Barry Brothers Transportation Co.

Barry Brothers Transportation Co. was a maritime transport company based in Chicago, Illinois, that operated on the Great Lakes. By the early 20th century, the company had established itself as a key player in freight transportation, specializing in carrying bulk goods like grain, coal, and lumber, essential to the thriving industrial economy of the region.

History with the Badger State

In 1902, Barry Brothers Transportation Co. acquired the Badger State, a propeller-driven steamship originally built in 1862. Under their ownership, the vessel continued its role in carrying bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. During this period, the Badger State underwent several modifications to adapt to the evolving demands of the shipping industry. For instance, in 1906, the ship was converted into a lumber carrier, reflecting the economic importance of timber in the early 20th century.

Operations

Barry Brothers Transportation Co. utilized vessels like the Badger State to connect key ports across the Great Lakes, including Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, and Cleveland. The company’s fleet helped transport raw materials to industrial centers, playing a vital role in supporting the steel, construction, and manufacturing industries that defined the economic landscape of the Great Lakes region.

Demise of the Badger State

• Badger State faced its tragic end in 1909. While docked in Marine City, Michigan, the ship caught fire and was set adrift to prevent the blaze from spreading to other vessels. The ship burned to the waterline and ultimately grounded on Harsens Island. The loss marked the end of the Badger State’s long and eventful service history.
• Gordon Campbell was a wooden-hulled package freighter with steel reinforcement, designed for transporting both bulk goods and general freight across the Great Lakes. As a screw-propelled vessel with twin engines and twin screws, it was among the more advanced wooden freighters of its era, capable of handling the increasingly heavy demands of Great Lakes commerce.

Legacy of Barry Brothers Transportation Co.

Barry Brothers Transportation Co.’s operations during the early 1900s reflect the critical role of maritime freight in connecting regional economies within the Great Lakes. Companies like Barry Brothers were instrumental in supporting trade and industrial growth, although their prominence declined with the advent of railroads and more advanced shipping technologies.

For researchers and maritime historians, Barry Brothers Transportation Co. offers a glimpse into the economic and logistical complexities of Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their connection to the Badger State is a notable chapter in this broader narrative.