In 1888, John F. Craig, founder of the Craig Shipbuilding Company, moved his expanding interests in the building of steel hulled vessels to Toledo, Ohio. From its inception, the Toledo Shipyard constructed vessels by the dozens and had completed 61 new builds by 1905. The Toledo Shipyard was sold to American Ship Building Company in 1906, which had begun to acquire nearly every available ship repair and construction facility on the Great Lakes. Renamed the Toledo Shipbuilding Company, the yard continued to bolster significant shipbuilding capability and had produced 40 vessels by 1918 when contracted to build cargo vessels for the U.S. Shipping Board in support of World War I.

Completing 26 government builds by 1922, the yard continued to produce the finest lake cargo vessels to ply the inland seas until 1942 when commissioned to build two United States Coast Guard vessels, most notably the USCGC Mackinaw in 1944. Both Coast Guard builds were know for employing a significant female workforce and were representative of the “Rosie the Riveter” age of ship construction during World War II.

In the early 1960s, the Steinbrenner family, most notably known for operating the Kinsman Marine Transit Company, became controlling stakeholders in the American Shipbuilding Company. Ceasing operations in 1985, the American Shipbuilding Company had constructed a total of 88 vessels during their tenure in Toledo.

Assuming operational responsibility at the Toledo Shipyard in the mid-1980s, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has partnered with multiple ship repair firms to ensure the sustainability of the Toledo Shipyard.

The Toledo Shipyard is now operated by IRONHEAD Marine Inc. and employs an experienced workforce who has not only helped shape the yard’s history but  will ensure its viability in the future The Toledo Shipyard History Questions?

Contact Paul LaMarre at 419-260-9985 or plamarre@toledoportauthority.org