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John H. Mathis & Company

Camden NJ

Most recent update: February 4, 2019.

This shipyard, which was at Cooper's Point in Camden, just upstream of the Ben Franklin Bridge, originated in 1855 as Taylor & Mathis, was renamed Morris & Mathis in 1877 and finally became John H. Mathis & Company in 1903. It was originally a builder and repairer of wooden vessels and during WWI it built work boats, barges and the like. After the war, it switched to steel construction and became a significant producer of tankers and tank barges. A sister shipyard. Mathis Yacht Building Company, with which it is often confused, was started by the same group of businessmen in 1909, in an adjacent facility and incorporated in 1913: using a separate hull numbering system, it built sub chasers, naval tugs and airplane frames in WWI , subsequently returning to the recreational market. In 1939, John H. Mathis and the long serving President of the two firms, William Robinson, both died and in 1940 three key executives left to form a rival firm, RTC Shipbuilding Corporation, on the property immediately to the south. See the table for RTC Shipbuilding here. Then, in mid-1942, John Trumpy, who had been the driving force of Mathis Yacht, took control of the firm and relocated it to Gloucester City NJ under the name John Trumpy & Sons, Inc. The original Mathis yard carried on at Cooper's Point but ceased operations in 1962: it was then sold and the site was sold, but continued to operate under the name of Camden Ship Repair Inc. until 1987, when it was acquired by Weeks Marine. See the site of the shipyard from the air on Google here. Visit a website featuring the shipyard here: this website confuses the two Mathis yards and ignores RTC but it includes some great pictures and a reproduction of a 16-page brochure.

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O/N Name Customer Type GT LOA Delivered Notes
Built by Taylor & Mathis
3 5602 Camden Camden & Phila. Ferry Co. ferry 367 147 1865
4 20238 Philadelphia Camden & Phila. Ferry Co. ferry 397 147 Nov 1966
5 7884 Emily H. Naylor Naylor & others schooner 280 117 June 1966
6 17147 Maggie P. Smith S. T. Grace schooner 191 104 Aug 1966
7 10894 George Taulane Capt. Steelman & others schooner 235 110 1866
8 8310 Emma B. Shaw Franklin Smith schooner 248 110 Apr 1967
9 10837 George H. Squire Evans, Ball & Co. schooner 198 May 1967
10 13783 Joseph W. Wilson John S. Somers schooner 271 116 Oct 1967
11 24648 Taylor & Mathis Taylor & Mathis Tern 266 119 June 1968
12 21901 Rebecca W. Huddell Capt. J. L. Maley Tern 256 125 May 1969
13 2681 Belle Halliday F. Harrington schooner 355 128 June 1969
14 12469 Index Charles Spooner Tern 334 116 May 1970
15 23583 Sarah Wood Franklin Smith schooner 272 110 May 1970
16 23867 Sagua Somers & others 1/2 Brig 366 127 July 1970
17 75289 Jennie E. Simmons Franklin Smith & others schooner 285 114 May 1971
18 8736 Emma C. Rommel Adams & others schooner 331 122 Sep 1971
19 110040 Rebecca M. Smith Capt. R. C. Grace schooner 318 116 May 1972
20 75399 John D. Paige Capt. A. C. Haley & others Tern 398 127 July 1972
21 95214 Helen Sharp Capt. Coleman Sharp schooner 313 113 1873
