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Vandergrift, Jacob Jay

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Vandergrift, Jacob Jay

Published: August 18, 2006, 4:28 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 4:28 pm
Lead Author: Cutler Cleveland
Topics: Transportation
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This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

Jacob Jay Vandergrift (1827-1899) was an American pioneer of the bulk oil transportation industry. In 1861, he towed two large coal boats loaded with 4,000 empty barrels to Oil City, PA with his steamer, the Red Fox. While delivering the barrels, he bought 5,000 barrels worth of oil. To get the oil back to Pittsburgh, he had a contractor build 12 boats, 80 feet long, 14 feet wide and three feet deep, each with a capacity of 400 barrels. With these boats Vandergrift launched a very profitable barge business. These boats were the precursors of today's huge tankers.

Citation

Cutler Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Vandergrift, Jacob Jay". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved February 4, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Vandergrift,_Jacob_Jay>

The Author

Cutler Cleveland Editor-in-Chief The Encyclopedia of Earth Cutler J. Cleveland is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. Dr. Cleveland is currently a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Boston University, with joint appointments in the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies and the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer Range Future. He also is a Senior Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington D.C. Dr. Cleveland is als ... (Full Bio)

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