This is an article bringing to light the renewed need for coastal container shipping.

1. The Erie Canal, The Blackstone Canal and the C&O Canal all fall under Mr. Wrights
accomplishments. I start my article with him because of
“It is calculated that the expense of transporting on a canal, exclusive of tolls, amounts to
CENT a ton per mile, or ONE DOLLAR
conveyance by land is ONE DOLLAR
TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS a ton for the same distance. A loaded boat can be towed by one or
two horses at the rate of twenty five or thirty miles a day. Canals enable the Farmer, The
Mechanic, and the Merchant to convey
least TWENTY FOUR TIMES CHEAPER
Canals are advantageous to towns and villages, and to the whole country, by increasing
population, augmenting individual aggregate wealth, and extending f
Those who have most carefully and deliberately examined the subject would almost consider it
heresy to doubt it, so manifest are the advantages and so obvious the importance to a large
fertile section of the country, whose prosperity proba
high charges for transportation on tonnage than from any other single cause.”
This was published in an article called “
Providence” (1882). Funny thing is it still h
means of transportation as well as the most environmentally sound. Yes the numbers are a bit
different today, so are pay checks, price tags and most everything else in the world.
Oddly enough this was not the first time a civilization had this idea, this has been adopted by
almost every advanced civilization on our planet from the earliest of records
BENJAMIN WRIGHT
, The Blackstone Canal and the C&O Canal all fall under Mr. Wrights
I start my article with him because of the following excerpt:
It is calculated that the expense of transporting on a canal, exclusive of tolls, amounts to
ONE DOLLAR a ton for one hundred miles, while the usual cost of
ONE DOLLAR and TWENTY FIVE CENTS per hundred weight, or
a ton for the same distance. A loaded boat can be towed by one or
two horses at the rate of twenty five or thirty miles a day. Canals enable the Farmer, The
Mechanic, and the Merchant to convey their commodities to market, and to receive a return at
TWENTY FOUR TIMES CHEAPER than by road.
Canals are advantageous to towns and villages, and to the whole country, by increasing
population, augmenting individual aggregate wealth, and extending foreign commerce.
Those who have most carefully and deliberately examined the subject would almost consider it
heresy to doubt it, so manifest are the advantages and so obvious the importance to a large
fertile section of the country, whose prosperity probably experiences a severer check from the
high charges for transportation on tonnage than from any other single cause.”
in an article called “An account of the proposed canal from Worcester to
” (1882). Funny thing is it still holds true today, water is still the most cost effective
means of transportation as well as the most environmentally sound. Yes the numbers are a bit
different today, so are pay checks, price tags and most everything else in the world.
not the first time a civilization had this idea, this has been adopted by
almost every advanced civilization on our planet from the earliest of records
BENJAMIN WRIGHT (1770
Considered by many to be the Father of
Civil Engineering in America
, The Blackstone Canal and the C&O Canal all fall under Mr. Wrights list of
the following excerpt:
It is calculated that the expense of transporting on a canal, exclusive of tolls, amounts to ONE
a ton for one hundred miles, while the usual cost of
per hundred weight, or
a ton for the same distance. A loaded boat can be towed by one or
two horses at the rate of twenty five or thirty miles a day. Canals enable the Farmer, The
their commodities to market, and to receive a return at
Canals are advantageous to towns and villages, and to the whole country, by increasing
oreign commerce.
Those who have most carefully and deliberately examined the subject would almost consider it
heresy to doubt it, so manifest are the advantages and so obvious the importance to a large
bly experiences a severer check from the
high charges for transportation on tonnage than from any other single cause.”
account of the proposed canal from Worcester to
olds true today, water is still the most cost effective
means of transportation as well as the most environmentally sound. Yes the numbers are a bit
different today, so are pay checks, price tags and most everything else in the world.
not the first time a civilization had this idea, this has been adopted by
almost every advanced civilization on our planet from the earliest of records.
(1770-1842)
Considered by many to be the Father of
Civil Engineering in America

