Steamship William G. Mather, Cleveland

The Steamship William G. Mather, a retired Great Lakes bulk freighter, now serves as a museum ship in Cleveland. Built in 1925 by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, this 618-foot vessel was originally the flagship of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company and was named after the company president, William Gwinn Mather. Known as "The Ship That Built Cleveland," it played a pivotal role in the industrial development of Northeast Ohio by transporting essential cargoes like ore, coal, stone, and grain to steel mills and other industrial sites around the Great Lakes region.

During its operational years, the William G. Mather set several milestones in maritime technology and navigation. During World War II, it led a convoy to Duluth, Minnesota, breaking ice and setting a record for the earliest arrival in a northern port. It was one of the first vessels on the Great Lakes to be equipped with radar and, later, became the first American ship to feature an automated boiler system in 1964. The vessel continued to serve until its retirement in 1980, after which it was preserved and restored as a museum ship through the efforts of the community and the Harbor Heritage Society.

On July 30, 1995, the William G. Mather was designated as an American Society of Mechanical Engineers National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, recognizing its pioneering maritime technologies. It was moved in September 2005 from its original location at East Ninth Street Pier to its current dock at Dock 32, closer to the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum ship was officially acquired by the Great Lakes Science Center in October 2006.

Today, visitors can explore the William G. Mather from stem to stern, discovering its massive cargo holds, four-story engine room, brass and oak pilot house, and elegant guest quarters. The ship offers a unique insight into life aboard a working Great Lakes freighter during the golden era of steamships, showcasing the engineering innovations that helped shape the industrial history of the region.