SS William G. Mather (1905)

	The launch of the William G. Mather
History
United States
Name	William G. Mather (1905–1925); J.H. Sheadle (1925–1955); H.L. Gobeille (1955–1965); Nicolet (1965–1996);
Namesake	William G. Mather;
Operator	Grand Island Steamship Company (Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., Mgr.) (1905–1919); Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company (1919–1964); Gartland Steamship Company (1964–1969); American Steamship Company (1969–1996);
Port of registry	United States, Ishpeming, Michigan (1905–1919); Fairport, Michigan (1919–1932); Wilmington, Delaware (1932–1996);
Builder	Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Michigan
Yard number	9
Laid down	May 18, 1905
Launched	September 23, 1905
Completed	1905
In service	1905
Out of service	1996
Identification	U.S. Registry #202542; IMO number: 5139076;
Fate	Scrapped in Port Maitland, Ontario, in 1996
Notes	In 1974 she had a new diesel engine installed by Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City, Michigan
General characteristics
Tonnage	6,838 GT; 5,183 NT;
Length	533 ft (162 m)
Beam	60 ft (18 m)
Height	31 ft (9.4 m)
Installed power	2 x Scotch marine boilers
Propulsion	2,000 hp (1,500 kW) triple expansion steam engine
Speed	10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Notes	The William G. Mather was the first Great Lakes freighter to have a 60 ft (18 m) beam

The SS William G. Mather was a 533-foot (162 m) long Great Lakes freighter that was built in 1905, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works (GLEW) of Ecorse, Michigan, for the Grand Island Steamship Company (managed by Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company). Her keel was laid on May 18, 1905. She was launched on September 23, 1905, as hull #9. The ship was named after William G. Mather, the Cleveland-Cliffs executive. She was powered by a 2,000-horsepower (1,500 kW) triple expansion steam engine which was attached to a single fixed-pitch propeller. She was fueled by two coal-fired Scotch marine boilers.

She entered service in January 1905, and was the first Great Lakes freighter with a 60-foot (18 m) beam.

History
The launch of the William G. Mather
United States
Name	William G. Mather (1905–1925) J.H. Sheadle (1925–1955) H.L. Gobeille (1955–1965) Nicolet (1965–1996)
Namesake	William G. Mather
Operator	Grand Island Steamship Company (Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., Mgr.) (1905–1919) Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company (1919–1964) Gartland Steamship Company (1964–1969) American Steamship Company (1969–1996)
Port of registry	United States, Ishpeming, Michigan (1905–1919) Fairport, Michigan (1919–1932) Wilmington, Delaware (1932–1996)
Builder	Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Michigan
Yard number	9
Laid down	May 18, 1905
Launched	September 23, 1905
Completed	1905
In service	1905
Out of service	1996
Identification	U.S. Registry #202542 IMO number: 5139076
Fate	Scrapped in Port Maitland, Ontario, in 1996
Notes	In 1974 she had a new diesel engine installed by Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City, Michigan
General characteristics
Tonnage	6,838 GT 5,183 NT
Length	533 ft (162 m)
Beam	60 ft (18 m)
Height	31 ft (9.4 m)
Installed power	2 x Scotch marine boilers
Propulsion	2,000 hp (1,500 kW) triple expansion steam engine
Speed	10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Notes	The William G. Mather was the first Great Lakes freighter to have a 60 ft (18 m) beam