"THE NEW CATBOAT DOT." Built by George W. Byles in 1898.
N. Y. Herald, May 15, 1898, p. 4, col. 2. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
* * * * *
Below is the text of a large number of items regarding George Washington Byles and his City Island boatyard. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
“GEORGE W.
BYLES.
George W. Byles, a successful and
enterprising yacht and boat builder of City Island, borough of the Bronx, where
he has been engaged in ship building for a number of years, was born in the
seventeenth ward, borough of Brooklyn, September 16, 1848, son of William H. and
Eliza (Barker) Byles. His father,
William H. Byles, was a native of England, and his mother was a native of
Eastchester, Westchester county, New York.
William H. Byles was for many years engaged at
the trade of ship carpenter in Brooklyn, where he was employed with the
celebrated ship builder, George Steers, who designed and built the yacht
‘America,’ that won the English cup, a trophy much prized by American
yachtsmen.
Mr. Byles [William H. Byles] died May
4, 1876, and the faithful wife and mother of his children died in May,
1885. They had by their union in
marriage a family of seven children, of whom George W. and William H., of New
York city, are the only surviving ones.
George W. Byles was reared and
educated in his native city, and upon attaining to manhood years learned the
yacht and boat building trade. On June
1, 1869, Mr. Byles came to City Island, where he became engaged in the ship
building trade, which line of enterprise he has successfully followed up to the
present period. Among his patrons are
many well known New York families. By his skill and enterprise Mr. Byles has
done much to improve and design various classes of pleasure craft and has become
recognized as one of the leading yacht and boat builders of City Island. Mr. Byles is a member of City Island Council,
Royal Areanum.
He was married at City Island, August 17, 1872, to Mary A. Pease, born
July, 1848, daughter of Elias and Mary H. (Fowler) Pease.”
Source: “GEORGE W. BYLES” in Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions and
Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. IV, p. 281 (NY and
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company,
1907).
“CITY ISLAND.
Capt. James Hyatt’s sloop, Romans, is
being overhauled; a much-needed piece of work.
Mr. Geo. W. Byles has just completed
an 18-foot copper-fastened oyster skiff, for one of the City Island
oystermen. Mr. B. has an order to build
a 17-foot shell boat for Mr. Aaron Vail. . . .”
Source: City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon,
NY], Jul. 18, 1879, Vol. X, No. 513, p. 2, col. 4.
"CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM. . . .
Mr. Geo. W. Byles has just finished the alteration and lengthening of the yacht Mary B. She has been lengthened nine inches, and the position of her centre-board changed. The prime object of the addition in the length was to make her sharper at the bow. She is to be fitted with a new suit of sails, for which Mr. A. H. Burrill, of the firm of Phillips & Burrill, corner of East and Delancy streets, New York, took the measure on Wednesday last. The Mary B. is 14 feet 11 inches long."
Source: CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 5, 1880, Vol. XI, No. 546, p. 2, col. 5.
"CITY ISLAND NOTES. . . .
CHARLES BAXTER is building a two story house, 35 x 26, on Schofield avenue for George W. Byles. He is also building a two story house for Mr. J. Abraham, on Main street, 24 x 36. . . ."
Source: CITY ISLAND NOTES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 3, 1882, p. 2, col. 5.
"CITY ISLAND. . . .
The Surf, a cutter recently built by Mr. George W. Byles, was launched on Monday last. . . ."
Source: CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 22, 1883, p. 3, col. 4.
"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND . . .
Messrs. A. B. Wood and son have on hand a large amount of work in small boat building, as has also Mr. George W. Byles. . . ."
Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 2, 1884, p. 3, col. 4.
“CITY ISLAND. . .
.
There is unusual quiet just now, at
the ship yards, nothing more extensive than repairing being done. Messrs. Carll,
Hawkins and Robinson & Co., each getting their share of small boats, quite a
number are building. Mr. Geo. W. Byles
has several sailboats under way, and Messrs. Wood & Son are kept busy. . .
.”
Source: CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon,
NY], Jun. 20, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 770, p. 3, cols. 3-4.
“PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . .
Mr. George W. Byles, has several new
boats about ready to launch, and prospects of three more to build. . .
.”
Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb.
13, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 804, p. 3, col. 3.
“PELHAM AND CITY
ISLAND.
