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Ottawa County Time Traveler Eastern Ottawa County Past & Present September 2024 |
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by Linda Higgins Even most of us who aren’t Port Clinton natives are familiar with the Matthews name, due to the vision and perseverance of one Scott Jeremiah Matthews. He founded the Matthews Boat Company in 1890, in Bascom, Ohio. The company made small, slim boats available to the boating public that were open in design, with mahogany and wicker fittings. Their 2½ hp [horsepower] gasoline engines, then a new concept, were made by the Lozier Company and allowed the boats to move at 5 mph! In 1900, Lozier had Matthews build a 31-foot boat, Beulah, boasting a 6 hp, 2-cycle engine. It traveled from Toledo, OH to Plattsburg, NY at 8 mph. This was considered a real feat because gas-powered engines were known to explode, making the engine stop or clog. Sometimes they might not ignite because of the wrong air mixture, or the gas mixture might cause vapors that spewed oil and dirt over the boat. In 1912, William Scripps, president of Scripps Motor Company in Detroit, asked Matthews to build a 35-foot boat capable of crossing the Atlantic. Detroit traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, making it the first gas-powered boat to cross the Atlantic. In 1913, Matthews built the 110-foot Aeldgytha, the largest boat that the company would build. It was the first of its size with American-built diesel engines, and needed fewer crew members than a steam-powered yacht of that size, being far less labor-intensive. Matthews also designed a leverage system that made it possible for just one person to operate a clutch for a reverse gear, as well as the throttle and spark. He installed this system, as well as electric light and steam heating systems, on his personal 74-foot boat, Onward, which he launched in 1905. He and his family made a successful 9,000-mile trip in this vessel, prompting a group of Port Clinton businessmen to offer Matthews free land here on which to build his company. Now based here, Matthews also began to supply the U.S. Navy with subchasers during World War I. By World War II, the company was building LCPs [Landing Craft Personnel] and LCVPs [Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel] with and without ramps, [also known as Higgins Boats.] Matthews was also building launches, subchasers and other small boats for the war effort. These were built from the detailed prints, drawings and parts lists supplied by Higgins Industries. Higgins supplied over half the wartime vessels through Matthews and other boat builders, but incomplete records make exact numbers unavailable. The U.S. Navy is on record, however, as having purchased $7,827,000 in major war contracts from Matthews during World War II. Meanwhile, due to the excellent Matthews reputation, Charles Ringling and J.W. Packard had bought some of the early boats. Matthews also built production-line boats for less affluent yachtsmen. Well-constructed and attractive, the boats had a solid following. However, by 1924, to keep the company’s talented employees working without the layoffs typical of the boat-building industry, Matthews introduced the world’s first production cruiser. This same basic design remained from 1924 through the 1960s, with a few improvements and changes, including length. Different models were offered, but all were based on the same hull design. Matthews no longer offered custom building after they began production boats, but they always tried to follow customers’ requests for personal adaptations. When Scott Matthews died in 1956, his son Carl continued to run the company until 1965. That year Carl sold it to Charles Hutchison. In 1969, Matthews built its first fiberglass boat, 45 feet in length and identical to their signature wood boats. By 1971, four sizes were being built. At the time Matthews was the only fiberglass production power boat in the U.S. warranting the Lloyd’s of London certificate of approval. Unfortunately, the change to fiberglass was not timely enough to beat the competition. It also was difficult for the loyal Matthews employees, true woodworking craftsmen, to make the change to fiberglass. Then, as costs rose too quickly, partially because of the 1970s oil embargo, the factory closed in 1974. Matthews Boat Company declared bankruptcy, but with its boat-building history and excellent reputation intact, its legacy remains. Use this link to see or share the article online: Linda |
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The lack of escapees from the prison on Johnson’s Island frustrated the Confederates. So, an elaborate plot to free all the prisoners on Johnson’s Island was hatched by a man named Charles Cole. Cole posed as a businessman and wormed his way into Sandusky society, while secretly on the side of the South. Patrolling the waters around Johnson’s Island was the ship U.S.S. Michigan, the first iron warship in the world. It was claimed to being the fastest too. Cole befriended the crew of the Michigan and invited them to a dinner aboard ship. He planned to drug their drinks. The ship would be boarded by a group of Confederates sneaking in from Canada and free the prisoners of Johnson’s Island. Then the Michigan would be in Confederate hands, free to attack ports on Lake Erie, and opening a new front for the Union to send