They built ocean-going vessels here, 300 miles away from any ocean. How could that be? It's what I call a Marietta-ism: a combination of amazing skills, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and river access. Ships were built here, floated down to the Gulf of Mexico, and sailed out into the world. People in European ports knew of Marietta before some in the Eastern U.S. did. A history marker at Front and Greene Streets, tells the story:
“One of the first industries in Marietta was shipbuilding. Due to the abundance of trees and the shipbuilding talent of the New England settlers, twenty-nine ocean-going vessels were built in eight shipyards from 1800 to 1812. In 1845 shipbuilding resumed and seven more vessels were constructed. The last ship left dry dock in 1847. The first vessel built was the 110-ton brig St. Clair, captained by Commodore Abraham Whipple.... a noted Revolutionary War naval officer..."
The Muskingum River waterfront became a bustling industrial area. There were several shipyards between Muskingum Park and the Ohio River, employing dozens and creating wealth for many. Three rope works provided needed rigging for sails. David McCullough in The Pioneers: "The summer of 1807 saw two ships, three brigs, and two schooners being built at one time."
Many prominent names were active in shipbuilding including Charles Greene, Jonathan Devol, Abner Lord, and Joseph Barker. Benjamin Ives Gilman and master builder James Whitney ran a facility in Harmar; Whitney's home still stands on Fort Street.
Future growth seemed assured, but it wasn't. The industry received a devastating blow when President Jefferson convinced Congress to pass the Embargo Act in 1807 which shut down exports from U.S. ports. The Act was intended to punish Britain and France for interference with U.S. merchant ships.
Shipbuilding here and elsewhere stopped abruptly. The local economy went into a years long slump. Yards closed; some left the business. Builder Abner Lord was embittered by losses and finally moved away. He made a rant-like inscription in a family bible which concluded: "...my family should at all times...bear testimony that this cruel policy of Jefferson...has been destructive to our interest & living."
Abner was mostly right; the Embargo Act failed to change British and French behavior and stunted the national economy. Congress repealed it in 1809. But the damage was done.
One chapter of shipbuilding closed in 1807; that same year a new type of boat made a pioneering voyage. That ushered in a new chapter of Marietta shipbuilding that would last for decades: steamboats. Steamboats were a transformational innovation – the first truly self-propelled vessel. The Navigator publication 1811 edition glowingly described this new type of boat: “There is a new mode of…boats propelled by the power of steam…a novel sight…seeing a huge boat without the appearance of sail, oar, pole…propelled by unseen power!”
Marietta became a steamboat construction juggernaut. More than 100 steamboats were built here, many more were repaired or renovated. The Knox Boatyard was sold in 1903 and closed a few years later, ending an amazing run of 70 years.
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