Mr. John O. Fordham has been engaged
recently in small boat building. He
completed the ninth one on Wednesday last.
A special musical exercise for Easter
Day services, in the Church of the Redeemer, is in preparation by Mrs. I. C.
Hill.
Mr. George W. Byles has just
contracted for the building of several boats.
Messrs. Wood & Son are also quite busy building small boats. The shipyards are dull places this winter. .
. .”
Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb.
27, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 806, p. 3, col. 3.
“New Rochelle Steam
Launch.
Last summer several residents of our
village conceived the idea that a Steam Launch, that could be used as a pleasure
boat or for other purposes, was what was wanted in New Rochelle. The idea was promulgated among our citizens
and was favorably received. Last
September a company was formed, and incorporated under the laws of the State of
New York for the purpose of towing vessels, and carrying passengers and
freight. The company is composed of the
following gentlemen: John S. Nicholas,
President; James Ross, Vice President; Wm. E. Johnson, Treasurer; C. H. Morgan,
Secretary.
An order was given to Mr. George W.
Byles, shipbuilder, of City Island, who has a wide reputation for being a
first-class boat builder, to build a first class boat. It was expected that the hull of the boat
would have been finished by the first of November, but through pressure of
business that gentleman was unable to complete it by that time. Last week the company received word that the
boat would be ready to launch on Saturday morning at about eleven o’clock. Saturday morning the exceedingly wet weather
somewhat ‘dampened’ the spirits of many of the company, who had expected to be
present at the launch, but after some little ‘drumming up’ a sufficient number
was got together to comfortably fill one of Coe & Morgan’s stages. Arriving at City Island they found thy were
too late to see the boat slide down the greased ways. The boat had not floated, however, and they
had the satisfaction of seeing the launch of the boat completed, and were
enabled to render some assistance in so doing.
The boat had already had a bottle of wine broken over the bow, but the
delegates of the company had supplied themselves with a bottle of wine for that
purpose, and securing the services of little Miss Bertie Barstow, proposed that
when the boat floated she should break the bottle on the bow and name it the
‘Frolic.’ After some few preliminaries
all hands put a good strong ‘shoulder to the wheel,’ and the ‘Frolic’ glided
into the Sound, where she floated as buoyantly and gracefully as a swan. The bottle was broken, the boat named, and
exclamations of delight were expressed by those present, and Mr. Byles felt
happy. Captain DeVeau, of the propeller ‘Captain Joh’ towed the boat to New
Rochelle in the afternoon, and on Tuesday it was drawn on ways on Mr.
Stephenson’s property, and safely housed for the winter. The dimensions of the boat are: length, 50 feet over all; keel, 43 feet;
beam, 11 feet; depth, 6 1-2 feet; tonnage, 20 tons. In the spring work will be resumed on the
boat. The cabin and births [sic] will be
elaborately fitted up, and she will be supplied with a 20 horse compound engine,
and a 36 inch screw. When finished she
will be capable of accommodating about 60 persons. The capital stock of the company is $1,750,
nearly all of which has been paid in.
They are sanguine of success in their new enterprise.”
Source: New Rochelle Steam Launch, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 19, 1885,
p. 2, col. 3.
“City Island. . .
.
Judge George W. Byles sold his place
to a New York party for $8,000. The spot
is to be used for manufacturing purposes. . . .”
Source: City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb.
20, 1891, p. 1, col. 6.
“Yachts Reported at City
Island.
CITY ISLAND, N. Y., May 9. – The
following yachts passed here to-day:
Bound West – Steam yacht Trophy, Edwin H. Bennett.
Passed East – Steam yacht Evelyn, J.
K. Hegeman, and yawl yacht Lettie, C. A. Harraman.
Cutter yacht Mopsa, J. W. Harrison, was launched to-day from the yard of
George W. Byles and is nearly ready to go into commission.
Sloop yacht Sasqua, Henry Andruss, from
New-Rochelle, arrived here this afternoon to haul out at the yard of William
McAllister to clean and paint.”
Source: Yachts Reported at City Island, N.Y. Times, May 10, 1894, p. 3, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“YACHTS REPORTED. . .
.
Yawl Pilgrim, Charles Crawford, from
Brooklyn, arrived here and was hauled out at George W. Byles’s yard to overhaul.
. . .”