2. August “Gus” Charles Fruehauf started a blacksmithing business in the 1890’s in the Detroit
area with his family. A long time customer
asking for a trailer he could tow his
roadster. After building this Gus was often heard to say that this changed his business forever.
In 1915 his company placed what was a $28 advertisement in a trade magazine which resulted
in $22,000 in sales almost overnight.
There were many set-backs for Gus and family having
their final blacksmith shop out of brick, by the direction of his wife. This shop grew to
accommodate up to 60 horses at once. It also brought in more employees including Otto
Neumann who became a lifelong business partner for Gus.
By the time of WW1 Fruehauf trailers were very involved in the US Military and did much to
support the war efforts. Gus, along with his business partners and customers helped begin the
first Federal Highways program, together with Dwight Eisenhower (then Lt. Colonel) in 1919.
With the election of President Harding and the beginning of the great depression in 1920,
Fruehauf Corporation was feeling the pinch; they were carrying much inventory purchased at
higher prices for orders that were canceled due to the economic downturn. In come 2 men
from England looking for property to build their factory for steel frame casement windows.
The sale of 2 ¼ acres of property was the saving grace for the corporation and carried the
thru the depression years.
Fruehauf Trailers also became a long time business partner with McLean Trucking co. thru the
1940’s and 50’s. The company was also the “go to” trailer builder for more than 50 years for
most domestic trucking companies, vans,
Fruehauf started a blacksmithing business in the 1890’s in the Detroit
area with his family. A long time customer, and lumber tycoon, Fredrick Sibley came to him
asking for a trailer he could tow his sail boat up to the lake with behind his
After building this Gus was often heard to say that this changed his business forever.
In 1915 his company placed what was a $28 advertisement in a trade magazine which resulted
in $22,000 in sales almost overnight.
Gus and family having a couple total loss fires before building
their final blacksmith shop out of brick, by the direction of his wife. This shop grew to
accommodate up to 60 horses at once. It also brought in more employees including Otto
me a lifelong business partner for Gus.
By the time of WW1 Fruehauf trailers were very involved in the US Military and did much to
support the war efforts. Gus, along with his business partners and customers helped begin the
, together with Dwight Eisenhower (then Lt. Colonel) in 1919.
With the election of President Harding and the beginning of the great depression in 1920,
Fruehauf Corporation was feeling the pinch; they were carrying much inventory purchased at
for orders that were canceled due to the economic downturn. In come 2 men
from England looking for property to build their factory for steel frame casement windows.
The sale of 2 ¼ acres of property was the saving grace for the corporation and carried the
became a long time business partner with McLean Trucking co. thru the
The company was also the “go to” trailer builder for more than 50 years for
most domestic trucking companies, vans, reefers, flatbeds, tanks all built by them.
AUGUST FRUEHAUF
Considered to be the Father of
The Semi-Trailer
Fruehauf started a blacksmithing business in the 1890’s in the Detroit
Fredrick Sibley came to him
boat up to the lake with behind his Ford, Model T
After building this Gus was often heard to say that this changed his business forever.
In 1915 his company placed what was a $28 advertisement in a trade magazine which resulted
total loss fires before building
their final blacksmith shop out of brick, by the direction of his wife. This shop grew to
accommodate up to 60 horses at once. It also brought in more employees including Otto
By the time of WW1 Fruehauf trailers were very involved in the US Military and did much to
support the war efforts. Gus, along with his business partners and customers helped begin the
, together with Dwight Eisenhower (then Lt. Colonel) in 1919.
With the election of President Harding and the beginning of the great depression in 1920,
Fruehauf Corporation was feeling the pinch; they were carrying much inventory purchased at
for orders that were canceled due to the economic downturn. In come 2 men
from England looking for property to build their factory for steel frame casement windows.
The sale of 2 ¼ acres of property was the saving grace for the corporation and carried them
became a long time business partner with McLean Trucking co. thru the
The company was also the “go to” trailer builder for more than 50 years for
reefers, flatbeds, tanks all built by them.
AUGUST FRUEHAUF (1867-1930)
Considered to be the Father of
Trailer

3. Malcolm McLean finished High School in 1935 and like many families of the time there was no
money for college, although for him there was enough for him to buy a used truck. Together
with his sister and brother they began McLean Trucking
Malcolm was one of the drivers at this point. This company grew year over year thru hard
work and a unique vision for the future.
Malcolm had studied the systems of the
1926 carrying boxes on vessels. He saw this as
should be the only part of the trailer to go
ships were re-tagged as container ships.
In 1956 the company secured a loan to purchase 2 WWII T
freight. The laws of the day would not allow for trucking companies to own
which opened the door for him to open the Pan
renamed Sea-land Service, Inc. After several months of overseeing the re
ready to go.
On April 26, 1956 with 100 invited dignitaries
watching the SS Ideal X was loaded with 58 of his 35 foot “trailer vans” later to be dubbed
containers for her inaugural voyage from Port Newark, NJ to the Port of Houston, TX. As you
can imagine there were mixed feelings of this from many. At the time Longshoreman loaded
everything by hand or machine into the vessels, this would often take much longer and often
lose material in the process. Loading by container was 36 times cheaper for businesses
union member there that day was asked what he thought of this, his reply was “
that son of a bitch."
Sea-Land grew year over year and finally in 1999 Maersk bought the business and assimilated
it into their global trade lanes, in 2006 Maresk dropped
MALCOLM McLEAN
Malcolm McLean finished High School in 1935 and like many families of the time there was no
him there was enough for him to buy a used truck. Together
with his sister and brother they began McLean Trucking, hauling empty tobacco barrels in NC.
Malcolm was one of the drivers at this point. This company grew year over year thru hard
ue vision for the future.
Malcolm had studied the systems of the Southern Railway and the French Northern Railway in
1926 carrying boxes on vessels. He saw this as an opportunity and decided that the “box”
of the trailer to go on the vessel and not the chassis; this is how trailer
tagged as container ships.
In 1956 the company secured a loan to purchase 2 WWII T-2 tankers and retro fit them for
freight. The laws of the day would not allow for trucking companies to own
which opened the door for him to open the Pan-Atlantic Steamship Corporation, later
land Service, Inc. After several months of overseeing the re-fit the SS Ideal X was
On April 26, 1956 with 100 invited dignitaries, Longshoreman’s union members and others
watching the SS Ideal X was loaded with 58 of his 35 foot “trailer vans” later to be dubbed
for her inaugural voyage from Port Newark, NJ to the Port of Houston, TX. As you
eelings of this from many. At the time Longshoreman loaded
everything by hand or machine into the vessels, this would often take much longer and often
Loading by container was 36 times cheaper for businesses
there that day was asked what he thought of this, his reply was “
Land grew year over year and finally in 1999 Maersk bought the business and assimilated
it into their global trade lanes, in 2006 Maresk dropped the additional name.
MALCOLM McLEAN (1913
Considered to be the Father of
Containerized shipping.
Malcolm McLean finished High School in 1935 and like many families of the time there was no
him there was enough for him to buy a used truck. Together
ing empty tobacco barrels in NC.
Malcolm was one of the drivers at this point. This company grew year over year thru hard
Southern Railway and the French Northern Railway in
and decided that the “box”
he vessel and not the chassis; this is how trailer
2 tankers and retro fit them for
freight. The laws of the day would not allow for trucking companies to own vessels for this
Atlantic Steamship Corporation, later
fit the SS Ideal X was
, Longshoreman’s union members and others
watching the SS Ideal X was loaded with 58 of his 35 foot “trailer vans” later to be dubbed
for her inaugural voyage from Port Newark, NJ to the Port of Houston, TX. As you
eelings of this from many. At the time Longshoreman loaded
everything by hand or machine into the vessels, this would often take much longer and often
Loading by container was 36 times cheaper for businesses. One
there that day was asked what he thought of this, his reply was “I'd like to sink
Land grew year over year and finally in 1999 Maersk bought the business and assimilated
the additional name.
(1913-2001)
Considered to be the Father of

