Garland Steamship Corporation

The Garland Steamship Corporation was founded by Denis Sullivan, and incorporated in the state of New York.

Sullivan was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1849. As a child he immigrated with his family to Dunnville, Ontario, near Lake Erie. The Great Lakes captured his imagination and he began sailing when he was just seventeen. In 1873 he settled in Milwaukee, which was then a shipping and shipbuilding center for the Great Lakes. An active sailor, he soon got to know the local shipping companies, and in 1874 was awarded command of the new schooner Moonlight.

Captain Sullivan sailed the Moonlight for eleven years, from 1874 -1885. Under his skillful command the Moonlight gained the reputation of being the region's fastest schooner, the "Queen of the Lakes".

Captain Sullivan's career changed with the shipping industry. After the Moonlight, he became the captain for the steamship Veronica. Later he served as a marine inspector, a vessel manager and a marine insurance broker. Eventually, he formed his own company in Chicago, the Garland Steamship Company and D. Sullivan & Company. By the end of his long career, which began in Milwaukee, Captain Sullivan's expertise made him a valued member of the Chicago Harbor Commission and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Some of the company’s vessels included…

The USS Polar Sea
The SS Carolinian
The SS Silverbirch (2)


Certificate: Common Capital Stock, issued in the 1920’s

Printer: Franklin-Lee Division, American Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 8 1/2” (h) x 12” (w)

State: NY-New York

Subject Matter: Maritime and Related | Shipping Lines

Vignette Topic(s): Ship Featured

Condition: Vertical and horizontal fold lines, liquidation stamp cancels in the signature areas and body, toning and edge faults from age.