Source: YACHTS REPORTED, N.Y. Times, Jun. 15, 1895, p. 3, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“June 11, 1896 CHAP. 426. – An Act For
the relief of William H. Scofield, Jacob Brady, James Ketcham, Annie Booth, as administratrix of the goods, chattels, and credits of George
W. Booth, deceased; Wilson P. Billar, Ezra L.
Waterhouse, Moses C. Bell, George W. Byles, and George A.
Scofield.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That
William H. Scofield, Jacob Brady, James Ketcham, Annie
Booth, as administratrix of the goods, chattels, and
credits of George W. Booth, deceased; Wilson P. Billar, Ezra L. Waterhouse, Moses C. Bell, George W. Byles,
and George A. Scofield be, and they are hereby released from any liability as
sureties on the bond of Neil Hepburn, by reason of the defalcation of Neil
Hepburn, as late postmaster at City Island, New York. And the Secretary of the
Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue as against said
William H. Scofield, Jacob Brady, James Ketcham, Annie
Booth, as administratrix of the goods, chattels, and
credits of George W. Booth, deceased; Wilson P. Billar, Ezra L. Waterhouse, Moses C. Bell, George W. Byles,
and George A. Scofield any action that may have been instituted against them to
enforce such liability, and to cause to be satisfied of record any judgment that
may have been entered against said sureties in any such action: Provided, however, That the provisions hereof
shall apply only to the bond covering amounts accrued subsequent to September
thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-three.
Approved, June 11,
1896.”
Source: “June 11, 1896 CHAP. 426” in Public Laws of
the United States of America, Passed at the First Session of the Fifty-Fourth
Congress, 1895-1896, p. 50 (Washington, D.C.:
Government Printing Office, 1896).
“The Yawl Pawnee
Launched.
CITY ISLAND, July 18. – E. D. Morgan
Waterman’s new yawl-rigged yacht Pawnee was launched this afternoon from the
yard of George W. Byles. Her dimensions
are 53 feet over all, 35 feet 7 inches water line, and 13 feet 7 inches
beam. She was designed by H. G. Gielow.”
Source: The Yawl Pawnee Launched, N.Y. Times, Jul. 19, 1896, p. 6, col. 3 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“THE NEW CATBOAT
DOT.
-----
New Under Construction at City Island
for Rear Commodore C. T. Pierce, of the Riversides.
-----
George W. Byles, the City Island yacht
builder, has on the stocks in an advanced stage a saucy looking catboat for Rear
Commodore C. T. Pierce, of the Riverside Yacht Club. She is being built after designs by H. J.
Gielow, and is of the following dimensions: --
Length over all, 37 feet 3 inches;
length on load waterline, 23 feet; beam, 12 feet; draught, 26 inches. She has good freeboard, and her cabin is
roomy and well lighted, being 15 feet long, with 5 feet 7 inches clear head room
under carlines. The cockpit is 9 feet
long, and is self-bailing; in fact, the boat is designed as a thoroughly
comfortable cruiser, with all the home comforts permissible on a craft of her
dimensions. Her construction has been
worked out very carefully and is thoroughly strong and substantial, more than
one-half the fastening being driven through and clinched on the inside. She will have a moderated rig, with hollow
spars, and her sail will be from Wilson & Silsby’s
loft. No expense will be spared to make
her a comfortable boat. She has a
graceful sheer, unusually handsome stern and fair, easy
lines.
Commodore Pierce has named her Dot,
and expects to have her ready for Decoration Day. She will be enrolled in the Riverside and the
Atlantic Yacht clubs.”
“YACHTING NOTES.
------
The launching on Thursday at City
island of the cabin cat built by George W. Byles for Rear Commodore C. T.
Pierce, of the Riverside Yacht Club, was very successful. The yacht was covered with bunting, and as
she went into the water Miss Alice C. Rogers, of Boston, stood at the bow and
scattered flowers on the deck and said, ‘I name thee Dot.’ There were quite a number present, and the
yacht presented a fine appearance. . . .”
Source: YACHTING NOTES, N.Y. Herald, Jun. 19, 1898, First
Section, p. 11, col. 6.
“YACHTING. . . .
The launch of the knockabout Why Not
took place recently at Byles’s yards, City Island, and the owner, Arthur F.
Mills, of the New-Rochelle Yacht Club, has taken her to her moorings off the
club. . . .”
