Fruit Transport Boat J. S. Crouse

Steamer J. S. Crouse, Douglas Fruit Carrying Boat

In 1898 Saugatuck shipbuilder Captain R. C. Brittain built this 100-foot long freight steamer at his Saugatuck boatyard and named it for Douglas fruit farmer J. S. Crouse, who was one of the first Douglas residents to jump into the fruit-growing trade. In 1900 the little ship made 97 trips from nearby Pier Cove to Chicago, carrying 485,000 baskets of peaches. It ended its career at the bottom of Sleeping Bear Bay following a destructive fire in 1919.