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**Morris** » 2012-05-28 12:08

I admire Wellin's passion for his trade, but we (as a country) are responsible for this dying art form.
* Our youths have great disdain for this art form, because for years our society has placed negative connotations to certain jobs (this being one of those jobs), and encouraged our youths to do well in school so that they could "better" jobs.
* Technological advancements provides many advantages over wooden boats.
In my opinion, it is a little too late to save this art form. However, I do believe that the existing technologies can be used to rekindle the industry.

**fnpsr** » 2012-05-28 11:12

I tip my hat proudly to the great Willin. I hope when we are giving “knighthoods” to people in the near future, that Willin is considered.

Imagine if this craft had been nurtured and encouraged what a big industry this would have been. So instead of only two ships being built in Antigua over the last twenty five years, we could have had a thriving industry and Eli would not have gone to Carraiacou and bought two boats. This meant taking money out of Antigua and spending it elsewhere.

There is a lot of blame to go around, but you have to start with the educational system. Not every student is set out to be an academic. Thus, this must be recognized early and those kids not so inclined are placed in a technical school, where they can develop skills in woodwork, mechanics and the like.

While this may be a story of a dying art, it could be the revival of an old industry. All it takes is for a group of local folks (investors) to come together with Willin and start a company manufacturing boats. It can be done!!

“Let’s fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things.”

**dadlison** » 2012-05-28 10:27

What a fascinating gentleman, and its encouraging to see we have this type of talent and know-how in Antigua. I agree whole heartedly that this craft should be included in high-school curricula and at trade schools. Less young people need to study things like accounting, law and business management. We don't have enough businesses for this many auxiliary staff. Imagine if we could build high-quality vessels. Our boat shortage at the Coast Guard would be solved, and we could effectively manage our marine resources. We could export vessels. The skies the limit.

**tenman** » 2012-05-28 10:00

How do you sell young people on the notion they should take pride in what they do and not simply the compensation? The thing successful people have in common, is passion. When you are passionate about what you do, success, money, fame, will come. It is not the other way around. Today in an interview on CBS This morning, Noble Laureate and acclaimed writer said “Writing books for me is like Eden”. That is so true, find your passion and you will be successful! Can we get parents and teachers to sell this when many act as if they wish they were doing something else?

..

**Osbert R. Frederick** » 2012-05-28 09:58

Keep up the good work Wellin. You are in a great trade. As the son of one of the very best who has been in that business, Charles R. Frederick from Old Road, I regret every day that I did not learn the trade the way I should have. i am no novice, but I am not what I should be as far as the trade is concerned and I regret it. I still look with pride at the pictures I have of boat's my dad built and I have a passion of boats because of him. It is sad that all that knowledge and expertise will die with him. Keep on doing what you are doing. Guys like you and Holford Cochrane are legends in my mind along with my dad, Jude Cochrane, Vincent Simon, Bash Turner, and Christian T. 'Biggest' Simon. My father always talk of his uncle Charles 'Papa D' McKay, who died before my time. All great men in my book.

**Dig It** » 2012-05-28 09:25

A very good and informative article! It is just sad that a talent Wellin goes "unrecognized" for all these years! Yet, we pay tribute to those that have made little/nil impact in our society and leave others behind that put "real" hard-work, sweat and determination into their craft or occupation! I am of the view that "boat-building" should be a part of our primary or secondary schools curriculums! Yet, again, our society teaches young people that having a "office" job in the banks is more appetizing! Gone are days of our youths having the "survival" instinct to take on jobs or careers that required a "specialized" skill to feed their families! Let's give "great- talents-of-the- soil" like Wellin the opportunity to teach or mentor our youths in some capacity! Quote:

Noak...didn't miss the boat.

**Jumbee Picknee** » 2012-05-28 09:15

Greetings, "we cannot afford to let this die", and I agree with Archibald to the N th degree regarding this Industry, and I don't use the word 'Industry" lightly. Shipwright's are as important to the marine industry, as oxygen is to human healthy living. Our Nation which is dependent on marine life, tourism etc as anchors for our economy must use the shipwright business as a nucleus for future breathing ground, where our youths can be educated. This knowledge would then allow them to venture into many other directions. Example, the knowledge to build a luxury liner which transports thousands, employs hundreds begins with the basic knowledge of sea. I could name scores of other disciplines which are directly connected to the shipwright industry but you get the picture, as I hope the message sent by Archibald has painted on the minds of our decision makers. TEACH THE YOUTHS RIGHT & POSITIVELY....

**eli** » 2012-05-28 09:00

Every island in the Caribbean had it's own wooden sailing vessels and Wellin is right to say that the traditions of boat building is vanishing. There have only been one or two big vessels built in Anitigua over the past 25 years. I had two built in Carriacou which seems to be one of the last places in the Caribbean where these amazing craftsmen still are able to find a market for these boats and find enough interested shipwrights to build them. Check http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/773901300/vanishing-sail/posts/227388

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