GREAT LAKES MODELING DATABASE
GREAT LAKES MODELING ASSOCIATION RESEARCHING THROUGH A MODELERS POINT OF VIEW  

Fleet Colors

Using the Guide !!

Detailed information

It's always been a challenge finding what color paints the fleets have used over the years. Over the years I've managed to collect about 90 paints samples from the fleets.  I compiled a list of readily available paints accurately matching these samples. Be sure to read the Detailed information, it's a good read. If you have samples or information you wish to share, please email us at: bigfitz301@gmail.com

 

 

  American Steamship Co.    Fleet History  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1907 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Deckhouse Roof

1970 ? - >>

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

Came in around 1970.

Stack

1907 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Stack

1907 - >>

-

Red

-

Center band

Stack

1907 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Top and bottom band

Spar Deck

1970 ? - >>

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

Came in around 1970.

Spar Deck

1907 ? - >>

-

Beige

-

-

Bulwark

1907 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Hull Main

1907 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Boot Topping

1907 - >>

-

Red

-

-

Spar deck color was added / changed sometime around 1970 from Beige to a Deck Red. Stack is black with three even bands mid-stack. white-red-white

Sources: American Steamship - Sherwin Williams

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Boatnerd  Beige    Boatnerd  Oxide Red

 

 

   Buckeye Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

? - ?

-

Cream

-

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

021 - Roof Brown

10211

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

Possible used in the later years.

The Roof Brown color was used by the fleet in the 1950's per Sherwood Williams Marine Finishes. The John T. Hutchinson photo below shows a more Oxide Red. Strongly suspect this to be the same Oxide Red as other fleets used in her later years. I have to look into this.

Sources: Sherwin Williams

Image Credit - Please note web address:    sea-corps.com  Oxide Red

 

 

   Canadian Lake Carriers   Subsidiary of Keystone Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1927 - 1957

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Large wide band near top.

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Shield outline, silver center.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stack was black with a wide silver band near the top. A Silver shield outlined in red was in this band. The letters "C.L.C.L." in red on the four corners of the shield.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Central Paper Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1899 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Bulwark

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Coal Carriers Corporation & Baywater Shipping limited Fleets

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1915 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Stack

-

-

Red

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stacks where all black with a Red band near the top. Two white "C" outlined in black are in this red band.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Colonial Steamship Limited  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1933 - 1958

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle bulwark only.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Two bands mid stack.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Columbia Transportation Co.    Also know as    Olgebay Norton Co. 

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1900 - >>

-

Beige

-

-

Pilot House Roof

1950 ? - >>

-

Grey

-

A change in the 1950s

Texas Deck

1950 ? - >>

-

Grey

-

A change in the 1950s

Deckhouse Roof

1970 ? - >>

-

002 - Oxide Red

10021

Some newer boats.

Stack

-

-

Same as hull color

-

Main stack color.

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Columbia Star Logo

Stack

-

-

Yellow

-

Center band.

Spar Deck

1900 - >>

-

-

-

Early boats may have been different.

Spar Deck

1960s - >>

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

A change in the 1960s

Spar Deck

1990s - >>

-

Brown Maroon

-

More recent boats.

Bulwark

-

-

Beige

-

-

Hull Main

1900 - 1990s

Scalecoat

021 - Roof Brown

10211

Early years.

Hull Main

1900 - 1970s

Scalecoat

087 Box Car Red #2

10871

Used on a few boats in the early years.

Hull Main

1970s - 2000

-

Reddish Maroon

-

More recent boats.

Boot Topping

-

-

Orange

-

-

At various points with various boats over the fleets history, the colors change from a Hull Brown to more Maroon color. Early years the hulls where all Hull Brown. Later some boats it changed to a more Reddish Maroon color. More recent boats have a more Deeper Reddish Maroon color. Not sure how far back they used the Oxide Red on the Spar Decks.

Sources: Oglebay Norton - Sherwin Williams

Image Credit - Please note web address:    MHSD Hull Brown    MHSD  Early Maroon  USCG Later Maroon

 

 

   Cargo Carriers Incorporated.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1955 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Masts

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Both masts.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

Band near upper stack

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Boot Topping

-

-

Orange

-

 

Sources: M.H.S.D. Calender

 

 

   Davidson Steamship Co. Ltd.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1892 - 1942

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Spardeck railing

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Schooners only.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stacks where all black. Most of the schooners had a white narrow stripe along the spar deck.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Edwardburg / Canada Starch Co. Fleet   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1858 - 1955

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle Rail

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stacks where all black with the company logo in the middle. The Casco had a cream color stack.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Eastern Steamship Co. Ltd.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1923 - 1933

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Wide band mid-stack

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stacks had one large white band near the middle with a large "E".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Eastern and Western Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1923 - 1936

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had two narrow white bands near the middle with a large "W". Dates are not clear as to when the Western Steamship was formed. Note that the Eastern Steamship Co. was a part of this fleet.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   F. D. Gleason Coal Co.

