IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name: MALTON (formerly E.M. PECK)
  • Type: Bulk Propeller (Composite Construction)
  • Official Canadian Number: 130439
  • Original U.S. Number: 135983
  • Built: May 3, 1888
  • Shipyard: Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding, Detroit, Michigan, USA
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 252.6 feet (76.99 meters)
    • Beam (Width): 40.3 feet (12.28 meters)
    • Depth: 18.6 feet (5.67 meters)
    • Gross Tonnage (GT): 1,809 (initial); 1,651 (Canadian registry)
    • Net Tonnage (NT): 988 tons (Canadian registry)
  • Propulsion: Steam-powered screw propeller, 103 horsepower
  • Material: Composite (wood with steel reinforcements)
  • Home Port: Sarnia, Ontario (later Toronto, Ontario)
  • Owners (Chronological):
    • E.M. PECK: Multiple U.S. owners during its early years.
    • Renamed MALTON: Alfred E. Matthews, Toronto, Ontario, 1915.
    • Final Owners: Abraham Newman & Joseph Levin, St. Catharines, Ontario (1930s).

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The MALTON was a composite-built bulk propeller, a type of vessel widely used for transporting bulk goods, such as coal, grain, and other commodities, across the Great Lakes. The composite construction combined a wooden Hull with steel reinforcements, allowing for increased cargo capacity while maintaining structural integrity. It was powered by a Screw Propulsion system, driven by a 103-horsepower steam engine.

HISTORY

  • As E.M. PECK (1888–1915):
    • Built in 1888 at the Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding Yard, the E.M. PECK began its career as a bulk propeller, serving the industrial needs of the U.S. Great Lakes shipping industry.
    • It operated under several owners, primarily hauling goods between major Great Lakes ports.
    • Renowned for its size and capacity, the vessel exemplified the advancements in Great Lakes shipbuilding during the late 19th century.
  • Renamed MALTON (1915–1935):
    • The vessel was sold to Canadian interests in 1915, renamed MALTON, and registered under the Canadian flag (Official Number 130439).
    • Alfred E. Matthews of Toronto was its first Canadian owner, later sold to Abraham Newman and Joseph Levin of St. Catharines, Ontario, by the 1930s.
    • During its Canadian service, the MALTON transported bulk cargoes, supporting regional trade and commerce on the Great Lakes.
  • Decommissioning and Dismantling:
    • By the early 1930s, advancements in steel-hulled ships rendered composite vessels like the MALTON obsolete.
    • The vessel was decommissioned and dismantled at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in 1935. The dismantling process marked the end of a nearly 50-year career on the Great Lakes.
  • FINAL DISPOSITION

Fate: The MALTON was dismantled, with its machinery and other valuable components salvaged. The Hull and remaining materials were likely scuttled or left to deteriorate near the dismantling site.

SIGNIFICANCE

The MALTON’s career highlights the transitional period in Great Lakes shipping, bridging the era of composite vessel construction and the dominance of steel-hulled freighters. It represents:

  • Technological Evolution: A prime example of composite construction, designed for efficiency in the late 19th century.
  • Maritime Trade: The vessel’s long service life underscores the importance of bulk carriers to regional commerce on the Great Lakes.
  • Cultural Legacy: As one of the last significant composite-built freighters to operate on the lakes, the MALTON’s story illustrates the rapid changes in shipbuilding and transportation technology during its time.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Institute for Great Lakes Research (Perrysburg, Ohio): Historical records on the Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding Master List.
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Documentation on vessels broken up or lost in the Great Lakes.
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Provides context and details about Great Lakes bulk carriers.
  • Canadian Government Vessel Registry: Information on Canadian-registered vessels as of December 31, 1920, and 1935.

KEYWORDS

MALTON, E.M. PECK, Great Lakes Bulk Carrier, Port Dalhousie shipbreaking, Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding, composite vessel construction, Lake Ontario maritime history.

CONCLUSION

The MALTON, originally the E.M. PECK, exemplifies a key period in the evolution of Great Lakes shipping. Its transition from a U.S. Bulk Carrier to a Canadian freighter and its ultimate dismantling in Port Dalhousie reflect broader changes in maritime trade and shipbuilding practices. Though no longer afloat, the vessel’s legacy remains a testament to the ingenuity and industriousness that defined Great Lakes maritime history.