The American Ship Building Company, West Bay City MI

(formerly F. W. Wheeler & Co. [1876-1899] and West Bay City Shipbuilding [1900-1908])

The Wheeler shipyard was started by Captain Frank W. Wheeler in 1876 and incorporated in 1889.  It was located on the Saginaw River, close to the Third Street bridge.  See the site from the air on Google here.  In 1900, Captain Wheeler sold it to The American Ship Building Company, who renamed it West Bay City Shipbuilding, initially, and then AmShip West Bay City.  It was closed in 1908.

Hull # Original Name Owner Type Tons Delivery Disposition

Built by Frank W. Wheeler & Co.
  Mary Martini   Steamer   1877  
  Luther Westover   Tug 125 1877  
  Christie Forbes   Steamer 51 1878  
  Hannah B   Barge   1879  
  Marian Teller   Tug 33 1879  
  C. W. Licken   Tug 36 1879  
  Lycoming   Steamer 1,609 1880  
  Conemaugh Anchor Line Steamer 1,609 1880 Wrecked 1906
  Charles Cuyler   Tug   1880  
  Maud S   Tug 45 1881  
  Saginaw Valley   Steamer 112 1881 Later Overland, abandoned 1925
  Fred McBryer   Steamer   1881  
  Handy Boy   Ferry 25 1882  
  Galatea Edward Hines Lumber Barge 825 1882 Wrecked 1905
  Osceola   Steamer 980 1882 Later Golspie, wrecked 1906
  Kittie M. Forbes John J. Boland Steamer 958 1883 Burnt 1902
  Sarah M. Smith   Tug 45 1883  
  Chester B. Jones Michigan Limestone Barge   1883 Scrapped 1924
  Frank W. Wheeler   Barge   1884  
  Alta John J. Boland Barge 936 1884 Wrecked 1905
  Tempens   Tug 14 1884  
  Waldo A. Avery   Steamer 1,294 1884  
  Thomas S. Christie Marinette Transportation Steamer 769 1885 Wrecked 1933
  A. Folsom   Steamer 841 1885 Later Trude R. Wiehe, burnt 1910
  B. W. Arnold   Steamer 944 1885  
  H. A. Hawgood   Barge 1,276 1886  
  Ossifrage Chatham Navigation Steamer 432 1886 Sank 1917
  Wm. H. Stevens Union Transit Steamer 1,332 1886 Burnt 1902
  W. R. Stafford Kelley Island Lime Steamer 744 1886 Scrapped 1931
  Mabelle Wilson Calbick Barge 1,224 1866 Foundered 1906
  Wm. H. Gratwick   Steamer 1,688 1887 Later Fleetwood, sold 1926
  Frank W. Wheeler   Steamer 1,688 1887  
  Sitka J. C. Gilchrist Steamer 1,790 1887 Sank 1904
  Gogebic   Steamer 1,620 1887  
  Mecosta General Transit Steamer 1,776 1888 Scuttled 1922
  Elfin Mere