William H. Hand Jr.

"Renowned Yacht Designer Who Shaped Fairhaven’s Maritime Legacy"

(1875-1946)

William H. Hand Jr., a prominent 20th century yacht designer, had his office and boat yard on Middle Street. He designed many small sail boats, V-bottomed power boats, and motorsailers. Hand moved his business from New Bedford to Fairhaven about 1921. Some of his designs were built by local shipyards such as Casey’s Boat Yard and his own boat yard, later leased to the Palmer Scott & Company. The Arctic exploring sloop Bowdoin, designed for Donald B. McMillan, is owned and operated today by the Maine Maritime Academy. Many of his original drawings were lost to flood waters during the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.