Thomas Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio

Thomas Quayle & Sons was a prominent shipbuilding firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The company was known for constructing durable wooden and composite vessels designed for service on the Great Lakes, specializing in steam-powered freighters, schooners, and tugs. Their shipyard contributed significantly to Cleveland’s reputation as a major shipbuilding hub during the industrial boom of the Great Lakes maritime era.

Key Contributions and Legacy:

• Shipbuilding Focus: The yard specialized in the construction of wooden-hulled steamers and large package freighters, which were crucial for transporting goods such as grain, iron ore, coal, and manufactured products across the Great Lakes.
• Transition Period Expertise: Operating during a period when the maritime industry was transitioning from sail to steam power—and from wood to steel construction—Thomas Quayle & Sons played an important role in advancing ship design and engineering.

Notable Vessels Built:

•  Chicago (1879): A wooden-hulled package freighter, later renamed ROME, which had a long and eventful career, including a collision with the schooner-barge H.W. SAGE and its eventual loss to fire in 1909.
• E.B. Hale was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built for carrying heavy industrial cargo across the Great Lakes. With a deep draft and robust structure, she was capable of transporting large shipments of raw materials (coal, iron ore, and steel).
• George Hand was a wooden propeller steam tug, built in 1868 by Hitchcock in Buffalo, New York. She was small but powerful, designed for harbour work and salvage operations. Measuring 35 feet (10.7 m) long, 13 feet (4 m) wide, and 6 feet (1.8 m) deep, she had a gross tonnage of 25 tons and was primarily used for lumber industry work and ship recovery efforts. Owned by George Hand and Gratwick, Smith & Fryer Lumber Co., she was part of a growing fleet of tugs that supported the thriving Great Lakes shipping industry.

Cleveland’s Shipbuilding Industry:

During the late 19th century, Cleveland was a key center for shipbuilding due to its strategic location on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The city’s shipyards, including Thomas Quayle & Sons, benefited from proximity to major steel mills, lumber supplies, and transportation networks. This facilitated the rapid construction of large commercial vessels needed to meet the demands of growing industries in mining, steel production, and agriculture.

Technological Advancements:

Steeple Compound Engines: Thomas Quayle & Sons equipped vessels like the CHICAGO with advanced steam engines, the 500-horsepower steeple compound engine built by Globe Iron Works. This type of engine was more fuel-efficient than earlier designs, offering better performance for long hauls on the Great Lakes.

Wooden Shipbuilding Expertise: Despite the emerging dominance of steel ships, the yard remained competitive in wooden ship construction, building robust hulls capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of Great Lakes navigation.

Decline and Legacy:

As the 20th century progressed, the demand for wooden vessels declined sharply due to the superior durability and efficiency of steel-hulled ships. Like many other traditional shipyards of the era, Thomas Quayle & Sons eventually faded from prominence as industrial shipbuilding consolidated around larger, steel-focused yards.

However, their vessels left a lasting impact, with many serving for decades under various owners. Ships like the CHICAGO (ROME) demonstrated the durability and adaptability of Quayle-built vessels, surviving collisions, fires, and even structural conversions before meeting their final fates.

Research Resources:

For more detailed historical records about Thomas Quayle & Sons, researchers can explore:

• Cleveland Public Library – Special Collections
• Great Lakes Historical Society
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Archive (www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca)
• Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Vessels Database (greatlakes.bgsu.edu)

Conclusion:

Thomas Quayle & Sons represents a significant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipbuilding. Their contributions to the maritime industry, especially through vessels like the CHICAGO, highlight the critical role that Cleveland played in the development of North American shipping during the industrial era. Their legacy endures through the ships they built and the historical records preserved in maritime archives.