The Wright Line Wm Cary
2008.06.01
Wm Cary (boat)Coatoam, Genevieve (Wright)
The excursion boat William Carey was built in 1914 by the Jesiek Company of Grand Rapids for George C. Wright of Saugatuck. The boat was brought down the Grand River to Grand Haven and taken to Muskegon to show it off before traveling under its own power down the lakeshore to Holland and then Saugatuck The vessel was 48 feet long, with an 11 foot beam and was equipped with a 40 horsepower Monarch engine. The plan was to carry passengers between Saugatuck and the mouth of the river during the day. Then to take one trip a day to Lake Macatawa to bring Holland-area passengers to Saugatuck to catch the United States, the Indiana Transportation Company boat to Chicago. In the off season the vessel towed gravel scows and did other odd jobs. Business was so good that Wright bought the Wolverine in 1915 to run in connection with the Carey. In 1919 Wright moved his family to Saugatuck and in 1923 built Wright's Pavilion on Lake Street. The building (now Handled with Care) housed an ice cream parlor, a small dance floor and a waiting room and docks for the boats which departed every 20 minutes. The structure had a rounded roof outlined in lights that mimicked the Big Pavilion. Wright continued to run both boats until the early 1930s and then sold them to local interests. Otto and Sam Jesiek moved to Holland in 1919 and started a "motorboat livery and repair shop" on Black Lake near Macatawa Park more recently known as Eldean's.. This framed poem and picture of the Carey is a recent gift to the Historical Society by Genevieve (Wright) Coatoam. Source: SDHC newsletter pg 216-217.
Nautical
Schroeder, Deborah
Files Accession Number
Poor
Wright, George Cary 1881-1955Coatoam, Genevieve (Wright)Wm Cary (boat)
Notes: Photo is scratched on the surface and has cellophane tape attached to it. Poem is spotted and fading fast with cellophane tape attached to it. Both are affixed to cardboard. Status: OK Status By: Deborah Schroeder Status Date: 2008-03-31
The Launch of the William Cary There is a boat, let down the shore, A one, as no one's seen before, on the Grand River stream. It's fifty feet in length we know, A hundred passengers can go, And this is not a dream. William Cary is the name, [spelled "Carry" in original] And well built, built by men of fame, Someone, we all do know. Who's called the Jesiek Company, And fifty feet in length you see, So there is now a show. For us all to take a ride, (As least so says George C. Wright) The owner of the same. He feels proud, no wander why, Because no boat will pass him by, To lay on him a shame. It is a four thousand one, So you see this is no fun, (or Joke) what we do say. The first ones, as I understand, It's Mayor Comstock with his man, To show this boat his way. Yea, everyone will sure adore To dedicate, t'left Jesiek's shore (The ninths) The month of June, The Mayor first of Saugatuck Also his council, they struck luck, The band did play a tune. The Mayor, I think had the say, Where she should go on her first day, Muskegon number one. From there to Holland they did roam, Then Saugatuck their own good home, Believe they have some fun. But fancy this, this boat will make, A daily trip without mistake, To Holland every day. The fare how much, I do not know, Whole Saugatuck will surely go, And those that live that way. Hear! Zeeland, Holland, Saugatuck And all you farmers, here is luck, Pick out your picture day. Take out you autos to this boat, She takes one hundred to a load, And takes you either way. -S. PRAKKEN Source: SDHS newsletter insert, pages 216-217
03/31/2008
01/09/2024