22 105289 Agnes R. Bacon B. F. Haley & Co. schooner 396 129 Oct 1973
23 135007 Elizabeth M. Beuhler James L. Maloy & others schooner 491 136 June 1974
24 110183 Rillie S. Derby Bartlett, Shepherd & Co. Tern 419 132 July 1974
25 75696 John C. Sweeney Capt. Sommers & others schooner 397 130 Nov 1974
26 95366 Henry Davy J.B. King & others Tern 537 142 June 1975
27 115530 Shackamaxon Kensington & NJ Ferry Co. ferry 383 1877
Built by Morris & Mathis
28 85557 George G. Green(ea) H.L. Burton & others Tern 673 151 May 1979
29 80746 William B. Wood Benjamin F. Haley Tern 599 146 May 1980
30 144227 Taylor-Dickson H.B. Lake & Co Tern 600 146 July 1980
31 105950 Annie C. Grace R.C. Grace & Co. Tern 516 141 Oct 1980
32 Camden & Atlantic Railway ferry Hull 1881
33 76259 Joel Cook J. Smith et al schooner 393 129 Oct 1981
34 135570 Edward B. Leisenring Captain Davidson Tern 432 138 May 1982
35 120525 Frank Pratt Lee Captain R.B. Lee & Co. Tern 601 144 Nov 1982
36 106034 Angie L. Green Charles A Petit Tern 434 139 Nov 1982
37 140616 Lewis K. Cottingham J.D. Whittaker Tern 524 142 May 1983
38 115944 Susie H. Davidson Capt. B. F. Haley Tern 547 150 Aug 1983
39 100350 Ida C. Schoolcraft J.T. Booze Tern 320 134 Jan 1984
40 95812 Henry P. Simmons R.C. Grace schooner 648 152 June 1984
41 81054 William H. Shubert Levi R. King Tern 643 147 Sep 1984
42 91720 Mary E. Morris Franklin Smith Tern 439 138 Nov 1984
43 100395 Ida H. Mathis Capt. Daniel Gifford Tern 482 140 June 1986
44 91923 Millville R.W. Wood & Co. Tern 347 134 June 1987
45 92090 Marian R.W. Wood & Co. Tern 245 113 May 1989
46 92223 Mary B. Baird Jonathan May Tern 909 170 Sep 1990
47 76946 Jennie Thomas Capt. Townsend Young Tern 692 154 1891
48 145597 Thomas A. Ward Capt. Benjamin Tyman 4 masted schooner 805 170 Sep 1991
49 116514 Sadie A Thompson Capt. J.W. Mowatt & others barkentine 686 154 July 1992
Built by John H. Mathis & Co.
50 51349 Mapleton Pennsylvania Railroad Co. derrick barge 1899 later P.R.R. 235
51 30208 Allaire Pennsylvania Railroad Co. derrick barge 1899 later P.R.R. 236
52 35569 Dunlap Pennsylvania Railroad Co. derrick barge 1899 later P.R.R. 237
53 35573 Dunlo Pennsylvania Railroad Co. covered barge 1900 later P.R.R. 415
54 48653 Lenola Pennsylvania Railroad Co. covered barge 1900 later P.R.R. 422
55 63008 Wyebrook Pennsylvania Railroad Co. covered barge 1900 later P.R.R. 417
56 58602 Stamwick Pennsylvania Railroad Co. covered barge 1900 later P.R.R. 418
57 none May K. Joret Joret & Moy coal barge 130 1902
58 none Phila. & Reading Railroad Co. car float 1904
59 none Phila. & Reading Railroad Co. car float Apr 1904
60 none City of Philadelphia caisson 50 Apr 1907
61 none Pennsylvania Railroad Co. grain barge 150 1907
62 none Schuylkill Pennsylvania Railroad Co. grain barge 150 Nov 1907
63 206746 George R. Murray George R. Murray tugboat 55 66 1909
64 none Scow No. 12 City of Philadelphia Coal Scow 70 1910
65 none Scow No. 13 City of Philadelphia deck scow 150 70 1910
66 Federal No. 6 USACE coal & water scow 50 1910
67 none Wash. Brick & Terra Cotta scow Feb 1911
68 none Wash. Brick & Terra Cotta scow Feb 1911
69 none Wash. Brick & Terra Cotta dredge 1911
Built by John H. Mathis & Co., Inc.
