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

Significance: Recreational boating under power increased during the early twentieth century. Vacationers from Chicago traveled to South Haven and other Michigan destinations to enjoy the cooler temperatures and cleaner waters. Power launches were built for wealthy families or were rented or used as water taxis to ferry people from resorts along the lakes and rivers. This launch is typical of a prolific type of craft throughout the United States. This launch is believed to be built by the J.W. Truscott Boat Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The four-cylinder engine currently in the boat is a Gray Marine, and almost certainly is not the original, which may have been a Truscott Pierce engine that the company built early in the 20th century.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N1080
Survey number: HAER MI-411
Building/structure dates: ca. 1915 Initial Construction