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1921 - 193602

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Frames & Booms

-

-

Brownish-Beige

-

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Great Lakes Towing Co.    Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1899 - >>

-

Red

-

Any True Red

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Any True Red

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

(Stripe & Letters) Any True White

Spar Deck

-

-

Grey

-

-

Hull Main

1899 - 1960

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

Early years

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

077 - Reading Green

10771

Later years

The Brunswick Green is listed as being used before the 1960's. More recent photo's show a much brighter green. Some research is needed to narrow down the dates.

Sources: Sherwin Williams

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Boatnerd    Boatnerd

 

 

   Hindman Transportation Co.    Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1954 - 1978

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

1954 - 1978

-

Red

-

-

Stack

1954 - 1978

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

(Letters) Any True White

Spar Deck

1954 - 1978

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

1954 - 1978

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Fleet operated without and changes from 1954 - 1978.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Wellandcanal.ca    Wellandcanal.ca

 

 

  Interlake Steamship Co.    Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Deckhouse Roof

1913 - >>

Testors

Neutral Grey

FS36270

-

Forecastle

1913 - >>

Testors

Neutral Grey

FS36270

-

Stack

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

1913 - >>

-

Orange

-

-

Spar Deck

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

-

Bulwark

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

-

Hull Main

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

088 - Box Car Red #3

10881

-

Boottopping

1913 - >>

-

Orange

-

A slight pale Organge.

Little changed over the fleets history. More recent boats have there upper decks in the Oxide Red.

Sources: Interlake - Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Interlakesteamship.com

 

 

   Intestate Steamship Co.         Subsidiary J & L Steel Co.   Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1906 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

1906 - 1921

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Hull Main

1921 - 1946

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Hull Main

1947 - 1949

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Hull Lettering

1947 - 1949

-

Bright Yellow

-

Yellow "J & L Steel"

Hull Main

1950 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had a white diamond near the top with "J & L" inside. In 1947the logo changed to a yellow square with "J & L" inside and the word "STEEL" bellow the letters.

Hull in 1947 had the words "Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation" in bright yellow painted on the side.

Lots of changes over the years. Note the date for the Hull color.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Huron Steamship  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1932 - 1937

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle bulwark only.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Two bands mid stack.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Fairwell and Lockwell had all black stacks.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Keystone Fleet  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1909 - 1995

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

1909 - 1995

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

1909 - 1995

-

Silver

-

Large wide band near top.

Stack

1909 - 1995

-

Red

-

-

Hull Main

1909 - 1927

-

Dark Olive Drab

-

Early years.

Hull Main

1927 - 1956

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Later years.

Stack was black with a wide silver band near the top. A keystone shape was then superimposed in red on this band. The letter "K" in silver was placed the middle of the keystone. Early boats had a white circle with black center on the bow. In the middle was a white "K".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Kinney Steamship Co.

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1909 - 1937

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Fwd Railing Caps

-

-

Orange-Red

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Stacks where all black with a white angled diamond with a black diamond in the middle. In this black diamond was a "K" in a Orange-Red.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Kinsman Marine Transit Co.    Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

1901 - >>

-

Silver

-

(Stripe & Letters) Any True White

Stack

1901 - >>

-

Green

-

Main Stripe

Spar Deck

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

021 - Roof Brown

10211

Same as hull color.

Hull Main

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

021 - Roof Brown

10211

Used on most boats.

Hull Main

2003 - 2005

-

Reddish Brown

-

Used on Joseph H. Franz

Spar deck appears to by the same as hull color. The Joseph H. Franz had a more Reddish Brown hull color.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Boatnerd  Hull Brown    Boatnerd  Oglebay Norton Maroon

 

 

   J & L Steel Co.    Subsidiary of Interstate Steamship Company   Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1906 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

1906 - 1921

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Hull Main

1921 - 1946

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Hull Main

1947 - 1949

Scalecoat

006 - PRR Brunswick Green

10061

-

Hull Lettering

1947 - 1949

-

Bright Yellow

-

Yellow "J & L Steel"

Hull Main

1950 - >>

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had a white diamond near the top with "J & L" inside. In 1947the logo changed to a yellow square with "J & L" inside and the word "STEEL" bellow the letters.

Hull in 1947 had the words "Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation" in bright yellow painted on the side.

