: James Davidson

Location: West Bay City, Michigan

Era of Operation: Late 19th to early 20th century

Specialty: Wooden bulk freighters and schooners, later transitioning to steel-hulled vessels

The J. Davidson Shipyard, established by the prominent shipbuilder James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan, was one of the most notable shipyards on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Davidson specialized in constructing large wooden-hulled freighters, known as “Davidson whalebacks” and bulk carriers, during a time when the industry was increasingly shifting toward steel construction. Davidson’s ships were known for their robust construction and often larger-than-average sizes for wooden vessels. His shipyard produced some of the last and largest wooden vessels on the Great Lakes, resisting the trend toward steel longer than most shipbuilders of his era.

Notable Construction Techniques

Davidson was known for innovating techniques that maximized the durability and carrying capacity of wooden hulls. He often used extra-thick planking and a unique system of trusses and cross-beams to give his vessels strength and stability. His construction methods allowed wooden ships to carry heavier loads, like iron ore and grain, on long routes between Great Lakes ports.

Notable Vessels

  • Appomattox was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built in 1896 by renowned shipbuilder James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. At 320 feet long, she was one of the largest wooden ships ever constructed for Great Lakes service, reflecting the transitional period when wooden freighters were still competing with steel-hulled vessels for dominance in the shipping industry. Designed to carry bulk commodities like coal, the Appomattox was a significant player in the Great Lakes freight network during her operational years.
  • Athens was a large, wooden schooner-barge designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Constructed for durability and efficiency, it was intended to be towed by steamers, enabling the movement of massive quantities of raw materials. The ATHENS exemplified James Davidson’s craftsmanship, whose designs were known for their robustness during the declining era of wooden shipbuilding.
  • Atlanta was a wooden schooner-barge built to carry bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes. Designed to operate in tandem with steamers, the vessel relied on towlines for navigation, typical of the schooner-barge system prevalent in the late 19th century. Its robust construction and significant cargo capacity made it an integral part of the Great Lakes shipping industry, particularly for hauling coal and other heavy materials
  • Australasia was a wooden bulk freight propeller steamer, a type of vessel designed for carrying large amounts of bulk cargo such as coal, grain, and iron ore across the Great Lakes.
  • City of Genoa was a large, wooden-hulled bulk freighter designed to transport heavy cargos such as grain, coal, or iron ore. Built by James Davidson, a noted shipbuilder of wooden vessels, the City of Genoa was an impressive example of late 19th-century wooden ship construction. Its substantial size and capacity made it competitive with steel vessels of the same era.
  • City of London was a wooden bulk freighter, a type of vessel built for the transportation of large quantities of bulk cargo, such as grain, coal, or iron ore, across the Great Lakes. These vessels were an essential part of the region’s commercial shipping network during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With its sturdy construction and reliable steam-powered engine, the City of London was designed to withstand the demands of Great Lakes navigation.
  • City Of Naples, later renamed Frank O’connor, was a bulk freighter built in 1892. She was part of a series of wooden freighters constructed by James Davidson, alongside her sister ships City OF GENOA and City Of VENICE. These vessels were among the last large wooden-hulled bulk carriers built before steel construction became the standard for Great Lakes freighters.
  • City of Venice, a wooden bulk freighter built in 1892. At 301 feet in length, it was an impressive wooden vessel for the time, primarily transporting bulk goods across Lake Erie. Tragically, the City of Venice met its end in a collision on Lake Erie in 1902, highlighting the vulnerabilities of wooden hulls when faced with the growing presence of steel-hulled ships.
  • Chickamauga was a wooden schooner-barge, primarily designed to transport bulk cargoes like iron ore across the Great Lakes. At the time of its launch in 1898, it was the largest schooner-barge on the lakes. Schooner-barges like the Chickamauga were towed by steamers, maximizing cargo capacity while minimizing the need for independent propulsion.
  • Douglas Houghton was a wooden-hulled steamship used primarily as a freighter for transporting lumber and other bulk cargoes. It was built at a time when the timber trade was booming in the Great Lakes region, and such vessels were essential for moving lumber from forested areas in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario to industrial centers.
  • General was a wooden vessel designed for towing and wrecking operations. With a length of 97.5 feet, a beam of 24 feet, and a depth of 10 feet, the General was a sturdy workhorse of its time. Built in 1900, it served in the challenging waters of the Great Lakes, particularly on the St. Marys River, where it was involved in numerous towing and salvage operations. Its gross tonnage of 132 tons made it a powerful and reliable vessel for its intended purposes.
  • George B. Owen was a large three-masted schooner-barge, built during the transition era from sail to steam. These vessels were designed to operate as consort barges under tow by steamers, while retaining sails for auxiliary power or emergencies. They were commonly used to haul bulk commodities like coal, lumber, and ore on the Great Lakes.
  • Richard J. Carney was primarily used in the lumber trade, transporting lumber from Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. It was typically towed by steamers, including the ONEIDA and later the NELLIE TORRENT
  • Roumania was among the largest wooden freighters of her day, built with one deck and a powerful triple-expansion steam engine — the first such engine installed in a lake bulk freighter. Her hull featured steel-reinforced boiler rooms, steam pumps, and heavy framing to resist hogging stresses. Her deck layout included a forward pilothouse, large open holds with hatches for bulk cargo, and a stern machinery space with a scotch boiler plan
  • Sacramento represented the peak of wooden shipbuilding on the Great Lakes. At over 300 feet in length she was part of a class of large wooden freighters designed to compete with the emerging steel-hulled vessels of the time. The ship featured a single propeller powered by a steam engine, optimized for hauling large cargoes efficiently across Lake Huron and beyond.
  • Tanner  was converted to a 3-masted schooner before her loss, a common modification to improve cargo capacity and handling on the Great Lakes. Barks were versatile, capable of carrying bulk freight like grain, lumber, and general goods. The TANNER was a large wooden bulk freight vessel designed for long hauls across the Great Lakes, especially in the grain trade. She served routes between Milwaukee and Buffalo, carrying wheat and other agricultural products vital to the region’s economy. Her robust wooden hull and rigging made her a typical representative of mid-19th-century Great Lakes commercial sailing vessels (with Ellsworth).
  • Vail was a wooden-hulled steambarge, a workhorse vessel designed for bulk cargo transportation. Reinforced with steel arches and diagonal straps, it was built for durability in harsh Great Lakes conditions. It featured a single screw propulsion system powered by a compound steam engine and a robust bow for navigating icy waters.
  • Kate Winslow The Kate Winslow was a large wooden three-masted schooner, designed to carry bulk cargoes like iron, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Built by James Davidson, a renowned shipbuilder in East Saginaw, Michigan, the vessel was among the larger schooners of its time, built to be used in the heavy commercial trade between the upper and lower lakes.
  • Mary Woolson was a large wooden three-masted schooner-barge built in 1888 by James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. She was one of many bulk freight schooner-barges built by Davidson, designed for towing behind steamships.  These barges extended the carrying capacity of a steamer, allowing for multiple vessels to move freight in a single tow. She hauled cargo such as coal, iron ore, or grain, which were the most common bulk goods transported on the Great Lakes.