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1927 16' Chris-Craft Model 300 An American Trilogy ~ Part I ~
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1937 17' Deluxe Runabout "…be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Anyone who has developed even a passing interest in antique and classic boats has likely heard the names Chris-Craft, GarWood and HackerCraft. The deeper one delves into the historical realm of American boat builders, names such as Century, Lyman, Higgins, Correct Craft, Dodge, Ventnor, Dee White and many others begin to bubble to the surface. Many of us, especially once we've actually encountered one of these wooden marvels, become totally captivated and are compelled to learn more about them. It is fascinating to learn about the lives of the men who designed and built these mahogany masterpieces. It is particularly interesting to come to the realization that, in virtually all cases, the designers and builders of these boats have long since passed away. Yet, many fine examples of their work remain for us to admire and enjoy. It also affords us the opportunity to contemplate the sheer magnificence of their design… and the durability of their construction. Unlike most fine art that has been meticulously cared for, preserved and handed down through the generations, mahogany boats represent a unique category. A Louis XVI desk is one of the most elaborate, ornate and artistically precise examples of 18th century craftsmanship. The vigor and vitality of Rembrandt's brushstrokes combined with his brilliant use of light, shade and depth of feeling rank among the most tender expressions ever executed in paint. Works such as these are born from the passion and dedication of their creators and serve as lasting testaments for all to appreciate. Wooden boat builders such as Christopher Columbus Smith, Gar Wood, John L. Hacker and others of their ilk are, in many respects, deserving of the same lasting admiration and appreciation for their work. This special group of artists and craftsmen added a new dimension and portability to their work: the ability to interact with their masterpieces. The interactive and social nature of these wooden treasures is precisely what makes them unique. Though comparable to the artistic elegance and luxury found in early automobile designs by men such as Carl Benz, Fred Duesenberg, E.L. Cord and Harry Stutz, mahogany pleasure boats of the same era offered the incomparable avenue of freedom of expression on water. The fact that so many original works of these artists (in both realms) have survived, given their intended purpose, is astounding. However, due to the dynamic nature of wood, it is particularly remarkable to see so many of these boats survive after sixty to, in some cases, over a hundred years of use. |
In the late 19th century, Chris Smith, Gar Wood and John Hacker were instrumental and lastingly influential in wooden boat design in the U.S. and beyond. All came from different backgrounds but shared a common passion. Christopher Columbus Smith (1861-1939) was not born great. He was one of six children of a 'formally uneducated' working man. Chris Smith inherited his father's gift for working with his hands and realized at an early age that necessity was the mother of invention.Like his father, formal education was not his long suit. In his early teens, he opted to pursue a more lucrative, full-time occupation in the form of duck hunting for profit along with one of his brothers, Henry. Along the way, he would develop a strong work ethic, a unique creative sense and an artist's eye for detail and improvisation. These qualities first became manifest in the now-famous duck decoys he carved from odd blocks of wood to supplement his income and aid in his hunting business. History records that he built his first boat around the age of fifteen with the help of one of his brothers. As early as 1876, Smith was selling small fishing and duck boats that he had built on the banks of the St. Clair River in Algonac, Michigan to supplement his income from duck hunting. In April, 1884 he married 20 year-old Anna Rattray; he was 23. Chris apparently didn't waste any time bringing Anna into the business after their marriage. Before the honeymoon was over, she was assigned the duty of helping to pick and clean ducks and load them into barrels for shipment to local hotels on the St. Clair. Also, a new sense of civic responsibility seemed to be instilled in him after marrying Anna. Chris would serve as Postmaster of Algonac for several years as well as become president of the local Chamber of Commerce. By the late 1890s, the new gasoline engines had been in limited use for a few years and Chris Smith viewed them as an opportunity to enhance his small line of boats by making them self-propelled. The advent of the gasoline engine had created a new past time called 'pleasure boating' which was becoming more and more popular. So popular in fact that just after the turn of the century, the American Power Boat Association was formed and organized races began to take place by 1904. This new and exciting activity quickly became fashionable and competitive. Before long, the quest for speed in boating was on. Chris saw this as opportunity to increase his fortunes.
1920s Chris-Craft Promotional Image Page 1 |
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