The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

: The Detroit ) Marine Historian Journal of Marine Historical Society of Detroit Volume 29, No.5 January, 1976 * Rev. E.J.Dowling, S.J. Interim Editor 4001 W.McNichols Rd., Detroit, Mi. 48221 THE REED FLEET OF ERIE The EMPIRE STATE General Charles M.Reed of Erie, Pa. brought together in the Forties and Fifties, one of the first so-called "fleets" on the Great Lakes. More than twenty-five vessels, mostly sidewheelers, are known to have been either owned, or operated or chartered by this gentleman. In the group are some of the better known big vessels of that time. The following steamships are known to have been part of General Reed's Great Lakes maritime empire. We believe there may have been more ships involved. Information in this regard will be welcome. ALBANY, wooden sidewheeler, built in 1866 at Detroit. 669 tons, o.m. Stranded and wrecked near Presque Isle, Lake Huron, 11-25-1953. BALTIC, 1847 Buffalo by Bidwell and Banta. Wooden sidewheeler, 225 x. 504x.- 12 825 tons, o.m. Sngines removed and hull made Lost off Long Point, L.erie, 10-1-1872. ; a barge in 1865. w BUFFALO, 1838 Buffalo by J.Carrick. Launched as MANHATTAN, but registered as BUFFALO. 189 x 28 x 12, 613 tons, old meas. CHESAPEAKE, 1828 Maumee City, O. by Stebbins. Wooden sidewheeler, 172 x 25 x 10, 412 tons, o.m. Sunk in collision with wchooner JOHN PORTER off Conneaut, 0., 6-9-1847. 13 lives. Continued, p.3