Adam E. Cornelius

Adam E. Cornelius (1882–1953) was one of the co-founders of the American Steamship Company and Boland and Cornelius Company.[1][2][3]

Adam E. Cornelius
Born1882
Died1953
NationalityAmerican
Other namesAdam Edward Cornelius
Occupationshipping executive
Known forcofounded American Steamship Company
Boland and Cornelius first ship, the SS Yale, shown underway prior to World War I, served as USS Yale (ID-1672), 1918–1920 and as USS Greyhound (IX-106), 1943–1944.

Biography

At age 20, Cornelius went to work for a small shipbroking and shipping chartering business owned by John J. Boland in Buffalo, New York.[1] Cornelius' position was an entry-level job, earning just $6 a week, but, by 1904, he had proven his worth and Boland invited him to enter into a partnership with his firm. In 1907, Boland and Cornelius launched a company which they named the American Steamship Company. Their first vessel, the SS Yale was the first steel vessel owned by a Buffalo firm and earned large profits for the partners. Boland and Cornelius ran the American Steamship Company successfully until the Great Depression, at which point Cornelius came up with the idea of converting the company's fleet to self-unloaders. This strategy paid off. Cornelius' son, Adam E. Cornelius Jr. was involved with the American Steamship Company, and took over as chairman after Cornelius Sr. died in 1953.[4]

Four vessels owned by the American Steamship Company have been named the Adam E. Cornelius in his honor, in 1908, 1948, 1959, and 1973.[5][6][7]

References
  1. "Boland and Cornelius: Pioneers of Great Lakes Shipping". American Steamship Lines. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2015-01-01. In 1902, Adam E. Cornelius went to work for John J. Boland who hired him to do clerical work for six dollars a week. His acute business sense soon became apparent and quickly led to the Boland & Cornelius partnership.
  2. "Boland and Cornelius". CRWFlags.com. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  3. The Liberty Ships of World War II, By Greg H. Williams, page 255
  4. New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs. By New York (State). Court of Appeals, page 810.
  5. "M/V Adam E. Cornelius". American Steamship Lines. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2015-01-01. The M/V Adam E. Cornelius is powered by two 3500 HP General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) diesel engines. The vessel uses a conveyor system below its cargo holds to transport cargo to an inclined conveyor system that elevates the cargo to the deck-mounted boom conveyor. For maneuvering in port, the vessel is equipped with 1,000 HP bow and stern thrusters.
  6. George Wharton. "Adam E. Cornelius -- (Roger M. Kyes 1973 - 1989)". boatnerd. Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  7. Brian Wroblewski. "Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Sarah Spencer/ Jane Ann IV". boatnerd. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2015-01-02. The barge Sarah Spencer started its Great Lakes career as the powered steamer Adam E. Cornelius. It was built at Manitowoc, Wisconsin as hull #424 in 1959 and was named for one of the two founding members of American Steamship who had recently died in 1953. It was similar in appearance to AmShip's other steamers McKee Sons and Sharon but the Cornelius was a one off design.


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