The Great Lakes Engineering Works (GLEW) was formed in the Detroit Metro area in 1902. Their Downriver shipyard, encompassing the Ecorse / River Rouge border, was open for vessel construction by 1905. Within only a few years of the opening, the company was already building fifty percent of the gross tonnage of all ships sailing the Great Lakes.
A major breakthrough was produced on the GLEW line, courtesy of the Wilson Transit business: the 604-foot SS William C. Atwater at the River Rouge site: the first vessel of its type with "full-size hatches (that) have single-piece steel hatch covers." Sizes were gradually increased as technology improved and new methods of construction and design were started and implemented.
Commissioned by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company and the U.S. Maritime Commission, GLEW was initially contacted to construct 21 ore freighters. Its initial success was forseen when the company formed, anticipation high that GLEW would become the largest shipbuilding facility in the Great Lakes Region.
A major breakthrough was produced on the GLEW line, courtesy of the Wilson Transit business: the 604-foot SS William C. Atwater at the River Rouge site: the first vessel of its type with "full-size hatches (that) have single-piece steel hatch covers." Sizes were gradually increased as technology improved and new methods of construction and design were started and implemented.
Commissioned by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company and the U.S. Maritime Commission, GLEW was initially contacted to construct 21 ore freighters. Its initial success was forseen when the company formed, anticipation high that GLEW would become the largest shipbuilding facility in the Great Lakes Region.
The SS Wyandotte, 364 feet in length, was launched from the Ecorse site in 1908 and was the first major vessel of note from this facility: a self-unloader which would make it the prototype for more vessels to come from GLEW. In the following years, they would construct seven new ships of “full canal dimensions and rather deep draft,” which would continue the evolution of size and ability of future fleets.
The GLEW created opportunity for other companies and played a large wartime role during the company’s fifty-eight-year span. Many shipping companies hoped that the skilled craftsmanship of the GLEW would help establish their firm as a major contender within the Great Lakes shipping industry.
The GLEW created opportunity for other companies and played a large wartime role during the company’s fifty-eight-year span. Many shipping companies hoped that the skilled craftsmanship of the GLEW would help establish their firm as a major contender within the Great Lakes shipping industry.
It did so in 1925, under the direction of Wilson Transit, with the construction of the SS William C. Atwater at the River Rouge site. This 604 foot vessel was “the first ship with full-size hatches [that] have single-piece steel hatch covers.” By 1957, plans were made to build the largest ore carrier to maneuver the Lakes.
About that time came GLEW's most famous vessel: Hull #301, better known as the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, launched June 7, 1958 from the River Rouge Yard. Breaking records even before launch with her 729 foot length and ability to carry 26,800 long tons through the river and lakes, she would earn the name "Queen Of The Lakes" throughout her 17-year career. The ship would be christened by Mrs. Edmund Fitzgerald, who broke the champagne bottle on Fitzgerald ’s bow in front of a crowd of over 15,000 people. Her launch was the first of a series of "maximum seaway-size" freighters on the Great Lakes.
Despite the outstanding success and history of GLEW based on technology and design innovations, its stockholders decided to dissolve the company and make it a division of Great Lakes Steel Corporation. The vote would take place on April 30, 1961.
About that time came GLEW's most famous vessel: Hull #301, better known as the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, launched June 7, 1958 from the River Rouge Yard. Breaking records even before launch with her 729 foot length and ability to carry 26,800 long tons through the river and lakes, she would earn the name "Queen Of The Lakes" throughout her 17-year career. The ship would be christened by Mrs. Edmund Fitzgerald, who broke the champagne bottle on Fitzgerald ’s bow in front of a crowd of over 15,000 people. Her launch was the first of a series of "maximum seaway-size" freighters on the Great Lakes.
Despite the outstanding success and history of GLEW based on technology and design innovations, its stockholders decided to dissolve the company and make it a division of Great Lakes Steel Corporation. The vote would take place on April 30, 1961.