PRO III OOOO IL Elihu M. Peck NE OF THE SHIPBUILDERS Who assisted greatly in building up the commerce and reputation of the port of Cleveland was Elihu M. Peck.* The vessels built by him, or by the firm of Peck & Masters, which existed about nine years, are known all over the lake large part of the work done, especially in the later years, was in the construc- tion of propellers, of which several of the finest specimens afloat were made in that yard. Mr. Peck was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1822 and on reaching his sixteenth year came west and learned the art of ship build- ing in this vicinity. On completing his apprenticeship, he worked for a time as a journeyman. In 1847 he set up in business for himself and his first work was the construction of the schooner Jenny Lind, of 200 tons. When she was finished he ceased building new vessels for some years, and turned his attention exclusively to the repair of old vessels, at which he found abundant occupation. His yard was always busy, for the growing lake marine demanded a large and steadily increasing amount of annual repairs. In 1885 a partnership was formed with I. U. Masters, and the new firm immediately entered upon the construction of new vessels. The barque Ocean Wave, the first built by the new firm, was followed by the Julia Dean, of 460 tons. ssion followed: In rapid succ 1854 Schooner Kenosha, 377 tons, [Wrecked at Chicago in 1856.] 1854 Schooner Jowa, 370 tons. [Foundered in Lake Michigan in 1856; 9 lives lost.] “From Cleveland, Past and Present, Maurice Joblin, publisher, Cleveland, 1869, with further information concerning the boats built by Mr. Peck added by Clarence S. Metcalf, Executive Vice President of G. L. H. 8. Tonnage has been revised according to J. B. Mansfield, History of the Great Lakes, Chicago, 1899. 114