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claiming that Huron Bay was unsafe. The real reason was the loss in time of an hour or so. The result was the formation of a stock company, the "Huron Mechanics Association," subscribed to by the people of the towns surrounding Huron. Captain Augustus Walker, of the schooner Lady of the Lake, hired a horse and buggy in Sandusky, and arrived at Milan in time to attend a public meeting. Here farmers, merchants, mechanics, etc., subscribed to stock for the amount of $10,150, in $50 shares, to be paid in labor, produce, and merchandise at cost. The farmers promised to furnish four yoke of oxen and chains; others promised to haul timber at so much per foot. The entire cost of the vessel was $16,000, but because of the local labor, etc., the company did not go beyond their initial subscription. The engine and boilers were purchased second-hand, coming from the steamer Enterprise. Walker, and undoubtedly Church, built the vessel which was launched in early June 1830 and named Sheldon Thompson. Walker moved his family from Buffalo to Huron in 1830 and remained there until 1842. During this time he also engaged in the forwarding and commission business with John W. Wickham under the firm name of Wickham, Walker & Company. In 1831, Fairbanks Church built the schooner Marengo. Burton Parsons came over from Vermilion in 1832 to build the schooner Austerlitz. In 1833 Walker and Church built the steamer George Washington. She was propelled by two low pressure engines that were hauled to the lake from Pittsburgh. Transportation costs for the engines alone were $3,000. She began running in August 1833, for the Huron Steam Boat Company, with Walker in command. In the early part of October 1833, the Washington sprang a leak during a gale and stranded on Long Point, almost a total loss. Only some furniture and parts to the engine were saved. The vessel was uninsured, so Walker and the other investors lost about $60,000. In 1833, Tower Jackson and Richard E. Colt financed the building of the steamer Alice Gray. J. S. Jackson was the builder of record. She was not ready for service until the following year, at which time her name was changed to Delaware. Church and Walker built the steamer Columbus the following year. She was powered by a Binney & Warden engine from Pittsburgh. They also built the steamer United States in 1835. On June 30, 1836, Church launched the steamer Highlander, but again, her name was changed to DeWitt Clinton before she was put into service. In 1836, Church contracted with the Cleveland Steamboat Association to build a steamer. No less than three public notices appeared 55