Painting of Peter A. B. Widener Ship on Display

The Town of Essex would like to thank George and Janice Meisner for donating this beautiful painting of the Peter A. B. Widener, as well as their work with the Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society (HEIRS) for bringing this part of history to the community.

The Peter A. B. Widener was built by the Chicago Shipbuilding Company located in Chicago Illinois.  The ship launched on October 20, 1906 and measured 601 feet long, 58 feet wide and 32 feet deep.  The main power source was coal-fired boilers to propel the ship through the Great Lakes between 1906 and 1980. This ship oftentimes passed by Colchester carrying iron ore. Sadly, in 1980 the ship was retired from service and converted to a storage barge.  In 1986 the boat was sold and dismantled for scrap metal in Lauzon Quebec.  Finally in 1987 the Widener was towed to Portugal where it ended its long career.

The painting is currently on display in the community room at the Colchester Harbour.