Saginaw Shipbuilding Company

This vintage postcard documents the launching of the Lake Pachuta, the first steel steamship built at the Carrollton Yard of the Saginaw Shipbuilding Company. The series of photographs, credited to A.E. Murphy, captures key moments of the vessel’s launch, including the crowd gathered at the shipyard, the ship sliding into the water, and the fully afloat vessel ready for service.

The Saginaw Shipbuilding Company, based in Carrollton, Michigan, was a key player in the region’s industrial development. The shipyard specialized in Great Lakes freighters and steamships, contributing to Michigan’s role as a major hub for shipbuilding during the early 20th century. The Lake Pachuta was likely built for use in bulk cargo transport, carrying materials such as coal, iron ore, or grain across the Great Lakes.

The Carrollton yard was part of the broader shipbuilding efforts in the Saginaw region, which benefited from its proximity to lumber, steel, and waterway access. While many of these early shipyards declined with advancements in shipbuilding technology and the rise of larger industrial operations in cities like Detroit and Bay City, images like this postcard serve as historical records of Michigan’s maritime industry and its shipbuilding legacy.