The twin steamers 'Herbert N. Edwards' and 'Martin J. Marran' are tied alongside the pier at the Portland Company where they were being outfitted for use by the Atlantic Fertilizer Company.

The Francis Cobb Shipyard of Rockland built the steamers, which were then towed to Portland for outfitting.

The Canadian government bought both vessels to use as minesweepers during World War I, then resold them for fishing purposes in 1919.