Nicholson Erie-Dover Ferry Line
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Founded | April 21, 1932 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | William M. Nicholson |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, Great Lakes region |
Key people | William M. Nicholson (founder) |
| Products | Freight shipping, ship operations, terminal and dock services |
Overlakes Freight Corporation was established as a shipping agency in New York City on April 21, 1932, by businessman William M. Nicholson. The firm operated Liberty Ship vessels during and following World War II, with the majority of these ships being acquired by the War Shipping Administration to support wartime operations. Acting as a parent company, Overlakes Freight Corporation oversaw Nicholson’s various maritime enterprises, including Nicholson Universal Steamship Company, Nicholson, Erie, Dover, Ferry Line, Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company, Aqua Terminal & Dock Corporation, and Nicholson Transit Company.
William M. Nicholson
Born in Canada on July 2, 1864, William M. Nicholson immigrated to the United States in 1882 and became a naturalized citizen three years later. Beginning his career as a marine engineer in Duluth, Minnesota, he advanced to ship captain by 1920, commanding the SS Naomi. In 1923, Nicholson initiated his first venture, Nicholson Transit Company, focusing on tugboat and barge services within the New York State Canal System.
By 1929, he broadened his operations through Nicholson's Universal Terminal Company, which managed dockyards and warehouses located in Cleveland, Ohio, and Ecorse, Michigan. To support these terminal activities, Nicholson purchased cargo vessels SS Liberty (757 tons) and SS Fellowcraft (1,640 tons) in 1930. The following year, he established the Nicholson, Erie, Dover, Ferry Line to operate the passenger ship SS Keystone (1,923 tons), providing service between River Rouge and Detroit ports.
To streamline his maritime holdings and improve operational scope, Overlakes Freight Corporation was created as a corporate umbrella for Nicholson’s shipping interests. In 1939, he founded Aqua Terminal & Dock Corporation with William F. Deane appointed as president; Deane concurrently led Aqua Terminal & Dock Corp. during this timeframe.
In 1942, Overlakes Freight Corporation absorbed Nicholson Universal Steamship Company, which managed car carriers converted for cargo transport during wartime. Additionally, Nicholson Transit Company deployed a fleet of eight Lakers-type freighters that played a key role in Great Lakes logistics throughout the war period.
Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company
Established in 1928, Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company functions as a general freight carrier with offices situated in Ecorse, Detroit, and River Rouge, Michigan. Its facility at the Port of Detroit is designated as a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ), facilitating both import and export operations. The company also operates a dry dock alongside a ship repair yard. Strategic alliances include partnerships with the Port of Detroit, Wayne County Port Authority, Ambassador Port Company, Universal AM-CAN Ltd., Great American Lines Inc., and Distribution Publications Inc.
Nicholson-Universal Steamship Company
Founded in Detroit in 1927 and divested in 1942, Nicholson-Universal Steamship Company was known for several significant vessels:
- Penobscot – originally constructed as a laker in 1895; later converted into an automobile carrier before being sold to the US government in 1943 for wartime purposes.
- SS Senator – sank in Lake Michigan in 1929 resulting in considerable cargo loss.
- Pathfinder – a Whaleback steamship acquired in 1920 and dismantled in 1933.
Nicholson Transit Company
Since 1919, Nicholson Transit Company has been operating out of Ecorse, Michigan, overseeing a fleet of ships and tugboat-barges across the Great Lakes. The company's vessels encompassed:
- Lake Traverse – initially named War Centaur (1917), served in both the US Army and Navy during World War I; acquired by Nicholson in 1936 and sold in 1943.
- Tugboats including F.J. Haynes (1895–1941), Humaconna, Liberty, Monarch (constructed in 1889; lost after a collision in 1934), and Nicholson.
- Car-ore carriers such as Roumania (built in 1887; dismantled in 1929), which was Nicholson’s inaugural ship from 1889.
- SS Mataafa – transformed from an ore carrier into an automobile transporter in 1946.
- Fleetwood – built by Bethlehem Steel in 1903 and requisitioned for military service during World War II in 1942.
During the Second World War, Nicholson Transit operated vessels like Adrian Iselin (constructed in 1914), which was chartered for wartime duties from 1943 until it was sold in 1961; this ship was eventually sunk to serve as a breakwater at the Kewaunee Power Station.
Nicholson Erie-Dover Ferry Line
Established by Nicholson in 1926, the Nicholson Erie-Dover Ferry Line provided automobile and passenger ferry services connecting Erie, Pennsylvania and Port Dover, Ontario. The company operated three ferries: Erie, Dover, and Keystone. The Keystone could accommodate up to 80 vehicles and carry 1,000 passengers. In 1929, both the Erie and Dover were lost to fires. The ferry operation discontinued in 1931 amid the economic challenges of the Great Depression.
- Ferry Vessels:*
- Erie: Originally launched as Pennsylvania in 1899 for the Erie & Buffalo line; renamed Owana in 1903; acquired by Nicholson in 1925. It measured 200.6 by 39 feet with a tonnage of 747. Converted into a coal barge by 1934 and dismantled by 1981.
- Dover: Built as Frank E Kirby (1890–1919) at Wyandotte, Michigan; dimensions were 195.5 by 30.1 feet with a tonnage of 532. Served on the Sandusky route until 1919; later renamed first Silver Spray then Dover under Nicholson’s ownership. Destroyed by fire in 1932.
- Keystone: Constructed in 1886 as City of Cleveland, renamed City of St. Ignace in 1907; sold to Western Reserve Navigation Co in 1927, then purchased by Nicholson in 1929 and renamed Keystone. Burned down in 1932 and scrapped by 1948.
World War II
Throughout World War II, Overlakes Freight Corporation played a vital role supporting the war effort by operating merchant vessels under agreements with the United States Shipping Board, Maritime Commission, and War Shipping Administration. The corporation managed Liberty ships within the U.S. Merchant Navy fleet, where Overlakes crews handled ship operations while U.S. Navy Armed Guards were responsible for deck armaments and communications systems. This collaboration bolstered critical wartime supply chains and elevated Overlakes’ standing within international shipping circles.
Overlakes Freight Corporation Ships
In the wartime and post-war periods, Overlakes Freight Corporation operated multiple Liberty ships that significantly contributed to its maritime logistics capabilities and market expansion. Key vessels included:
- Liberty Ships:**
- Vernon S. Hood (1945–1947)
- SS Coastal Archer (1946)
- SS Henry S. Sanford (1944–1946)
- SS Grover C. Hutcherson (1944–1948)
- Sherwood Anderson (post-war service)
- George A. Marr
- Frederic E. Ives
- Russell R. Jones
- Bernard L. Rodman
- Josiah Cohen
- Charles J. Finger
These vessels played a crucial role in advancing Overlakes’ business objectives and strengthening its competitive position during a pivotal era of growth within the shipping industry.