The schooner barge named HAMILTON J. MILLS was built by R. Mills & Co. in Buffalo, New York, in 1881. Originally intended for R. Mills, Ham Mills, John Humble, and Thomas Welsh, the vessel was later sold to L.B. Fortier for $23,000. It had a keel length of 160 feet, a beam width of 32 feet, and a hold depth of 12 feet. The barge had a grain capacity of approximately 35,000 bushels.
On October 26, 1881, the HAMILTON J. MILLS was launched from R. Mills & Co.’s yards. It was a schooner barge with a lumber capacity of 700,000 feet. The vessel had three masts with wire rigging and was 160 feet long, 32 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. The total cost of the barge, including outfit, was around $25,000. The vessel was considered to have a fine model and be very staunch, making it an excellent purchase according to experts in the industry.
In May/June 1882, the HAMILTON J. MILLS, along with the new steambarge A.J. WRIGHT and another barge named W.A. Sherman, arrived in port. The A.J. WRIGHT, built by Mills & Co., had a measurement of 258 tons and was valued at $25,000. The HAMILTON J. MILLS measured 509 tons and was described as a good and substantial craft. Both barges were rated A 1.
According to the Merchant Vessel List of 1885, the HAMILTON J. MILLS had a gross tonnage of 508.88 tons and a net tonnage of 483.44 tons. It was registered in Buffalo, New York, under the ownership of L.B. Fortier.
