The schooner Meridian was built in 1848 at Black River, Ohio, by William Jones. She measured 185 tons, 120 feet in length, 23 feet in beam , and 9 feet in depth of hold . Although little is known about the early history of the Meridian, the family of shipwrights that built her is well documented as a leader of mid-nineteenth century Great Lakes shipbuilding.

Meridian enrollment, 1862, Port of Detroit View larger version

William Jones' father was the shipwright and ship captain Augustus Jones. Augustus built sailing vessels in Connecticut as early as the War of 1812. The Jones family later moved west to the Great Lakes region, building hundreds of ships of all types through the mid-nineteenth century. William built twenty-eight vessels at his Black River, Ohio, shipyard, including the schooner Meridian in 1848.

The Milwaukee Sentinel mentions the schooner Meridian in August of 1849. The article outlined an incident in which the Meridian's second mate , James Bain, was killed in a scuffle among the officers. Bain had attacked the captain and thrown the first mate, Harvey Rammage, overboard. Rammage, hauled back aboard by the crew, subsequently killed Bain with a blow from his fist.