The Catboat Era: In Newport, Rhode Island (Hardcover)
Interspersed among the gold-plated yachts of the Gilded Age were many humble catboats serving as fishing boats, livery craft, and pleasure boats. Here their story is told in well-researched detail with a fine collection of period photographs.
When we think of Newport at the end of the nineteenth century, we think of life lived large--big houses, big yachts, big money. But like the diversity of people found in any waterfront town, there was a diversity of watercraft in Newport waters. In among the yachts are found the workboats and other small craft. John Leavens took a look back at the humble catboat and found a wealth of information about its origin, its builders, and its owners. These small sailboats with their masts well forward served as fishing boats, livery craft, and pleasure boats and were seen everywhere, it turns out, in Newport waters. Combining years of research, conversations with waterfront habitues, and a fine collection of period photographs, John brought together the full story of Newport cats but passed away before it could be published.
Lawyer and management expert John Leavens (1907-1987) loved
catboats--his own Herbert Crosby-built 21' 11" Pinkletink, first of all,
and then every other catboat, catboat builder, and catboat sailor. With
Paul and Molly Birdsall and the able assistance of his first mate,
Pinkie, he founded The Catboat Association in 1962. He wrote extensively
for the Catboat Bulletin, and in 1973 pulled together his accumulated
knowledge and contacts to write The Catboat Book.
A former curator at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Judy Lund writes on a variety of maritime and local history subjects. Currently historian of The Catboat Association and a member of its Steering Committee, she has taken on the task of bringing John Leavens' manuscript to the boating community.
A former curator at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Judy Lund writes on a variety of maritime and local history subjects. Currently historian of The Catboat Association and a member of its Steering Committee, she has taken on the task of bringing John Leavens' manuscript to the boating community.
A rare and meaningful contribution to understanding one of
America’s most unique and enduring sailboats.
— WoodenBoat
America’s most unique and enduring sailboats.
— WoodenBoat