Lots of changes over the years. Note the date for the Hull color.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Jupiter Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1937 - 1963

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

Dark Red

-

-

Stack

-

-

Black

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

-

Stacks where all Dark Red with a Black band on the top.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Lake Ports Shipping and Navigation Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1921 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

Black

10101

Any True Black

Hull Main

-

-

Red

-

-

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Mathews Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1904 - 1933

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had two silver bands near the top. Most earlier boats carried a white circle with a black "M" below the forecastle. Logo changed sometime in the 20's to two white circles inside each other with a white text in between reading "Mathew S.S. CO. LTD. A "M" was then in the middle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   McCarthy Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

077 - Reading Green

10771

-

Stacks had the full company name.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Minnesota - Atlantic Transit Co. "Poker Fleet"

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1922 - 1942

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

1922 - 1942

-

Yellow-Orange

-

-

Main Deck

1922 - 1942

-

Buff

-

-

Hull Main

1922 - 1942

-

Light Grey

-

-

Boot topping

1922 - 1942

-

Red

-

-

Stacks where a yellow orange with a black top. A large black "M" placed near the top of the yellow-orange.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Minnesota Steamship Co.

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1889 - 1902

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

1889 - 1902

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Forecastle

Early years

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

1889 - 1902

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Early hulls had white forecastles with a white band down the hull just below the spar deck. Stacks where all black with a white triangle with the letter "M" in Red.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Midland Navigation    Playfair Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1910 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Grey or Silver

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black with a light color band. The band had a flag with a diamond in the middle. A white "MN Co.' was then in the middle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Midland Steamship Line Inc.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Masts

-

-

Yellow Orange & Black

-

Forward mast yellow, rear is black.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Orange

-

Wide band mid-stack

Hull Main

-

-

Red-Purple

-

Very deep almost black.

Stacks where all black with a orange band mid-stack with a black letter "M" in the band.

Sources: M.H.S.D. Calendar

 

 

   Misener Fleet  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1917 - 1995

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Two bands mid stack.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

 Early boats had forecastle bulwark in white. Later larger boats the entire forecastle was white. Later boats also had "Misener" or "Misener Transportation" in white on the side of the hull.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Morrow Steamship Co.    Paisley Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1915 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Red

-

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black with a red diamond trimmed with a white band with a smaller black diamond in the middle. A white "M' was then in the middle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   National Steel Corporation 

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Masts

-

-

Black

-

Both masts.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

White Star mid-stack

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

087 Box Car Red #2

10871

-

 Sources: Book The Lakers II

 

 

   N.M. Paterson & Sons Ltd. 

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1951 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Fwd Rail Caps

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Masts

-

-

Yellow & Black

-

Forward mast yellow, rear black

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Letter "P" mid-stack

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

 Stacks where all black with a elongated red diamond trimmed with a white band with a smaller black diamond in the middle. A white "P' was then in the middle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Paisley Steamship    Paisley Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1915 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Red

-

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black with a red diamond trimmed with a white band with a smaller black diamond in the middle. A white "P' was then in the middle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Pierson Steamship Limited   Earlier Soo River Company

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1975 - 1982

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle

Bow Band

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

30" wide band

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Main Color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Large top band

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Most boats had a white band bellow the forecastle. Some boats had this band run to the stern. Some boats had "Pierson" on the side of the hull.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Petoskey Transportation Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1921 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

-

Stack

-

-

Black Band top

10101

Any True Black

Hull Main

-

-

Light Grey

-

-

More research is needed.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Pittsburgh Steamship Co.    Later know as the    U.S. Great Lakes Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1913 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

-

-

-

-

More research is needed.

Sources: Sherwin Williams

 

 

   Pioneer Steamship Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Masts

-

-

Brown & Black

-

Fwd Brown - Aft Black

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Letter "H" Mid-stack

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

021 - Roof Brown

10211

-

Boot Topping

-

-

Orange

-

-

Sources: M.H.S.D. Calender

 

 

   Port Colborne & St. Lawrence Navigation Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1915 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Reoch Steamship Company Limited  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1946 - 1995

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle bulwark

Bulwark Cap

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Large band mid-stack.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Large "R" in red band.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Sarnia Steamship  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1933 - 1952

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle bulwark only.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Two bands mid stack.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Shenango Furnace Co.    Fleet History    Fleet History

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1906 - 1969

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

1906 - 1969

-

-

-

-

Stack

1906 - 1969

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

1906 - ??

-

Cream

-

-

Spar Deck

1906 ? - 1969

Scalecoat

002 - Oxide Red

10021

-

Hull Main

1906 - 1969

Scalecoat

036 - C&NW Green

10361

-

Boottopping

1906 - 1969

-

Orange

-

-

More research is needed.

Sources: Sherwin Williams - Book The Fleet Histories

Image Credit - Please note web address:    Image    Boatnerd   Uakron.edu

 

 

   The Internatioal - Harvester Fleet  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1918 - 1981

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle bulwark

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color and lettering.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Square logo only.