Source: YACHTING, N.Y. Tribune, May 7, 1900, p. 5, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“Accident Attends Cygnet’s Launching. . .
.
F. E. Wright’s sloop yacht Nellie,
which was overhauled and fitted with a new iron keel at the Byles yard, this
place, was launched to-day. She will go
into commission next week, and will fly the burgee of the New Rochelle Yacht
Club this season. . . .”
Source: Accident Attends Cygnet’s Launching, N.Y. Times, May 30, 1900, p. 5, col. 2 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“City Island Yacht News. . . .
Edward Jaeger’s keel yawl Reco, which was equipped and used last season for a
practical demonstration of a patent recording compass, has been sold to
Oppenheimer & Meyer of New York, and is being overhauled and prepared for
commission at the Byles yard. . . .”
Source: City Island Yacht News, N.Y. Times, Jun. 26, 1900, Jun. 26,
1900, p. 8, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“City Island Yacht News. . .
.
William Simonson’s fin keel yawl Aura
has been hauled out at the Byles yards, to have her bottom smoothed and
repainted. . . .”
Source: City Island Yacht News, N.Y. Times, Aug. 10,
1900, p. 5, col. 2 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“Yacht News of City Island. . .
.
A new centreboard sloop for Dr. Sayre will soon be started at the
yard of G. W. Byles. Her dimensions are
40 feet over all, 25 feet water line, and 11 feet 6 inches beam. . .
.”
Source: Yacht News of City Island, N.Y. Times, Feb.
3, 1901, p. 6, col. 3 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“City Island Yacht News. . .
.
E. Eberspacher’s centreboard sloop
Wacondah is undergoing a number of changes at the yard
of G. W. Byles, including a gasoline engine, converting the yacht into an
auxiliary.”
Source: City Island Yacht News, N.Y. Times, Apr. 14,
1901, p. 6, col. 5 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“City Island Yacht
News.
Special to The New York
Times.
CITY ISLAND, N. Y., June 29. – George
W. Byles has sold the twenty-foot knock-about Ask Me to a Lake George yachtsman.
. . .”
Source: City Island Yacht News, N.Y. Times, Jun. 30,
1901, p. 20, col. 2 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“NEW AUXILIARY YAWL FOR WM. P.
TRENCH.
-----
William P. Trench of the Manhasset Bay
Yacht Club is to have a new auxiliary yawl from the designs of Charles D.
Mower. The boat is to be built by Byles
of City Island and will be named Yabwoc.
She is 32 feet over all, 24 feet on
the water line, 9 feet 6 inches beam, 3 feet 2 inches draught, increased to 7
feet, with centerboard down. The boat
will carry 640 square feet of canvas and have 2,400 pounds of outside
ballast.
The lines of the Yabwoc show a very able craft, with plenty of freeboard and
moderate overhangs. The cabin has head
room of 5 feet, with comfortable accommodations.
The boat will in every way fit the
owner’s requirements, which called for a dry, well balanced, powerful little
cruiser, with no useless ends. The power
will be furnished by a 5 horse power Lozier engine.”
Source: NEW AUXILIARY YAWL FOR WM. P. TRENCH, The
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Mar. 19, 1903, p. 13, col. 2 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“City Island Yacht News. . .
.
William Simonson’s yawl Aura has been
overhauled and prepared for commission at the Byles Yard, and will be launched
as soon as weather permits. . . .”
Source: City Island Yacht News, N.Y. Times, Jun. 25, 1903, p. 8, col. 5 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
“FOR sale – 35 ft. glass cabin launch,
5 cylinder, 4 ¼ x 5 7/8 inch, cycle motor.
GEORGE BYLES’ yard, City Island.”
Source: FOR sale [Advertisement], The Evening Telegraph [NY, NY], Mar. 4,
1911, p. 10, col. 6.
“George Washington
Byles
George Washington Byles, aged 74
years, one of the best known ship builders in this state, and who has been
engaged in that work for the last 54 years at City Island, died yesterday at his
home, 101 Center street, City Island. He
was well known to scores of Mount Vernonites,
particularly those who spent any time at City Island and who had been interested
in boats. He had done considerable work
for local residents also. Funeral
services will be conducted tomorrow evening at 2 o’clock at his late home. The interment will be in Kensico cemetery and will be private.”
Source: George Washington Byles, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec.
1, 1922, p. 2, col. 4.
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