70 none Scow No. 10 City of Philadelphia dump scow 70 1913
71 none Scow No. 11 City of Philadelphia dump scow 70 1913
72 Federal Rattler USACE hull only 85 1914
none New Jersey Stockyards Cattle boat 1915 reconstruction of car float
73 none Phila. & Reading RW car float 250 1916
74 none Phila. & Reading RW car float 250 1916
75 none Pennslyvania RR car float 250 Dec 1917
76 none Pennslyvania RR car float 250 Dec 1917
77 none dump barge 1917
78 No. 13 US Army Corps of Engrs. derrick boat 60 1918
79 No. 14 US Army Corps of Engrs. pile driver 60 1918
80 219696 Whistler (EFC 2704) USSB tugboat 188 100 May 1917 later Isabel A. McAllister
81 219999 Wizard (EFC 2705) USSB tugboat 188 100 Sep 1917 later Carrie T. Meseck, Edward A. Meseck, Margaret A. Moran
82 220000 Talisman (EFC 2706) USSB tugboat 188 100 Sep 1917
85 168282 S.C.L. 1 S. C. Loveland Co. (Del.) barge 229 98 Sep 1917
86 168276 S.C.L. 2 S. C. Loveland Co. (Del.) barge 215 98 Sep 1917
87 518129 Monarch Oliver Transportation coal barge 540 150 1922 later Electric 32
88 279889 Carfloat # 1 Phila. & Reading RW car float 548 200 1923 later Hughes No. 200
89 Carfloat # 2 Phila. & Reading RW car float 548 200 1923
90 518130 Port Richmond Oliver Transportation coal barge 540 150 1924 later Electric 33
91 265262 Philadelphia Phila. & Reading RW car float 624 150 1925 later B.H. No. 1, Loveland 1
92 264920 Reading Phila. & Reading RW car float 617 150 1925 later B.H. No. 2, Loveland 2, W. M. Davis
93 E. E. Walling Oliver Transportation coal barge 145 1927 scrapped 2011
96 228002 Harold J. Taggert Reading Co. Inc. tugboat 110 80 1928 later P. M. Arnold
97 229003 Reliance Providence Steamboat Co. tugboat 124 84 1929 later Norshipco Three, Chelsea
229834 Arminia Mathis Yacht Building Co. yacht hull 161 100 1930 Subcontract, Mathis Yacht Hull 209, Stella Polaris
98 515874 Dover US Army Corps of Engrs. tender 31 50 1930 later Margaret Barker, Tiger, Arthur
231388 Alamo Mathis Yacht Building Co. yacht hull 335 143 1932 Subcontract, Mathis Yacht Hull 214
99 231793 Bridgeport Red Star Towing & Nav. Co. tugboat 160 88 June 1932 later Clayton P. Kehoe, Martin J. Kehoe, Bridgeport
100 Federal U.S. Lighthouse Svce. barge 60 May 1917
101 230477 Nathan Hayward American Dredging Co. Inc. tugboat 124 84 1931
102 933247 Electric 18 Oliver Transportation coal barge 916 160 1932 later EMI-3218
103 280591 Argo (WPC-100) USCG patrol boat 337d 165 06-Jan-33 sold 1955 as Sightseer XII, Circle Line XII
104 Galatea (WPC-108) USCG patrol boat 337d 165 03-Feb-33 sold 1948 as Restauracion, sank 1992
105 171632 Interstate No. 4 Interstate Oil tank barge 792 208 1933
106 171665 Texaco 325 The Texas Co. tank barge 792 208 1934 later CTCO 180, Fleet 505
107 171666 Oil Tanker No. 1 The Texas Co. tank barge 792 208 Mar 1934 later Texaco 326, Casco Bay
108 171740 Poling Bros. No. 9 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tank barge 792 208 June 1934 to USN 1941 as YO-155, sold 1947 as tanker, ON 233333
109 171897 Hygrade No. 12 Hygrade Oil tank barge 806 208 Oct 1934
110 171987 Lloyd I. Seaman St. John's Guild hospital barge 799 166 May 1935
111 172012 Hygrade No. 14 Hygrade Oil tank barge 806 208 1935 later tanker, ON 250807
112 172290 Hygrade No. 16 Hygrade Oil tank barge 1,342 214 Apr 1936 later B. No. 16
113 172323 Poling Bros. No. 12 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tank barge 1,014 208 Apr 1936 later George K. Hambleton, Val. No 18, Helen A, Allegheny
