Consolidated Yacht Yard

 place with historical importance, yacht, shipyard

This shipyard was established in 1860 by David Carll, who built both small and large sail driven boat for private and commercial interests, and the Lightship Vineyard Sound (LV-39), which at 372ft was the largest ship built at this site. The yard was bought by Mr. Henry Piepgras in 1886, who built 16 ships before he sold the yard to Robert Jacob in 1900.

Jacob focused his yard on the efficient production of smaller wooden vessels, which would optimize yard space and allow for more than one vessel to be built at the same time. This business plan worked well for Jacob, and during the first 20 years of his business the yard pumped out 154 ships, more than triple what his two predecessors could produce in 40 years. The US Government took note of the ability of the yard to quickly and efficiently produce quality ships, and awarded the yard two contracts during WWI to build Subchasers and Navy Tugboats.

Following WWI, Robert Jacob Shipyard returned to private yachtbuilding and commercial shipbuilding, and increased its ability to work with both wood and metal hull materials. At the outbreak of WWII, the US War Shipping Administration ordered the yard to begin immediate production of warships, and before the wars end Robert Jacob shipyard had built and launched 85 ships; Minesweepers, Subchasers, Tugs and Torpedo Boats.

In 1946 the Jacob family sold the yard to Consolidated Shipbuilding, which had moved to City Island following the closure of Morris Heights Yard after WWII. Consolidated resumed yacht and commercial shipbuilding at the site through the 1940's and into the 1950s, but after a small Navy contract for 7 Minesweepers in the mid 1950's the yard shut down operations in 1958.

The former shipyard was acquired by Mr. Wesley Rodstrom who reopened the yard as a dedicated yacht repair facility, called Consolidated yacht Yard, which continues operations today. It is one of the oldest operating yards on City Island.

www.consolidatedyachts.com/

Info on Lightvessel LV-39
www.uscg.mil/history/weblightships/LV39.asp