Bowdoin B. Crowninshield
Encyclopedia
Bowdoin Bradlee Crowninshield (1867–1948) was an American
naval architect who specialized in the design of racing yachts.
, Crowninshield grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts
, into the wealthy Crowninshield family
with long-standing ties to the sea. The family estate Crowninshield House
was built by his father in 1870.
His father was Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
(1837–1892) and mother was Katherine May Bradlee (1844–1902). Through his paternal grandmother Sarah Gool Putnam (1810–1880) he was distant cousin of architect J. Pickering Putnam
(1847–1917).
His great-grandfather Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
(1772–1851) had served as Secretary of the Navy, and his great-granduncle George Crowninshield Jr. (1766–1817) built the first luxury yacht in the United States, Cleopatra's Barge
in 1816.
His younger brother Francis Boardman Crowninshield (22 APR 1869– 19 MAY 1950), married heiress Louise Evelina du Pont
(03 AUG 1877– 11 JUL 1958).
His cousin once removed was Frederick Josiah Bradlee, Jr.
(1892–1970) whose son was Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee
(born 1921). Because of his many relations, he was known as "B.B." Crowninshield.
After graduating from Harvard in 1890 he speculated in real estate before signing on as a draftsman with John R. Purdon, a respected yacht designer in Boston with several knockabout designs to his credit. Crowninshield struck out on his own 18 months later, starting a yacht design and brokerage firm which quickly prospered. He would rise to be come one of America's most respected yacht designers during a period which is now regarded as the golden age of American wooden yacht design.
He designed the schooner Adventuress, which was launched in 1913 and has been named a National Historic Landmark
.
Crowninshield is now best remembered for his working schooners and his America's Cup
contender Independence (George Lawley & Son shipyard, 1901) for Thomas W. Lawson
. He was also responsible for designing the Dark Harbor sloop.
He designed the unique seven masted schooner Thomas W. Lawson
, named for his patron.
He married Priscilla Janet Macphail on May 12, 1900. In 1902 he was fined and was sued for $10,000 for assaulting Adoplphus G. McVey, the yachting editor of the Boston Herald
, for a remark about his wife.
After nine years, he was ordered to pay $448.
She was found dead in a bathtub of a New York hotel on October 8, 1915. She was checked in as "Mrs. Bowdoin", but the death was ruled accidental.
He then married Laura A. Wildar in 1916, and died August 12, 1948 in Marblehead.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
naval architect who specialized in the design of racing yachts.
Life
Born October 13, 1867 in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Crowninshield grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
, into the wealthy Crowninshield family
Crowninshield family
The Crowninshield family is an American family that has been prominent in seafaring, political and military leadership, and the literary world. The founder of the American family immigrated in the late 17th century from what is now Germany...
with long-standing ties to the sea. The family estate Crowninshield House
Crowninshield House
The Crowninshield House is an historic house designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, located at 164 Marlborough Street in Boston, Massachusetts.- Architecture :...
was built by his father in 1870.
His father was Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
Benjamin W. Crowninshield
Benjamin William Crowninshield was a member of the Boston Brahmin Crowninshield family.-Life:He was born in Boston March 12, 1837. His father was Francis Boardman Crowninshield and mother was Sarah Putnam ....
(1837–1892) and mother was Katherine May Bradlee (1844–1902). Through his paternal grandmother Sarah Gool Putnam (1810–1880) he was distant cousin of architect J. Pickering Putnam
J. Pickering Putnam
J. Pickering Putnam, also known as J.P. Putnam or John Pickering Putnam, was an American architect and designer, who "pioneered the concept of the modern apartment building." He designed many buildings in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts, and elsewhere...
(1847–1917).
His great-grandfather Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
Benjamin Williams Crowninshield served as the United States Secretary of the Navy between 1815 and 1818, during the administrations of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe.-Biography:...
(1772–1851) had served as Secretary of the Navy, and his great-granduncle George Crowninshield Jr. (1766–1817) built the first luxury yacht in the United States, Cleopatra's Barge
Cleopatra's Barge
Cleopatra's Barge was an opulent yacht built in Massachusetts in 1816. It became the Royal Yacht of King Kamehameha II who named it Haaheo o Hawaii , but was wrecked in the Hawaiian Islands in 1824.-Building:...
in 1816.
His younger brother Francis Boardman Crowninshield (22 APR 1869– 19 MAY 1950), married heiress Louise Evelina du Pont
Louise E. du Pont Crowninshield
Louise Evelina du Pont Crowninshield was an American heiress and preservationist, who was the great granddaughter of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, the founder of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company....
(03 AUG 1877– 11 JUL 1958).
His cousin once removed was Frederick Josiah Bradlee, Jr.
Frederick Bradlee
Frederick Josiah Bradlee, Jr. was an American football player. He was a first-team All-American while attending Harvard University in 1914...
(1892–1970) whose son was Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee
Benjamin C. Bradlee
Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee is a vice president at-large of The Washington Post. As executive editor of the Post from 1968 to 1991, he became a national figure during the presidency of Richard Nixon, when he challenged the federal government over the right to publish the Pentagon Papers and...
(born 1921). Because of his many relations, he was known as "B.B." Crowninshield.
After graduating from Harvard in 1890 he speculated in real estate before signing on as a draftsman with John R. Purdon, a respected yacht designer in Boston with several knockabout designs to his credit. Crowninshield struck out on his own 18 months later, starting a yacht design and brokerage firm which quickly prospered. He would rise to be come one of America's most respected yacht designers during a period which is now regarded as the golden age of American wooden yacht design.
He designed the schooner Adventuress, which was launched in 1913 and has been named a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Crowninshield is now best remembered for his working schooners and his America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
contender Independence (George Lawley & Son shipyard, 1901) for Thomas W. Lawson
Thomas W. Lawson (businessman)
Thomas William Lawson was an American businessman and author. A highly controversial Boston stock promoter, he is known for both his efforts to promote reforms in the stock markets and the fortune he amassed for himself through highly dubious stock manipulations.The Scituate, Massachusetts...
. He was also responsible for designing the Dark Harbor sloop.
He designed the unique seven masted schooner Thomas W. Lawson
Thomas W. Lawson (ship)
The Thomas W. Lawson was a seven-masted, steel-hulled schooner originally planned for the Pacific trade, but then used primarily to haul coal and oil along the East Coast of the United States. Built in 1902, the ship holds the distinction of being the largest schooner and the largest pure sailing...
, named for his patron.
He married Priscilla Janet Macphail on May 12, 1900. In 1902 he was fined and was sued for $10,000 for assaulting Adoplphus G. McVey, the yachting editor of the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
, for a remark about his wife.
After nine years, he was ordered to pay $448.
She was found dead in a bathtub of a New York hotel on October 8, 1915. She was checked in as "Mrs. Bowdoin", but the death was ruled accidental.
He then married Laura A. Wildar in 1916, and died August 12, 1948 in Marblehead.