A Gathering of Maritime Legends: Celebrating Shipwrights

This year, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival brings together shipwrights from some of the world’s most iconic maritime institutions—craftspeople who keep the art of wooden boatbuilding alive with skill, heart, and tradition.

Anchoring this gathering are Port Townsend’s own shipwrights, whose dedication and craftsmanship have helped make our town a renowned hub for wooden boat restoration and innovation.

We’re proud to present panels and individual presentations that highlight the work of local marine trades and visiting experts from around the world. With so many incredible talks and demonstrations, you won’t want to miss a single one.

This year’s Festival welcomes an incredible lineup of shipwrights, including:

• Harold Burnham |  Burnham Boat Building (MA)
  Harold carries on 11 generations of shipwright tradition, making Burnham Boat Building one of the most iconic boatbuilding families in America.
• Walt Ansel | Mystic Seaport Museum (CT)
  Renowned shipwright at Mystic’s famed Preservation Shipyard.
• Jim Davis | Maritime Museum of San Diego (CA)
  50 year steward of the Star of India. The world’s oldest operating ship.
• Clem Mollier & Betzy Shell | National Museum of the Royal Navy (UK)
  Lead shipwright Clem Mollier and shipwright Betzy Shell are part of the expert team preserving HMS Victory.
• Graham McKay | Lowell’s Boat Shop (MA)
  Executive director at America’s oldest working boat shop, handcrafting wooden dories since 1793.
• Tim Clark | T.R. Clark Boatbuilding & Restoration (ME)
  Tim Clark has spent over 20 years restoring historic wooden boats and working craft across New England and beyond.
  

Full Schedule of Shipwright Presentations

Friday

Passenger Fishermen
Harold Burnham, Burnham Boatbuilding Essex, MA
11:45 AM-12:45 PM | Cruising Stage

Keepers of the Fleet: Marine Trades PNW – Panel
Heather Johnson, Port Townsend
1:15 PM-2:15 PM | Cruising Stage

Keepers of the Fleet: International Shipwrights – Panel
Moderated by Martin Mills, Port Townsend
4:30 PM-6 PM | Cruising & Technical Stage

Saturday

Lady Washington: A Midlife Crisis
Pat Mahon, Port Townsend
9:30 AM-10:30 AM | Cruising Stage

Care and Feeding of the Star of India Over the Decades
James Davis, San Diego Maritime Museum
11 AM-12:30 PM | Cruising Stage

Restoring the 120’ Gloucester Fishing Schooner LA Dunton at Mystic Seaport
Walt Ansel, Mystic Seaport
12:30 PM-1:30 PM | Technical Stage

HMS Victory Conservation Project Interview
Clem Mollier & Betzy Shell, HMS Victory UK
12 PM-12:45 PM | Boat Yard Stage

The Trades: Day in the Life – Panel
Heather Johnson, Port Townsend
1 PM-2 PM | Cruising Stage

How the Old Fella Done It: Milford Buchanan and the Shelburne Dory Shop
Graham McKay, Lowell’s Boat Shop MA
1:30 PM-2:30 PM | Adventure Stage

Then and Now: History of America’s Oldest Operating Boat Shop
Graham McKay, Lowell’s Boat Shop MA
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Technical Stage

Visual History of Port Townsend’s Marine Trades
Scott Wilson, Port Townsend
3:30 PM-4:30 PM | Cruising Stage

HMS Victory: The Big Repair
Clem Mollier & Betzy Shell, HMS Victory UK
3:30 PM-4:30 PM | Cruising Stage

Then and Now: History of America’s Oldest Operating Boat Shop
Graham McKay, Lowell’s Boat Shop MA
3:30 PM-4:30 PM | Technical Stage

Pacific Northwest Workboats: A Brief History and Their Relevance Yesterday and Today
Martin Mills, Port Townsend
5:15 PM-6:30 PM | Cruising & Technical Stage

Photo by Teresa Allen-Martin