114 172436 Hygrade No. 18 Hygrade Oil tank barge 1,012 208 Aug 1936 later Anne Bray
115 172469 Cities Service No. 6 Newtown Creek Towing tank barge 828 208 Sep 1936 later STC-105, Russell Poling 28, Cities Service No. 5, Bruce
116 235755 Poling Bros. No. 14 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tanker 295 121 Dec 1936 scrapped
117 172876 Poling Bros. No. 15 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tank barge 1,014 208 Mar 1937 later Russel 25
118 173434 Hygrade No. 20 Hygrade Oil tank barge 986 208 1937 later Red Star No. 80
119 173513 Coast Transit No. 2 Coast Transit Co. tank barge 548 149 June 1937 later Barrett No. 5
120 236911 Poling Bros. No. 16 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tanker 395 136 1937 to USN 1942 as YO-137, sold 1946
121 173641 Tuscarora Gulf Oil tank barge 1,032 208 1937 later Interstate 17, HT-17, BA 17
122 173721 Oil Transfer No. 30 Oil Transfer Co. tank barge 1,190 215 Oct 1937
123 173829 Interstate No. 10 Interstate Oil tank barge 899 208 Jan 1938
124 237782 S. T. Kiddoo S. J. Kiddoo, Inc. tanker 613 166 1938 later Mary A. Whalen, museum in Brooklyn
125 237903 F. A. Verdon F. A. Verdon, Inc. tanker 768 204 1938 scrapped 1976
126 WLI-238 Narcissus U.S. Lighthouse Svce. tender 355d 1939 to Guyana 1971
127 WLI-255 Zinnia U.S. Lighthouse Svce. tender 355d 1939 to USAF-1972
128 238946 Poling Bros. No. 17 Chester A. Poling, Inc. tanker 328 121 1939 later ILSO No. 1, Emperador I, Nicodemus III, scuttled 1989
129 239224 A. H. Dumont A. H. Dumont, Inc. tanker 981 213 1940 to USN 1941 as Bailer (YO-54), reefed off NJ 1986
130 WLM-224 Juniper U.S. Lighthouse Svce. tender 790d Oct 1940 sold 1975, Panamanian Flag, Los Roques (Honduras)
131 241008 Arthur Hoyt Scott Scott Paper Company freighter 2,323 257 Oct 1941 to Britain 1941, scrapped 1955
132 YN--29 Teaberry US Navy net layer 560d 162 16 Mar 1942 later AN-34, scrapped 1962
133 YN--30 Teak US Navy net layer 560d 162 7 May 1942 later AN-35, reported scrapped 1976 but later Alaska Mist (ON 586179)
134 YN--31 Pepperwood US Navy net layer 560d 162 8 Jun 1942 later AN-36, to France 1944 as Tarentule (A-729)
135 YN--32 Yew US Navy net layer 560d 162 1 Jul 1942 later AN-37, to France 1944 as Scorpion (A-728), wrecked in Fiji 1978
136 AM-120 Sway US Navy minesweeper 1250d 221 20 Jul 1943 to Mexico 1973 as Ignacio Miguel Altamirano (C-80)
137 AM-121 Swerve US Navy minesweeper 1250d 221 23 Jan 1944 mined off Anzio and lost 1944
138 AM-122 Swift US Navy minesweeper 1250d 221 29 Dec 1943 scrapped 1972
140 YOG-5 YOG-5 US Navy gasoline barge 440d 174 1943 later YO-241, sold ~ 2004 Charmer ( Cambodia)
141 YOG-6 YOG-6 US Navy gasoline barge 440d 174 1943
142 YOG-32 YOG-32 US Navy gasoline barge 440d 174 1943 later YWN-59, scrapped 1975
143 YOG-33 YOG-33 US Navy gasoline barge 440d 174 1943
144 YOG-34 YOG-34 US Navy gasoline barge 440d 174 1943
145 YWN-83 YWN-83 US Navy water barge 440d 174 1944 sunk as target 1989
146 YWN-84 YWN-84 US Navy water barge 440d 174 1944 scrapped 1976
147 FS-309 FS-309 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Feb 1944 to USN 1950 as AKL-24, struck 1959, sold 1961 Philippines, President Osema
148 FS-310 FS-310 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Mar 1944 sold circa 1959 as Don Alfredo (Philippines), scuttled 1980
