James Rich Steers
Encyclopedia
James Rich Steers was an American yacht builder and politician. He was born in Plymouth
, England. His father, Henry Steers
, was connected to the Construction Department of the Royal Naval Dockyards at Plymouth until 1815. In 1829, he became superintendent of the ship building firm Smith & Dimon.
Between 1841 and 1850, Steers built many yachts well known in their day. In 1850, he and his brother formed the firm George & James R. Steers
, with shipyards at the foot of East Twelfth Street, where the yacht America
was built for John C. Stevens, Edward A. Stevens, George Schuyler, Hamilton Wilkes, and J. Beekman Finley.
James R. Steers retired from active business in 1857. He was a volunteer fireman, an active Mason, a Democrat
, one time alderman
of the Eleventh Ward, and later a Police Justice.
Steers was twice married. With his first wife, Miss Francis E. Hunt, they had four children: Henry Steers
, James R. Steers, Jr., Daniel Steers, and Mrs Frederick E, Baker. Mrs. Steers died in 1870. In 1878, he married Miss Marion E. Walters who survived him.
James Rich Steers died on April 19, 1896. His funeral took place at the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Chapel, 15 West 20th Street, New York.
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, England. His father, Henry Steers
Henry Steers
Henry Steers was connected the Construction Department of the Royal Naval Dockyards at Plymouth till 1815. He got two sons James and George, well known for building many ships in Greenpoint, Long Island, New York.-Isle of Guernsey:...
, was connected to the Construction Department of the Royal Naval Dockyards at Plymouth until 1815. In 1829, he became superintendent of the ship building firm Smith & Dimon.
Between 1841 and 1850, Steers built many yachts well known in their day. In 1850, he and his brother formed the firm George & James R. Steers
George Steers and Co
-James and George Steers shipyard:In 1850, James Rich Steers and George Steers started the George Steers & Co. inheriting from a naval architecture tradition. The father Henry Steers was already a naval architect in England.. The company was located in Greenpoint, Long Island, New York.They...
, with shipyards at the foot of East Twelfth Street, where the yacht America
America (yacht)
The America was a 19th century racing yacht that was the first to win the eponymous international sailing trophy now known as the America's Cup; in 1851 the trophy was known as the Royal Yacht Squadron's "One Hundred Guinea Cup", but was later renamed after the original winning yacht...
was built for John C. Stevens, Edward A. Stevens, George Schuyler, Hamilton Wilkes, and J. Beekman Finley.
James R. Steers retired from active business in 1857. He was a volunteer fireman, an active Mason, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, one time alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the Eleventh Ward, and later a Police Justice.
Steers was twice married. With his first wife, Miss Francis E. Hunt, they had four children: Henry Steers
Henry Steers (1832)
Henry Steers son of James Rich Steers, nephew of George Steers, proprietor of Henry Steers' Ship Yard ....
, James R. Steers, Jr., Daniel Steers, and Mrs Frederick E, Baker. Mrs. Steers died in 1870. In 1878, he married Miss Marion E. Walters who survived him.
James Rich Steers died on April 19, 1896. His funeral took place at the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Chapel, 15 West 20th Street, New York.