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Page 4 AUTO CARRIERS ON THE GREAT LAKES T. J. McCARTHY FLEET By Kathy McGraw Spring arrives on the Great Lakes and Seaway when crews return to their vessels and begin fitout. When smoke rises from the stacks, boat-watchers gather to see which fleets will be the first to sail. In Detroit the T.J. McCarthy auto carriers usually sailed the first week of April, delivering autos to Cleveland and Buffalo. The T.J. McCarthy Steamship Company was formed in 1935 by Timothy Joseph McCarthy, Sr., Sparkman Deats Fosters and John Paul Ranahan. Mr. McCarthy, Sr. had learned the auto carrier business by working for Nicholson Transit Company from 1922 to 1931. McCarthy left Nicholson and transferred his knowledge to the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company. The fleet's sidewheel steamers earned passengers and autos to Lake Erie ports with McCarthy handling the auto freight. The D&C sidewheelers were limited as to how many autos they could carry, so McCarthy partnered with Foster and Ranahan to form their own company. In 1935 they chartered the GEORGE W. MEAD and converted her to carry autos. The MEAD had previously carried paper, which was easily loaded via gangway doors and 'tween decks'. The chartering of the MEAD was originally for a short period, however, business grew and in 1936, the MEAD was purchased by McCarthy and his partners. GEORGE W. MEAD & T.J. MCCARTHY at Detroit dock. Photo from Greg Rudnick Collection