troops to battle. The conspirators chose John Yates Beall, a former naval officer, spy, and guerilla warrior turned privateer, to command the group that would seize the Michigan. On September 19, 1864, a passenger ferry, the steamer Philo Parsons, set sail at 8 am from Detroit with passengers who were travelling to various Lake Erie islands and Sandusky. They were unaware there were Confederates on board. The steamer stopped at Sandwich Island in Canada and picked up more of the conspirators posing as passengers and continued on their route. A few minutes out from Kelleys Island, Beall and his confederates captured the Philo Parsons at gunpoint, armed from their trunk filled with guns and axes. Within 30 minutes the ship’s crew was forced under guard to continue sailing the ship. They landed on Kelleys Island but were forced back to Middle Bass for more wood. There, another passenger ferry, the steamer Island Queen sailed in with its passengers. The Confederates commandeered it too, leaving the passengers of both ships on Middle Bass. They sailed out, towing the Island Queen and grounded her on Gull Island. The Philo Parsons then steamed toward Johnson’s Island to complete their mission. Beall decided to wait by the lighthouse until dark, watching for the signal flare that the crew of the Michigan were incapacitated. Little did he know that two days before, their plot had been discovered by a Union spy. Johnson’s Island soldiers were put on alert. The port of Sandusky was shut down and guards were posted at the railway station watching for more accomplices. Aboard the Michigan, the Union sailors were at their battle stations and Charles Cole was placed under arrest. Meanwhile Beale and the men aboard the Philo Parsons worried as more time passed and there was no signal. Finally, his men took a vote. Two wanted to attack the Michigan without the signal and 17 did not. They all turned back to Detroit. They abandoned the Philo Parsons at the dock on Sandwich Island and sunk her. The plot had failed spectacularly. Charles Cole was imprisoned on Johnson’s Island until the end of the war. John Yates Beal was hanged in February, 1865. Johnson’s Island Prison Camp held its record of less than 10 escapees. You can use this link to read or share this article: Lorrie |
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Toledo Gem and Rockhound Club Presents: Crystals and Minerals @ Lakeview Park Wednesday, October 2, 2024 5 pm Meet at Lakeview Park - Shelter House, 1100 E Perry St, Port Clinton, OH 43452 The Toledo Gem and Rockhound Club is coming to Port Clinton. Come and enjoy a program filled with information about crystals and minerals in our area. No registration required. ________________ Guided Nature Walk @ Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve Saturday, October 5, 2024 2pm Location: 4400 E Muggy Rd., Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 Laura Rodriguez from the Black Swamp Conservancy will provide a guided nature walk at Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve. Plan to walk about a mile, so wear comfortable shoes. No registration required. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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Color Capital of the World : Growing Up with the Legacy of a Crayon Company by John W. Kropf Few things bring better memories of the first days of school than a new box of crayons. From the back cover: This book chronicles the history of the American Crayon Company in Sandusky, Ohio, and the Kropf family's role in creating and growing this remarkable firm... through precise use of portraiture, broader Sandusky history, and his own vivid recollections, Kropf tells the story of what American Crayon meant to his town and family ... in this unusual and valuable work of history. |
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This was a marketing / advertising campaign for the Ottawa County Herald, believe it or not. There were multiple references in the paper to this contest, and not all of them explained why there was this Popularity Contest for young women and girls. from the Port Clinton Herald and Republican, Sept. 2, 1910 |
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The Ohio Obituary Index is just what the name implies - an index of obituaries in Ohio's newspapers. It is accessible on the Ida Rupp Library website, under Online Resources by Subject, Genealogy. Or use this link to the Ohio Obituary Index to begin your search. Below is a copy of the landing page of this website. While great for genealogists, this site is also helpful in finding an actual date of death for those of us who do not trust our memories. |
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School supplies have changed a lot. This photo shows old school supplies, including American Crayon Company crayons - the red box in the lower right of the photo below. |
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Ida Rupp Public Library Story Walk - new landscaping, September 2024 If you didn't make it to the Ribbon Cutting for the finished Story Walk on September 12, 2024, there's still time to enjoy the beautiful weather and the new tress, flowers, and grasses along the story walk behind the library. Late afternoon may be the best time to come, so you avoid construction equipment and workers in the back parking lots. :) |
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