The Steamship William G. Mather Museum - What is it?

The William G. Mather is a retired Great Lakes bulk freighter. She was built in Detroit by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge, Michigan in 1925 as the flagship for the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company. The Mather remained the Cliff's flagship until the Edward B. Green (now the Kaye E. Barker of the Interlake Steamship Company fleet) was built in 1952. She remained an active part of the Cliffs's fleet until the end of the 1980 navigation season.

In 1985, Cleveland-Cliffs sold its two remaining operating steamers to Rouge Steel Company, and gradually sold off its idle vessels until only the Mather remained. In December, 1987, the Steamship William G Mather was donated to The Great Lakes Historical Society.

The Society began preparations for the Mather's new career as a museum ship. After she was brought to Cleveland in October of 1988 and funding acquired from local foundations, corporations, and individuals, restoration began. In October 1990, she was moved to her berth at the East Ninth Street Pier on Cleveland's North Coast Harbor, and work continued. On September 24, 2005 the Mather was moved to a new location just north of the Great Lakes Science Center at Dock 32.

Fire damage to the Mather's galley and after cabin spaces required a major restoration effort. All over the vessel, most of the elbow grease was supplied by volunteers who repaired, cleaned, chipped, painted, and polished brass in order to restore the Mather's former elegance.

On July 30, 1995 the Steamship William G Mather was dedicated as an American Society of Mechanical Engineers National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark for her 1954 installation of a single marine boiler and steam turbine engine, and her 1964 installation of the Bailey 760 Boiler Control System and American Shipbuilding AmThrust dual propeller bow thruster - both firsts for U.S.-Flag Great Lakes vessels.

The Steamship William G Mather Museum is owned and operated by the Great Lakes Science Center.

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