Nicholson Transit Company records

Collection

Identifier: GLMS-0052

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Dates

Creation: 1922-1978
Creation: Majority of material found within 1922-1925

Extent

6.5 Cubic Feet (4 records storage cartons and 4 legal manuscript boxes)

Creator

Nicholson Transit Company (Organization)

Scope and Contents

This collection provides information on the business transactions of the Nicholson Transit company for the years 1923-1925. Daily correspondence and financial papers document the relationship of the Nicholson Company with customers and product suppliers from whom company purchases were made.

Two cubic feet of general correspondence files allow the researcher to examine businesses for which the Nicholson Company provided Great Lakes transportation services. Automobile manufacturers and dealers appear in many of these files. The topics of discussion center on fee schedules used by the Nicholsons and complaints by customers that items were damaged during shipment.

A half cubic foot series of subject correspondence provides further material to researchers regarding the business network in which the Nicholson Transit Company operated. Supplies of equipment to the Nicholson fleet appear in this series.

Two cubic feet of financial papers provide details on company expenditures for the Nicholson fleet. Expense vouchers, fee collection information, and receipts form most of the financial records.

Correspondence and financial papers for two subsidiaries of the Nicholson Transit Company also are included. One cubic foot of files on the Detroit and Kingsville Navigation Company replicate the type of information seen earlier for the Nicholson Company. One cubic foot of records for the International Sand and Gravel Company reflects sales of gravel and equipment purchases for this business.

Company History

The Nicholson Transit Company began its operations during 1919 at Ecorse, Michigan. This Great Lakes shipping company was one of a number of enterprises run by Captain William Nicholson (born 1863) and other members of the Nicholson family. Beginning with the steamer ROUMANIA, Nicholson Transit grew to have a fourteen vessel fleet in 1950. Automobile and sand transportation occupied many of the Nicholson vessels during their sailing careers.

Many business ventures of Nicholson Transit were accomplished in conjunction with the Nicholson Universal Steamship Company based in Detroit, Michigan. In 1927 the Nicholson Terminal and Dock company was founded in River Rouge, Michigan. Between these three businesses the Nicholsons handled cargo throughout the Great Lakes from the time of loading in one port, through transit to a second port, to unloading in the port of arrival. An interlocked network of shipping and stevedoring companies emerged.

The Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company became, by the late 1950s, the primary interests of the Nicholsons. The steamship lines were gradually being phased out. The ten vessel fleet was sold after the 1962 shipping season.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

For hull loss information from 1950-1961, see MMS 747. This material consists of reports compiled for Marsh & McLennan, Inc., an underwriting company, detailing various accidents and damage incidents involving Nicholson Transit Company and Ecorse Transit Company vessels.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes by George McBride of the Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company of River Rouge, Michigan, on February 7, 1983. An instrument of gift was signed on March 10, 1983.