• Source: Frank E. Kirby

      • Frank E. Kirby (July 1, 1849 – August 25, 1929) was a naval architect in the Detroit, Michigan (United States) area in the early 20th century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest naval architects in American history.


      Biography


      Kirby was a marine engineer and architech. "He prepared plans and specifications for the refitting of the Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, and Thomas, and [was] a consulting engineer... of the transport branch of the Quartermaster's Department."
      Kirby mostly specialized in paddle-wheel and steamship design. Perhaps his most famous vessel, Tashmoo, was a paddle-wheeler launched on New Year's Eve, 1899. She was constructed by the Detroit Shipbuilding Company in Wyandotte, Mich., for the White Star Steamship Co. of Detroit. The 306-foot vessel made her maiden voyage on June 9, 1900. She would become one of the best known - and most beloved - excursion steamers on the Great Lakes.
      Kirby also is well-renowned for his design of the "Bob-Lo boats" - the Columbia and the Ste. Claire. Boblo Island was a major amusement park destination for residents of southeast Michigan (and southern Ontario, Canada) throughout most of the twentieth century. He is also considered the father of modern ice-breaking technology. He designed the D&C Navigation Co.’s armada of stately night boats, including the City of Detroit III.


      Kirby designs


      Steamer Canadiana
      Steamer Chief Wawatam
      Steamer City of Detroit III
      Steamer City of Erie
      Steamer Columbia
      Steamer SS Chicora
      Steamer Greater Detroit (1924)
      Steamer Greater Buffalo (1924) - rebuilt in 1942 as a training aircraft carrier, USS Sable (IX-81), which trained a future US President, George H. W. Bush
      Steamer Put-In-Bay
      Steamer Ste. Claire
      Steamer Tashmoo
      Steamer Seeandbee - The largest and most expensive lake cruiser at the time, later transformed into the USS Wolverine (IX-64), a training aircraft carrier that served in tandem with the USS Sable.
      Steamer Washington Irving


      References




      External links



      Frank E. Kirby (Michigan Transportation History)

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