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Letter "I"

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black with a white square. In the square was a black "H" with a red "I" over the H. This same logo was on the bow forecastle.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   The Merchants Mutual Line   Later part of Canadian Steamship Lines

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1911 - 1914

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Bow Logo

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Circle only, black "M"

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Later years.

The bow had a white circle and in the middle was a black "M".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   The Soo River Company   Later Pierson Steamship Limited

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1959 - 1975

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Forecastle

Bow Band

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

30" wide band

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Main Color

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Large top band

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

-

Most boats had a white band bellow the forecastle. Some boats had this band run to the stern. Some boats had "Soo River Company" on the side of the hull.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   T.J. McCarthy Steamship Co.  

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Masts

-

-

Yellow & Black

-

Forward mast yellow, rear mast black.

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Wide band mid-stack

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Later years.

Stack was black with wide red band mid-stack. A large bold black "M" was in this band..

Sources: M.H.S.D. Calender

 

 

   Tomlinson Fleets   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1901 - >>

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Deep Red-Purple

-

-

-

Stack

-

Silver

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

Deep Red-Purple

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

Deep Red-Purple

-

-

-

Stacks where all Deep Red-Purple with two wide spaced wide silver bands. Spar deck appears to be the same as hull color. More research is needed as the Tomlinson Fleets as it has a long history of buyouts and mergers. Such as I noticed the Sylvania with a typical Scalecoat 021 - Roof Brown color.

Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Water Transports   Subsidiary of Keystone Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1927 - 1957

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

-

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Main Color

Stack

-

-

Silver

-

Large wide band near top.

Stack

-

-

Red

-

Shield outline.

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Later years.

Stack was black with a wide silver band near the top. A red circle was in this band with a silver "W" in this circle. The bow had a white circle with black center . In the middle was a white "W".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Waterways Navigation Company   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1929 - 1959

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Red

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had one large red band near in the middle with a large "W".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Valley Camp Steamship    Paisley Fleet

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1915 - ??

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

-

Red

-

-

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks where all black with a red diamond with a smaller black diamond in the middle. Early years a few vessels where entirely black.

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   Voyageur Marine Transport Limited   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

2000? -

Polly

Reefer White

PLS-414113

-

Forecastle

-

Polly

Reefer White

PLS-414113

Fwd only

Masts

-

-

Yellow - Orange

-

Fwd - Aft

Stack

-

Polly

Blue

PLS-414230

PLS-414113

Main color MIX See note

Stack

-

Polly

Reefer White

PLS-414113

Wide center band.

Hull Main

-

Polly

Blue

PLS-414230

PLS-414113

MIX See note

Hull Main color: Mixed 65% Polly "Bar Blue" and 35% Polly "Reefer White".

Sources: Modeler  Kevin Williams   Model Maritime Trader

 

 

   Western Steamship Co. Ltd.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1933 - 1936

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Forecastle

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Stack

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stack

-

Scalecoat

011 - White

10111

Any True White

Hull Main

-

Scalecoat

010   - Black

10101

Any True Black

Stacks had one large white band near in the middle with a large "W".

Sources: Book The Fleet Histories

 

 

   United State Coast Guard  

 U.S. COAST GUARD COATINGS AND COLOR MANUALS. From the U.S.C.G.

USRCS Painting Regs 1897  1907  1914  1916  1927  1935  1952  1965  1973

 

   Misc. Colors   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Cargo Hold #1

-

-

Grey

-

-

Cargo Hold #2

-

-

Orange

-

-

Cargo Hold #3

-

-

Olive Drab

-

-

Cargo Hold #4

-

-

Oxide Red

-

-

Stack #1

-

Testors

Marker Red

2127

Not sure what Fleet.

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

   Co.   

Description

Years

Paint

Description

#

Notes

Deckhouse

1900 - >>

-

-

-

-

Deckhouse Roof

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Stack

-

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Spar Deck

-

-

-

-

-

Bulwark

-

-

-

-

-

Hull Main

-

-

-

-

-

Boottopping

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

Using this paint guide!!

  • Decryption: Location on the boat.

  • Year: Years this color was used. Note this is a best guess, more research may be needed to narrow your project down.

  • Paint: Suggested paint manufacture to used.

  • Description: Manufacture paint description.

  • # : Manufacture paint number or code.

  • Notes: Any details to help guide you in your project.

  • Text, images and links are listed on the bottom to better help your research.

 

  • Paints listed are very accurate and matched up to the actual paints used by the fleets.

  • If mixing is required a detail mix ratio will be listed.

  • Some colors are basic like Black, White or True Red or Greens. Other paint manufactures can be used other then what’s listed.

  • If there is a ? near the year!! What I am having a hard time with is the years a fleet used a particular color. Anything prior to the 1940's should be looked into further.