The ever energetic Ebenezer Merry saw the land around the canal turnaround basin as ideal for a shipyard. He prepared the site and the tools and sent for James P. Gay, a shipbuilder. This was the beginning of Merry & Gay, Shipbuilders.

Wood chips and sawdust rose in great piles as this team built the largest number of ships at Milan by far, five vessels in 1856 alone. James Gay's percussive commands crackled above the zimmering saws and drumming hammers.

Shipbuilding brought many more skills to town - wrought iron works, sail makers and general merchants and carpenters - and became a main employer. Builders cam from out of town to take advantage of the white oak timber and other fine woods available locally. Between 1841 and 1867, the town built more than 75 lake schooners and other vessels.

Information from Harvest Gleanings for Ohio's Farm Village Heritage, Volume VII

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