William S. Crosthwaite Bay City, Michigan

William S. Crosthwaite was a prominent shipbuilder in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century, particularly known for his contributions in Bay City, Michigan. His career is marked by the construction of several significant vessels that played vital roles in the maritime industry of the time.

Early Career and Shipbuilding Ventures

• Schooner W.S. Crosthwaite in 1873. This three-masted wooden schooner measured 197.8 feet in length, 34 feet in beam, and 13.3 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 673.20. The vessel was launched on April 31, 1873, at a cost of $50,000, and was noted for its similarity to the B.F. Bruce. 
• The Oliver L. Swift was a wooden steam tug built in 1859 by W. Crosthwaite at Buffalo, New York. Designed to tow vessels and assist with the movement of large ships through harbours or across the waterways, steam tugs played a critical role in the 19th-century shipping industry.
• Queen of the West was a 215-foot wooden propeller-driven freighter. With a beam of 33 feet and a depth of 17 feet, she had a gross tonnage of 819 and a net tonnage of 625. Her design reflected the typical characteristics of Great Lakes bulk freighters of the period—sturdy, functional vessels optimized for transporting heavy cargoes like iron ore and coal.

In 1866, Crosthwaite built another schooner named William Crosthwaite in West Bay City, Michigan. This vessel was 150 feet long, 30.2 feet in beam, and 11.8 feet in depth, featuring a three-masted design typical of the era. 

Notable Vessels and Contributions

Among Crosthwaite’s notable constructions was the wooden propeller bulk freighter Robert A. Packer, built in 1881 in Bay City, Michigan. This vessel, later renamed Batchawana, measured 209 feet in length, 33 feet in beam, and 16 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 921. The Batchawana served in the Great Lakes until it was destroyed by fire off Coppermine Point, Ontario, on Lake Superior in June 1907. 

Legacy and Impact

Crosthwaite’s shipbuilding activities significantly contributed to the maritime industry in the Great Lakes region. His vessels were integral to the transportation of goods and resources, supporting the economic development of the area during a period of rapid industrial growth. The craftsmanship and durability of his ships are evidenced by their years of service and the roles they played in regional commerce.

While specific details about Crosthwaite’s personal life and the full extent of his shipbuilding portfolio are limited, his legacy endures through the vessels he constructed and their contributions to Great Lakes maritime history.