Metal Fantail Launch, Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven, Van Buren County, MI

Significance: Typical of launch designs in the early twentieth century, this boat is unique in its construction technique using metal seamed planking over oak ribs and keel. The individual stamped planks are crimped over each other to forma watertight seal. This Fantail steel launch with mahogany trim was built c. 1905 and was described on its watercraft registration as a "Detroitist". It was powered by a 1 cylinder Palmer inboard engine. The boat was used on Reed's Lake and in the Grand Rapids, MI area. The boat was Donated by Meredith Dawson Arguropoulos in memory of Robert Dawson.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N1082
Survey number: HAER MI-407
Building/structure dates: ca. 1905 Initial Construction