The Cape Charles
Prior to becoming a dredge the steamer, Cape Charles, was claimed to be the finest appointed transfer boat (ferry) ever built according to W.B.Reaney, superintending engineer. (Ref: June 1885 JOURNAL of Railroad Appliances & Railway Price Currant)
“Undeterred, Jones decided that if the United States
government would not dredge the channel, he would do it himself. He bought the burned-out iron hull of the
steamer Cape Charles and ordered pumping machinery installed on board to
convert it into a dredge.” Gulfport, Beginnings and Growth, Henry W. Black
The SS Bullis Co. successfully dredged a 6-mile channel between Ship Island and Gulfport. When dredging of the harbor was completed in 1902, the Port of Gulfport became a working Seaport. By 1907 Gulfport had become the Gulf Coast’s leading exporter of yellow pine lumber.
The SS Bullis Co. successfully dredged a 6-mile channel between Ship Island and Gulfport. When dredging of the harbor was completed in 1902, the Port of Gulfport became a working Seaport. By 1907 Gulfport had become the Gulf Coast’s leading exporter of yellow pine lumber.
