J.L. Wolverton – Shipbuilder, Newport, Michigan

J.L. Wolverton was a prominent shipbuilder based in Newport, Michigan, in the mid-19th century. Newport, located along the western shores of Lake Erie, became a regional hub for ship construction, particularly due to its access to timber and strategic location for servicing the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes. Wolverton specialized in building wooden vessels, primarily sidewheel steamers and other lake-going craft that served both cargo and passenger needs.

Wolverton’s work is best known through the construction of the steamer Traveller in 1852. This vessel exemplified the era’s push toward steam-powered transportation on the Great Lakes, reflecting the increased demand for durable, high-capacity vessels that could carry goods and passengers across long distances. Wolverton’s expertise in constructing wooden sidewheel steamers made him a sought-after builder among regional investors who recognized the economic opportunities provided by the expanding lake transport network. Though records of other vessels built by Wolverton are sparse, his role in the construction of the Traveller cemented his legacy in Great Lakes maritime history.

• Antelope was a propeller steamship, a design well-suited for the mid-19th-century Great Lakes shipping needs. Built in 1861 by J.L. Wolverton in Newport, Michigan, it was constructed to efficiently transport bulk cargoes such as grain and lumber. With a gross tonnage of 627 tons, the ANTELOPE was a robust and sizable vessel for its time. It was initially classified as an A 2 vessel, signifying a high standard of construction and reliability.
• Traveler was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer constructed in 1852, a typical example of early steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers were a vital component of commerce and passenger transport during the mid-19th century, particularly in the expanding industrial and agricultural economy of the region.