The History of MATTHEWS BOATS

The MATTHEWS BOAT COMPANY begins operation with Scott Jeremiah building the first boat in his basement in Banscom.

Scott J. Matthews contracts with Lozier Company to build boats to be powered with Lozier engines and sold under the Lozier name.

31'6" Beulah, built under the Lozier name, runs 900 hours, 500 miles with 6hp, 2-cycle gas engine from Toledo, OH to Plattsburg, NY. This was a first for a gas-powered boat. Beulah was moving to the new Lozier plant.

STANDARD, an auto-boat marketed under the Lozier name, built by MATTHEWS, wins the Gold Cup.

Scott Matthews exhibits the MATTHEWS boat at the show in New York City in 1905. MATTHEWS was represented at the show every year through 1974 when the MATTHEWS Company closed.

Scott Matthews builds a 72' cruiser in Bascom, 70 miles from deep water and MATTHEWS severs their ties with the Lonzier Company due to conflicting future goals.

The Matthews family shipped ONWARD by rail, on two 60' flat rail cars, from Bascom to Peoria, IL. They proceeded to cruise 9,000 miles through Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Keys, and up the East Coast, ending the journey in Cleveland one year later.

A group of businessmen recruit for a MATTHEWS Plant for Port Clinton, OH. Scott Matthews, along with 25 Bascom families, relocate to Port Clinton. By December 2, 1906, two shops had been built, slips dredged, and marine railway built.

WHIM, a 60' MATTHEWS owned by E. Ford, of the Toledo Yacht Club, wins the Third Annual Distance Race. WHIM continues to win consecutively for the following three years.

MAHAPA II, an 85' MATTHEWS Cruiser was built for H.A. Parsons of Cleveland. It was 85'x14'x4' cruiser named for Mrs. Parsons (Mabel Hannah Parsons).

W.E. Scripps, Commodore of the Detroit Motor Boat Club and President of Scripps Motor Company, contracts with MATTHEWS to build a 35' boat capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean under gasoline power.  The DETROIT sets off over 4,000 miles to Ireland and then Russia for the next 21 days, with a crew of three.

Mr. Ringling (of circus fame) inspects his 50' day cruiser being completed at The MATTHEWS Company. He will use the new boat in Sarasota, Florida after shipping her there by rail.

Built for Francis Hardy, President of the Diamond Rubber Company in Chicago. AELDGYTHA is one of the first diesel-powered yachts and totally American made. Built by John Wells at MATTHEWS and powered by Craig Engines. She is the largest boat ever built by the MATTHEWS Company.

America's highest powered yacht, the HAROLD, a 100' Cruiser with 900hp cruises at a speed of 30 knots, built for C. Harold Wills. As well, CLARINDA, a 95' yacht was built for Albert L. Stephens. At the same time, the ZUMBROTA was built for C. E. Ringling. A 70' shallow-draught cruiser. The fifth boat built for the Ringling family.

Unable to locate electric specialties for boats, MATTHEWS develops its own electric power capstan, automatic lighting and power plants (generators), electric hoists and pumps.

MAHAPA II, an 85' MATTHEWS Cruiser was built for H.A. Parsons of Cleveland. It was 85'x14'x4' cruiser named for Mrs. Parsons (Mabel Hannah Parsons).

W.E. Scripps, Commodore of the Detroit Motor Boat Club and President of Scripps Motor Company, contracts with MATTHEWS to build a 35' boat capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean under gasoline power.  The DETROIT sets off over 4,000 miles to Ireland and then Russia for the next 21 days, with a crew of three.

Mr. Ringling (of circus fame) inspects his 50' day cruiser being completed at The MATTHEWS Company. He will use the new boat in Sarasota, Florida after shipping her there by rail.