4. You may wonder why I began with such a history lesson. Many say “if you don’t study history
you are doomed to repeat it”, well I am saying this time that we NEED TO REPEAT IT.
Transportation companies are faced with a growing driver shortage as well as growing
highway issues; manufacturing is faced with growing demand for product at lower cost to
market, Rail is faced with older infrastructure and an overwhelming demand for service
causing congestion and longer than necessary delivery times. Too many times these services
compete against each other and don’t really help the goal, which is to move freight for pay.
Until the 1960’s coastal container shipping was a regular 3rd
mode of transportation here in
the US. Since then it has decreased to almost zero. Barge freight has increased over 300% so
we have not forgotten how to ship on our domestic waterways, we just need to bring back
coastal container vessels to compliment rail, barge and truck to make the USA the strongest
most efficient transportation country in the world.
There is much debate out there like “building ships here is cost prohibitive”, well that is not
true. If we adopt new methods of building similar to the Liberty ships we built during war
times then we can reduce the cost and make domestic ship building profitable. Think of all the
skilled jobs that would put in our economy, the peripheral business it would grow and the tax
dollars to local, state and federal budgets it would produce.
Next you often hear “it is too expensive to crew these with US personnel”, to this I say
HOGWASH! We have many internationally acclaimed and prestigious Maritime academies in
our country producing qualified candidates to crew these vessels. Unfortunately for them they
usually end up living in other countries after graduation. We can employ them here in America
with careers instead of transient jobs in other countries.
Then they say “our ports can’t handle this, they are not as good as others in the world”, I
would say ^$@%*)! to that. We have the largest group of port locations, the longest coastline
and the longest river system in the world. There are port locations we just need to re-awaken,
once that happens the world will be jealous not complaining about our ports. We have the
resources, people and knowledge to do this, right now with coastal shipping as it is there is no
need for them. Once we get it moving again we will put all of these back to work adding civil,
casual and union workers all over the country.

5. We as a country need to wake up and smell the coffee; our roads are 4.7 TRILLION dollars in
the hole! That amount only gets them repaired, not improved! We have a growing population,
(estimates are for 2 to 3% annually), that will mean much more commerce on the roads in the
very near future. If we do not re-adopt the American Marine Highway system, Change our
thinking about transportation and what “needs” to be on the roads, we are in a lot of trouble.
Will it be easy, NO. Will it be complicated, YES.
Can we do it…….ABSOLUTELY.
As Americans we have encountered difficulties since the beginning of our country. Each and
Every time we adapt and overcome these challenges, this makes us the best and strongest
country on Earth. How many of you know that close to 90% of us live within 100 miles of
navigable waterways? That means much of what we move can go by water and meet trucks or
rail for the first / last mile much closer to the origin or destination of the product. If we begin
this transition now with some brave forward thinking companies both small and large it will
catch on and grow. Doing this now can assist in the growth of our country’s commerce, it
won’t fix all the road, rail or other issues, although it will put a pretty good dent in them
possibly enough to open our eyes to the final piece we have yet to uncover that makes
everything seamless.
This is why I added the history lesson above, you can see that throughout time water
transportation has not only been considered the best costing mode of transportation, it has
been proved to be such over and over again.
Join me, along with others I am working with to bring this back to the light. There is an old
saying that is stronger than “TEAM” and this is what it is going to take to make this work so
here goes:
“IT TAKES A VILLAGE”
Thank you.