On this day, March 9, 1907, the steel freighter CHARLES HUBBARD was launched from the Toledo Shipbuilding Company. The HUBBARD was built for the L. C. Smith Transportation Co. of Oswego, NY (United States Transportation Co.).
This was not a usual launching. Although the launching was planned and announced, no ceremony or formalities took place. In fact, an alternative date of March 16th was even announced. The reason was heavy ice and low water levels in the river. It was not certain the HUBBARD could be moved from the ways. But a day or so of mild temperatures prevailed and the launching went off with comparative ease.
CHARLES HUBBARD dated May 31, 1942
The HUBBARD measured 458 feet over all with a 52 foot beam and 28 foot depth. Capt. Ralph Lyons of Lorain brought her out but only sailed her a short time before turning her over to Capt. Frank Boyer and Capt. Lyons went on to bring out another new vessel.
CHARLES HUBBARD at Duluth around 1946
The HUBBARD later sailed for the Great Lakes Steamship Company and Wilson Marine Transit. In May 1961, Wilson sold her to the Afram Bros. Co. of Milwaukee for scrapping. She laid idle in Milwaukee until sold in 1965 to the Hudson Waterways Corp. for trade in to the US Maritime Commission on vessels in the reserve fleet. In July of 1966, they sold her to the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., for $50,536 and the HUBBARD ended her days as a movable breakwater at Burns Harbor, Indiana.
Suzette Lopez
Photo credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
