the "ss william g. mather" was a long great lakes freighter that was built in 1905, by the great lakes engineering works (glew) of ecorse, michigan, for the grand island steamship company (managed by cleveland-cliffs iron company). her keel was laid on may 18, 1905. she was launched on september 23, 1905, as hull #9. the ship was named after william g. mather, the cleveland-cliffs executive. she was powered by a 2,000 horsepower triple expansion steam engine which was attached to a single fixed pitch propeller. she was fueled by two coal-fired scotch marine boilers. she is notable for being the first great lakes freighter with a beam. she entered service in january, 1905.