Shipbuilder Duncan Robertson

History of Grand Haven, Michigan, and Shipbuilder Duncan Robertson

Grand Haven, Michigan: A Shipbuilding Hub

Grand Haven, located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, has a long maritime history dating back to the early 19th century. The city developed as an important center for shipbuilding, lumber, and commerce, serving as a key port for vessels transporting timber, coal, and other goods throughout the Great Lakes. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the shipbuilding industry thrived in Grand Haven, with several shipyards producing wooden steamships, schooners, and barges that supplied regional industries.

The shipbuilding boom in Grand Haven was largely driven by the logging industry, which required a fleet of durable vessels to transport lumber from the forests of Michigan to major ports like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Grand Haven’s location along Lake Michigan and access to inland rivers made it a strategic site for constructing and repairing ships. Many of the vessels built in Grand Haven were wooden-hulled steamers and sailing schooners, designed to navigate both the open waters of the Great Lakes and the shallow river systems inland.

By the late 1800s, advances in steam power and ship design led to the construction of steam barges and screw-propelled vessels, many of which were built for commercial freight service. Grand Haven’s shipbuilders, including independent builders like Duncan Robertson, contributed to this growth, supplying vessels for logging, trade, and passenger transport.

Duncan Robertson: A Notable Shipbuilder

Duncan Robertson was one of the notable shipbuilders operating in Grand Haven, Michigan, in the late 19th century. He was responsible for constructing several wooden steam-powered vessels, including the HELEN TAYLOR, which was built in 1894. Robertson’s shipyard specialized in wooden-hulled vessels designed for freight and logging operations, an industry that played a crucial role in Michigan’s economy at the time.

While not as widely known as larger shipbuilding companies in the Great Lakes region, independent shipbuilders like Duncan Robertson were essential in producing smaller, versatile vessels that served the coastal and inland waterways of the region. Many of his ships were used for logging operations, coastal trade, and local transportation.

• Helen Taylor was a typical example of Robertson’s work—a wooden steam screw barge with a broad beam and shallow draft, making it well-suited for navigating shallow harbors and river systems. The vessel went through multiple ownership changes and incidents before finally foundering in Lake Michigan in 1930.

The Decline of Shipbuilding in Grand Haven

By the early 20th century, shipbuilding in Grand Haven began to decline due to several factors:

• The transition from wooden to steel-hulled ships, which required larger and more modern shipyards.
• The decline of the lumber industry, which had once fueled demand for steam barges and schooners.
• The rise of railroads and modern transportation, which reduced reliance on Great Lakes shipping for certain goods.

Despite this decline, Grand Haven remains an important historical site with a rich maritime heritage, celebrated through institutions like the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and various local maritime festivals. Many historic ships and shipwrecks from the region, including those built by Robertson and his contemporaries, remain part of Great Lakes shipwreck history.

Conclusion

Duncan Robertson was one of the many shipbuilders who contributed to Grand Haven’s prominence in maritime trade and ship construction in the late 19th century. His work, including the HELEN TAYLOR, highlights the importance of local shipbuilders in supporting the industries that shaped the economy of the Great Lakes. Although the shipbuilding industry in Grand Haven eventually declined, its legacy lives on in the many vessels that once sailed the region and the shipwrecks that now rest beneath the waters of Lake Michigan.