In early 1890 William H. Gilcher and Randall E. Schuck, noted lumber merchants from Sandusky and Joseph C. Gilchrist of Vermilion, actively engaged in operating of various vessels on the Great Lakes, decided to build a new large steam freighter to transport various cargo as addition to their fleet.

On 24 June 1890 it was reported that the partners agreed on the contract worth approximately US$200,000 with Cleveland Shipbuilding Co. to construct such vessel, largely identical to another ship being built by the shipyard, SS Western Reserve.

Gilcher and Western Reserve were two of the first lake freighters to be constructed out of steel plate and not wood or iron as was a common practice.

Use of steel made it possible to build a larger vessel capable of carrying heavier loads than steamships operating on the lakes at the time.

Gilcher was commissioned for service and departed Cleveland on 13 May 1891 on her maiden voyage carrying a cargo of coal bound for Milwaukee.

[8] The freighter continued moving various cargoes such as wheat, corn, coal and iron ore between different ports on Great Lakes through the end of her short career.

In April 1892 it was reported that she went aground at Point Edward on the Canadian side of the river after her wheel chains parted.

Captain Buchanan of schooner Seaman reported observing a large steamer struggling against the wind in the storm around 20 miles northwest of North Manitou Island at about 20:00 on October 28.

[16] Captain Dennis of schooner John Shaw observed large amount of wreckage including furniture and part of the bridge floating in the lake when passing off the South Manitou Island.

However, due to short duration of Bessemer process it allowed little time to adjust composition of the alloying elements in the steel.

Presence of both of these elements reduced ductility of final product, resulting in material that was not able to withstand frequent compression, extension and torsion loads experienced by these type of vessels during their journeys.

Gilcher is the largest shipwreck on Lake Michigan whose location is not known, following the discovery of wreck of the car ferry SS Pere Marquette No.