Simon Langell & Sons, St. Clair, Michigan

Overview

Simon Langell & Sons was a shipbuilding company based in St. Clair, Michigan, known for constructing wooden Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Specializing in steambarges, tugboats, and lumber carriers, the company played a key role in Great Lakes commerce, supplying ships for the lumber, coal, and general cargo trades.

History & Shipbuilding Contributions

• Founded by Simon Langell, a shipbuilder and marine engineer, the company operated during the peak of the Great Lakes wooden vessel era.
• Located in St. Clair, Michigan, an important shipbuilding center along the St. Clair River, which provided access to the Great Lakes shipping network.
• Focused on wooden-hulled steam-powered vessels, many of which were used in the lumber and bulk cargo industries.
• Notable for constructing and operating their own vessels, some of which remained in service for decades before being rebuilt or repurposed.

Notable Vessels Built by Simon Langell & Sons

• Langell Boys (1890) – A wooden steambarge, used primarily for lumber transport, later rebuilt in 1921 before sinking in Lake Huron in 1931.
• J.W. Hanaford (1888) – A wooden schooner barge, frequently towed by other Langell-built steamers.
• John Johnson (1891) – Another lumber schooner, operated as a companion vessel to the Langell Boys.
• Other Unnamed Tugboats & Cargo Steamers – The company constructed numerous small workboats used throughout the Great Lakes region.

Impact on Great Lakes Shipping

• Simon Langell & Sons contributed to Great Lakes industrial growth by supplying vessels for the timber, grain, and coal trades.
• Helped expand the fleet of wooden steamers, which were the backbone of regional commerce before steel shipbuilding became dominant.
• Many of the company’s vessels were rebuilt or repurposed, demonstrating their durability and craftsmanship.

Decline & Legacy

• The company operated during a time when wooden shipbuilding was declining, as steel-hulled vessels became more common in the early 20th century.
• By the 1920s-1930s, most Langell-built ships were either retired, rebuilt, or lost at sea, marking the end of an era.
• Today, shipwrecks like the Langell Boys serve as historical reminders of the company’s contributions to Great Lakes maritime history.

Why It Matters

Simon Langell & Sons represents a key chapter in Great Lakes shipbuilding history, producing durable wooden steamers that played an essential role in lumber transport, cargo shipping, and regional trade. While the company is no longer active, its ships, shipwrecks, and legacy remain significant to Great Lakes maritime heritage.