1913 The Pioneer Steamship Company stock certificate signed C.L.Hutchinson

Description

This is a1913 stock certificate for the Pioneer Steamship Company.Stock  #433.Hand signed by Charles L.Hutchinson.
HUTCHINSON AND CO.
represented family Great Lakes shipping interests that dated back to ca. 1861, when John T. Hutchinson became part-owner of a scow (schooner) as payment of a butcher bill. As he acquired income and secured loans, he purchased more vessels. His son, Charles L., began his career on a Hutchinson sailing vessel as a cabin boy at the age of 16 and rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming its captain at 20. After sailing several more years, Capt. Hutchinson came ashore to manage the scows, and in partnership with Walton McGean, organized Hutchinson & Co. in 1901 to operate the "Pioneer" and other Great Lakes fleets. During the early 1900s, Pioneer Steamship, under Capt. Hutchinson, was a large and active business, carrying cargos of iron ore, coal, stone, and grain. Beginning with 3 wooden steamships and 2 wooden scows, the company grew to 38 ships and became the largest independent fleet on the Great Lakes by the 1920s. Hutchinson & Co. also operated vessels for Inland Steel Co. and International Harvester.