1862                                   Empire State     2                                1916

Wooden Great Lakes passenger and package freight vessel

Built at Buffalo NY by Mason & Bidwell
Launched April 5, 1862

220’ LOA, 212’ LBP, 33’ beam, 18’6” depth
1 deck, coal-fired boiler, high pressure engine, 500 IHP

Enrolled at Buffalo NY May 3, 1862 (#43)
210’10 1/2” x 32’4” x 13’2”1/2, 860 83/95 tons     to:
Charles Ensign, Buffalo NY (home port Buffalo NY)

Entered service May 8, 1862 operating between Buffalo NY and Milwaukee WI

Sold 1864 to Western Transportation Co., Buffalo NY

Remeasured 1865 under Act of May 6, 1864 (new measuring rules) to 212.0 x 32.7 x 12.2, 1116.53 tons (962.80 NT 1882) (to 2 decks)     US 7229  

Repowered 1868 with fore and aft compound engine

Fleet renamed Western Transit Co. 1884

Sold 1898 to Northern Transit Co., Cleveland OH (home port to Cleveland OH)

Operated between Cleveland OH and Ogdensburg NY 1898 and 1899 seasons

Operated between Buffalo NY amd Menominee MI 1900 season

Sold 1902 to Barry Bros. Transportation Co., Chicago IL

Repowered 1904 with steeple compound engine

Register closed 1907.  Dismantled and used as an unregistered lighter at Muskegon MI. 

Sold 1911 to Sturgeon Bay Stone & Transportation Co., Sawyer WI.

Reenrolled as unrigged barge 637 GT for stone trade

Scrapped 1916

W072