Ship Report: FRANK J. BAPST / SQUAW / C.F. COUGHLIN

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Original Name: FRANK J. BAPST

• Other Names: SQUAW, C.F. COUGHLIN

• Type: Steam Screw Vessel

• Year Built: 1895

• Builder: Buffalo, New York

• Dimensions:

• Length: 59.4 feet (18.1 meters)

• Beam: 17.3 feet (5.3 meters)

• Depth: 6.9 feet (2.1 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 42.39 tons

• Net Tonnage: 28.83 tons

• Propulsion: Steam screw, powered by a 60 IHP engine

• Crew: 3 members

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The vessel was a small steam screw Towboat designed for assisting larger vessels and transporting goods. Initially named FRANK J. BAPST, it operated out of Buffalo, New York, serving in the busy shipping lanes of the Great Lakes. Its small size and maneuverability made it well-suited for tow service.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

Initial Service

• 1895:

• Built and launched in Buffalo, New York.

• Operated as FRANK J. BAPST, registered under a Gross Tonnage of 42.39 tons.

• Primarily engaged in towing operations, facilitating commerce and transportation in the Great Lakes region.

First Name Change to SQUAW

• By 1915:

• Renamed SQUAW as recorded in the Merchant Vessel List of 1915.

• Continued in tow service, operating with specifications largely unchanged.

• Known for efficient maneuvering and reliable service.

Final Name Change to C.F. COUGHLIN

• By 1925:

• Renamed C.F. COUGHLIN, as per the Merchant Vessel List of 1925.

• Owned by the Conlon Canal Line, it remained in tow service, assisting with transportation needs in the Great Lakes region.

• Continued operations under the same specifications and propulsion system.

SERVICE ROLE AND OPERATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

The vessel served as a Towboat throughout its operational life, likely playing a role in assisting larger vessels navigating narrow waterways and canals. It was owned by several entities, reflecting the versatility and long-lasting utility of such vessels in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes.

SOURCES & EXTERNAL LINKS

• Merchant Vessel Lists:

• 1897 (Steam Vessels)

• 1915

• 1925

• Great Lakes Ships Website

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website

• American Bureau of Shipping, Great Lakes Department

• Buffalo Evening News, September 28, 1897 & October 5, 1897

• Marine Review (Cleveland, OH), May 30, 1895

• 1903 Blue Book of American Shipping

• Green’s Marine Directory of the Great Lakes (1919)

• Mitchell & Co.’s Marine Directory of the Great Lakes (1912)

CONCLUSION

The vessel known by multiple names—FRANK J. BAPST, SQUAW, and C.F. COUGHLIN—represents a key part of the working fleet on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its long service life, multiple ownerships, and steady tow operations reflect the robust design and importance of steam screw vessels in supporting commerce and navigation in the region.