149 FS-311 FS-311 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Mar 1944 to the Philippines as Elizabeth
150 FS-312 FS-312 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 May 1944 to Korea as City of Chechon
151 FS-313 FS-313 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 June 1944
152 FS-314 FS-314 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 July 1944 to the Philippines as Governor Smith
153 FS-315 FS-315 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 July 1944 to China as Iris
154 FS-316 FS-316 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Aug 1944 to USN 1947 as Metomkin (AG-136), AKL-7, to DOI 1951
155 FS-317 FS-317 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Aug 1944 to Korea as City of Pyontaek
156 FS-318 FS-318 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Sep 1944 to the Philippines as Oriental
157 FS-319 FS-319 US Army Transportation Corps freighter 560d 176 Oct 1944 to the Philippines as Elcano
158 Y-52 Y-52 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Nov 1944 to Panama Canal Co. as Y-52
159 Y-53 Y-53 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Nov 1944 sold circa 1960 as Delbros Mt. Arayayt (Philippines) beached Feb. 1965
160 Y-54 Y-54 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Jan 1945 to Russia 1946 as Tanker No. 4, Nercha, scrapped 1960
161 Y-56 Y-56 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Jan 1945 sold in Japan, Kowa Maru/Eiwa Maru - 1966 LSCO Marikudo (Philippines)
162 Y-59 Y-59 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Jan 1945 to the Philippines 1945
163 Y-60 Y-60 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Feb 1945 sold 1960, Delbros Mt. Apo (Philippines)
164 Y-61 Y-61 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Feb 1945 sold 1966 to Ecuador as Don Alfredo
165 Y-62 Y-62 US Army Transportation Corps tanker 633d 182 Mar 1945 to Paraguay 1946 as Paraguari
166 249076 Esther M. trawler Esther M. Co. Inc. trawler 251 98 Dec 1945 later Rosa B, San Andrea
167 248981 Bay O'Hara Bros. Co. Inc. trawler 250 98 Nov 1945 later (1960) Grand Bay (Canada ON 311838), to US Flag ~1968
168 249109 Rush O'Hara Bros. Co. Inc. trawler 250 98 Dec 1945 later (1960) Grand Duke (Canada ON 311839), to US Flag ~1968, Paul & Maria
169 250800 Bonnie trawler Bonnie, Inc. trawler 264 103 Oct 1946
170 250464 Pan Trades Andros Pan Trades, Inc. trawler 249 98 1946 later Polar Trail, Austholm, Blue Star, Saook Bay
171 250316 Fearless Atlantic Coast Fisheries Co. trawler 398 133 1946 later Blue Foam (Canada ON 178549), Foam V, scrapped 1992
172 251070 Challenge Atlantic Coast Fisheries Co. trawler 398 133 1946 later Blue Spray (Canada ON 178548), Spray V
173 trawler 264 99 Dec 1948 started on spec, no trace
174 253149 George W. Shockley Sr. George E. Shockley oyster boat 68 64 1946 later Holly, Hannah Glover
175 Victory Warner Company tugboat 48 1946
none 255508 Liberty Belle Wilson Line, Inc. passenger 892 May 1947 30' midbody, ex PCE (R) 854, work completed by owner, Isla del Tesoro (Cuba)
176 255020 Atlantic 25 Atlantic Refining tank barge 624 177 Apr 1948
177 255167 Atlantic 26 Atlantic Refining tank barge 624 177 Apr 1948 later Eastpet 1, Sun State 901, B-9
178 255482 Atlantic 27 Atlantic Refining tank barge 624 177 June 1948 later ATC 134
179 256012 Atlantic 28 Atlantic Refining tank barge 624 177 July 1948 later Bay Trader 89, KTC 9, NTC 9
