Boatbuilders of Fairhaven

by David Boucher, R. Scott Morris

This is a historical account of three pivotal, 20th century Fairhaven boat builders, Major J. Casey, William H. Hand Jr. and Palmer Scott. Their work influenced the fourth protagonist in this story, the famous C. Raymond Hunt who was the designer and moving force behind many famous, revolutionary yacht designs such as the Concordia yawl, Boston Whaler, and the Bertram Moppie. Major Casey was a rough old "meat and potatoes" builder who manufactured a plethora of fast sailing vessels, rum-runners and more than 100 military rescue boats during World War Two. William Hand invented the V-hull power boat in 1909 and perfected the motorsailer yacht. He was an avid swordfisherman which was a powerful motivation in his designs. Palmer Scott was a pioneer in the use of marine plywood and fiberglass for building boats. What they all had in common was boats and they tapped into the two centuries of boatbuilding skill and expertise accumulated by the workmen in Fairhaven which was the catalyst that propelled their good fortune.