Campbell & Owen Shipyard, Detroit, Michigan

(Established: 1850s – 1900s)

Overview of Campbell & Owen Shipyard

The Campbell & Owen Shipyard was a key shipbuilding company based in Detroit, Michigan, during the mid- to late-19th century. Known for producing a range of vessels, including wooden schooners, barges, and steam-powered boats, the shipyard played an important role in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

History and Operations

The shipyard was founded in the 1850s by William Campbell and E. Owen, two prominent figures in Detroit’s industrial growth. It quickly became one of the leading shipyards in the region, benefiting from Detroit’s strategic location on the Detroit River and proximity to major Great Lakes trade routes.

Key Vessels Built by Campbell & Owen Shipyard

Campbell & Owen Shipyard built a variety of vessels, but it became particularly well known for its schooners and sailing ships. The yard produced sturdy and reliable ships, many of which were used for cargo transport—especially for bulk commodities like lumber, coal, and grain.

Notable Vessels Associated with the Shipyard:

• Joseph L. Hurd was a wooden-hulled package freighter, later converted into a steam barge during her long career on the Great Lakes. Originally designed for mixed cargo transport, she adapted over time to meet the changing demands of the maritime industry, including service in the stone trade, lumber trade, and towing operations.
• Swallow (1863, 3-mast schooner): is perhaps the most famous vessel built by the shipyard. It became a part of the Great Lakes fleet, only to meet its fate after grounding in a storm in 1889. The vessel was abandoned as a wreck, and its loss was a blow to the region’s fleet of sailing vessels.
• Stranger was a wooden-hulled tug (towboat), featuring a fantail stern, a design that improved water displacement and maneuverability. Primarily used for towing, salvage, and lighthouse construction support, the STRANGER was a versatile vessel, typical of work boats on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
• 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.

Shipyard Contributions to Great Lakes Shipping

The Campbell & Owen Shipyard was essential for the booming Great Lakes shipping industry, where the Detroit River acted as a central hub for waterway transportation, connecting the Upper Great Lakes to the Lower Great Lakes. Its vessels were integral to the movement of raw materials, including lumber, iron ore, and grain, between key port cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo.

These ships helped create the foundations for the industrialization of the region, enabling large-scale trade in the rapidly growing American economy.

Legacy and End of Operations

The exact timeline for the closure of the Campbell & Owen Shipyard is unclear, but it is believed that the yard ceased operations sometime in the early 1900s as larger, more modern shipyards took over shipbuilding in the region. Despite its relatively short operational period, the shipyard’s contribution to Great Lakes shipping was significant, especially as Detroit continued to grow as a key industrial and maritime center.

Conclusion

The Campbell & Owen Shipyard holds an important, though perhaps understated, place in the history of Great Lakes shipbuilding. With its production of strong, reliable vessels, it supported the growth of Detroit and the surrounding industrial region. Ships like the SWALLOW, which played a role in Great Lakes trade, continue to represent the legacy of this influential shipyard. While the shipyard itself may have faded with time, its contributions to the development of maritime commerce and the growth of Detroit remain a vital chapter in the history of the Great Lakes.