Fogg Marine Enterprises
History
The company was founded in the early 1970’s by Clyde Fogg as a hobby business.
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Having a summer home on Beaver Island, and the only way of getting to or from the island is by boat or airplane, he purchased the 70-foot tug Willard L and hired a young man, Robert Gillespie, as his right-hand man to rebuild the tug and started the business. Years passed, Robert bought out his brother, Gillespie Oil & Transport, and established the transport business. The purchase included the tug American Girl and Barge 19, a heavily built barge, still in use today. As Robert himself was not a Captain and knowing the challenges of finding a commercial captain, he organized various Captains to run the tug barge.
Clyde Fogg’s grandson, Matt, while in high school worked for Robert in the summers, becoming very familiar with the transport business. Upon graduation Matt enrolled into the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City Michigan. Matt spent 3 years at the Academy and during his tenure worked on several of the Great Lake’s vessels acquiring an Unlimited Chief Engineer’s Certification. Upon graduation he took the position of Head Captain of the small St. James Marine Company.
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After working many years side by side with Robert Gillespie, Matt’s confidant, boss and friend, and due to Robert’s failing health, Captain Matt purchased the St. James Marine Company.
He needed upgraded equipment so he purchased a tug in Boston and had the vessel totally refitted to modern marine standards. With the purchase of newer equipment, the company has grown from a small hobby to a respectable marine business doing work throughout the Great Lakes.
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St. James Marine Company’s home port is Ironton Michigan, just south of Charlevoix. With his tugs, Jennifer Anne Fogg and Clyde W. Fogg, and various barges, the Company is posed for the future.