A boat conceived during the Great Depression is still creating connections nearly one hundred years later. She has passed through different hands, weathered changing times, and yet continues to bring people together.

Built in 1930, Comrade was commissioned by Herbert William Davis, Jr. for himself and his two sons. What makes that story even more remarkable is that he continued with his plans despite the stock market crash of 1929 and the uncertainty that followed. At a time when many dreams were being put on hold, he chose to build something for his family and for the future. 

Nearly a century later, the boat has found her way back into the Davis family, where Herbert’s great-granddaughter and her husband have spent the last eight years bringing her back to life. The restoration has been extensive—rebuilding the hull, rewiring, repowering, and tackling countless other projects. Along the way, the family has worked closely with Haven Boatworks and many of Port Townsend’s talented marine tradespeople, investing not only in a boat, but in the skills and craftsmanship that keep our maritime traditions alive.

But the part of the story that might be even more special isn’t the restoration or the history. It’s that Comrade regularly hosts gatherings that bring together descendants of all three families who have cared for her over the decades.

That’s what wooden boats do at their best. They become more than wood, engines, and hardware. They become part of our family stories. This September, when you walk the docks, I hope you’ll stop by Comrade. She’s more than a beautiful boat; she’s a story about perseverance and the community that loves her.