Toledo Shipbuilding Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | Lyman C. Smith, Horace S. Wilkinson, Charles B. Calder, Alexander McVittie |
| Fate | Acquired by American Shipbuilding Company in 1945; renamed AmSouth Toledo |
| Headquarters | Toledo , United States |
| Products | Bulk freighters, icebreakers, barges |
The Toledo Shipbuilding Company operated as a shipyard situated in Toledo, Ohio.
History
Established in 1905 following the purchase of the Craig Shipbuilding Company by a consortium, Toledo Shipbuilding was backed by investors such as Lyman C. Smith (of Smith Typewriter Company), Horace S. Wilkinson (United States Transportation Company), along with Charles B. Calder and Alexander McVittie, both affiliated with American Shipbuilding Detroit. The firm was incorporated with a capital stock amounting to $1,000,000. Frank E. Kirby held the position of ship architect and engineer.
Focusing primarily on bulk freighter construction, Toledo Shipbuilding delivered vessels to overseas clients during World War I, including the French ships Tours and Limoges. Additionally, they built seven freighters originally ordered by the United Kingdom but subsequently taken over by the United States Shipping Board (USSB). In total, the company completed more than 30 ships for the USSB, among them eight Design 1020 ships. Following the post-war surplus that diminished demand for new ships, Toledo Shipbuilding transitioned to repair operations before restarting production in 1920. From that point until 1930, they manufactured 14 vessels. The onset of the Great Depression once again necessitated a return to repair-focused services.
During the Second World War, Toledo Shipbuilding was responsible for constructing significant vessels such as the USCG icebreakers Storis (1942) and Mackinaw (1944). Their last vessel built was the barge P. M. 88 in 1945. That same year marked their acquisition by competitor American Shipbuilding Company through its Delta Shipbuilding division, leading to a rebranding under the name AmSouth Toledo.