180 257512 City of Portsmouth Norfolk County Ferries ferry 773 172 Apr 1949 later Delaware Valley, to USN as Wa'a Hele Honua (YFB-83), sold 2003, barge J-Way SB107, (ON 1185126)
181 258479 Norfolk County Norfolk County Ferries ferry 773 172 Aug 1949 later Buccaneer
182 258507 Barrett No. 1 Barrett Co. tank barge 1,262 228 Aug 1949 later Allied Chemical No. 11
183 US Army Corps of Engrs. barge 400 1949
184 US Army Corps of Engrs. barge 400 1949
185 982366 Elizabeth Monroe Smith San. Assoc. of Phila. passenger barge 1,169 160 June 1950 later Majestic
186 Liberia Cestos Farrell Lines (Liberia) Inc. freighter 238 142 Oct 1950 wrecked 1976
187 patrol boat 32 1951
188 223366 Ocean City Commonwealth of Virginia ferry 631 189 1952 conversion to diesels, Pusey & Jones Hull 391, built 1923
189 264047 Owls Head New York City sludge carrier 1,643 268 July 1952 retired 2007, still laid upa
190 Liberia Farmington Farrell Lines (Liberia) Inc. freighter 238 142 Apr 1951 sunk off Liberia 1990
191 223222 Warwick Commonwealth of Virginia ferry 632 189 June 1952 conversion to diesels, Pusey & Jones Hull 390, built 1923
192 225813 Newport News Commonwealth of Virginia ferry 632 189 1952 conversion to diesels, Harlan Hull 3502, built 1926
193 226132 Seawells Point Commonwealth of Virginia ferry 405 146 1953a conversion, New York Ship Hull 354, built 1926
194 226088 Jamestown Commonwealth of Virginia ferry 405 146 1953a conversion, New York Ship Hull 353, built 1926
195 266094 Warner Company No. 100 Warner Company barge 381 130 1953
196 266095 Warner Company No. 101 Warner Company barge 381 130 1953
197 No. 7 Penna. Water & Power Co. towboat 50 Aug 1953 assembled at Safe Harbor PA.
198 C-12731 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1953
199 C-12732 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954
200 C-12733 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954
201 538487 C-12734 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954 later Panacea, Black Horse, Jennifer Miller, Dawn Marie, Mighty Jessie
202 C-12735 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954
203 533178 C-12736 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954 later Toro, Happy K, H & W S Explorer, William Scandling
204 C-12737 US Navy dist. box boat 64 1954
206 268629 John D. McKean New York City (Fire Dept.) firefighting tugboat 330 117 Sep 1954
207 FB-812 LT-Samuel S. Coursen US Army Transportation Corps ferry 869 172 Feb 1956 sold to Gov. Island, (ON 1138191)
208 FB-813 PVT Nicholas Minue US Army Transportation Corps ferry 869 172 June 1956 retired 1998, derelict at Staten Island
210 273756 Nantucket Nantucket SS Auth. excursion ferry 2,652 213 Apr 1957 later Naushon, Savannah Sun, Bayou Caddy's Jubilation Casino
211 276460 H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks New York City (Fire Dept.) fireboat 213 97 May 1958 later Ervin S. Cooper
212 276928 Harry M. Archer M.D. New York City (Fire Dept.) fireboat 213 97 July 1958 later Miriam Walmsley Cooper
214 279514 Bowery Bay New York City sludge carrier 1,578 268 Aug 1959 scrapped 1992
215 279951 Sen. Robert F. Wagner New York City (Fire Dept.) fireboat 213 97 Oct 1959 later Georgia
216 286653 Gov Alfred E. Smith New York City (Fire Dept.) fireboat 213 97 Aug 1961

Printed from shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net