Golden Age (Barge), U85785, 31 May 1883

Captain Hubbard has gone to Milan to fit out the monster new schooner GOLDEN AGE, which is above the bar at present and waiting high water, to get over the same. She is said to be the largest carrier on fresh water being about 120,000 bushels.
      J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, March/April, 1883.



      Valentine Fries' monster tow barge, the GOLDEN AGE, the largest vessel on the Lakes, has been towed to Huron. She has double decks, 8 hatches, 4 spars, and is painted black. Her dimensions are as follows: 287' keel, 300' over all, x 39 1/2' x 21 1/2'; capacity estimated at 130,000 bu. corn, drawing 14 ft. of water. She is intended for the iron and grain trade between Buffalo and will be commanded by Capt. Charles Hubbard, of Toledo. It will require about 3 weeks to fit her out. She will be a consort of the steambarge EDWARDS.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      May 31, 1883 3-10



The big new schooner GOLDEN AGE has about completed her outfit at Cleveland. She carries 4,200 yards of canvas. She is now loading coal from Thomas Axworthy for Chicago, and the experiment of how much she will actually carry will be tried. Captain Charles Hubbard, her master, will put the full complement of 3,000 tons on board of her at once, provided she is found not to draw over thirteen or fourteen feet of water, but will be content with 2,500 rather than take any chances on too much draft on the first trip.
      J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, July, 1883.

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Schooner GOLDEN AGE. U. S. No. 85785. Of 1846.96 tons gross; 1763.79 tons net. Built Abbott's Bridge, Ohio, 1883. Home port, Huron, Ohio. 278.0 x 38.8 x 20.0.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1885