Smith, Kelley & Lockwood, Milan, Ohio

Smith, Kelley & Lockwood was a shipbuilding firm based in Milan, Ohio, a small town located along the Huron River near Lake Erie. During the mid-19th century, Milan emerged as a key player in the regional shipbuilding industry, largely due to its access to waterways and its role in the booming grain trade facilitated by the Milan Canal, which connected the town to Lake Erie.

Milan, Ohio: A Shipbuilding Hub

In the 1840s and 1850s, Milan was one of the busiest grain ports in the United States, with more grain passing through its canal system than almost any other port in the country. This economic boom led to the development of supporting industries, including shipbuilding, as vessels were needed to transport grain and other goods from Milan to major Great Lakes ports like Cleveland, Buffalo, and Detroit.

Smith, Kelley & Lockwood’s Role

While specific details about the number and types of vessels built by Smith, Kelley & Lockwood are limited, they were active during this golden era of Milan shipbuilding. The company specialized in constructing wooden vessels such as schooners, scows, and barges, designed to handle the heavy freight typical of the Great Lakes trade.

Notable Vessels Associated With

• HUNTER, a two-masted wooden scow-schooner constructed in 1855. Measuring 101 feet in length and weighing 132 gross tons, the HUNTER was designed for the transport of sand and other bulk materials. The vessel served for over 30 years before capsizing in Milwaukee Harbor in 1887 due to a loading error.

Decline of Milan Shipbuilding

By the late 19th century, Milan’s prominence as a shipbuilding and grain-shipping center declined. The rise of railroads as the dominant mode of transportation, coupled with the silting of the Milan Canal, reduced the town’s importance in the regional economy. As a result, shipbuilders like Smith, Kelley & Lockwood either shifted operations to larger ports or ceased operations entirely.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Though Milan’s shipbuilding era was relatively short-lived, firms like Smith, Kelley & Lockwood played a crucial role in the economic development of Ohio and the broader Great Lakes region. Their vessels were integral to the movement of goods and materials during a transformative period in American industrial history.

Conclusion

Smith, Kelley & Lockwood represents the many regional shipbuilders that contributed to the growth of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Their work reflects the craftsmanship, ingenuity, and adaptability required to thrive in the competitive shipping industry of the 19th century. While specific records of the company’s full output may be scarce, vessels like the HUNTER serve as enduring symbols of Milan’s brief but impactful shipbuilding legacy.

If you’re interested in more about Milan’s maritime history or other vessels built in the region, I can look deeper into historical archives or related sources!