1889                                   George W. Roby                              1905

Wooden Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at West Bay City MI by F. W. Wheeler & Co., Hull 45
Launched Dec 15, 1888

294’ LOA, 281’ LBP, 41’ beam, 21’6: depth
2 decks, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 850 IHP

Enrolled at Detroit MI April 9, 1889 (#50)
281.0 x 41.4 x 20.0, 1843.23 GT, 1470.30 NT     US 86031     to:
George W. Roby, Detroit MI (home port Detroit MI)
(Enrollment #51 same day to George W. Roby 2/5 and Lewis C. Waldo 3/5)

Entered service 1889

Transferred 1890 to Roby Transportation Co.  

Sold late 1895 to David Whitney Jr., Detroit MI

Sold 1896 to William S. Mack 13/32 et al., Cleveland OH (home port to Cleveland OH)

Transferred 1896 to Lakeland Transportation Co., William S. Mack, Mgr. (home port to Fairport OH)
Converted to bulk freight barge 1905 at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co.
Engine installed in str. Francis L. Robbins
Remeasured to 281.0 x 41.2 x 20.9, 1933 GT, 1675 NT

Grounded Sept 17, 1905 at Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River.  Upbound with cargo of coal towed by str. Major.  Attempt was made to lighter cargo of coal, caught fire Sept 19 during this operation.  Scuttled with dynamite to save the cargo.  Enrollment surrendered Sept 23, 1905.

W455