William Doughty (naval architect)
William Doughty(1773 - 1859) was a United States naval architect who designed many of the sailing 74s. Doughty worked for many years as naval constructor laying down such ships "as the USS Ohio and USS Carolina that rank with the best ships ever built." [1]
Doughty began his career as protege of noted naval constructor Joshua Humphreys. In a letter to Secretary Henry Knox dated 22 October 1794, Humphreys recommended young Doughty for a position as his clerk at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Humphreys stated he believed Doughty to be a "devoted and distinguished worker." Doughty took the oath of allegiance on 23 October 1794 as a clerk at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard his pay was set at $500.00 per annum. [2]
On 12 April 1804 Doughty was appointed as Head Carpenter, Washington Navy Yard by Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith [3] During the War of 1812 Doughty served as a militia captain with a navy yard rifle company at the Battle of Bladensburg.[4] Doughty was popular among shipyard mechanics and laborers and was supportive of their 1835 strike. Naval Constructor's like William Doughty combined the skills of a naval architect and engineer, at the navy yard his position was somewhat unique, for the Naval Constructor job provided Doughty with a wide range of connections; most importantly, it meant that he reported to the Board of Navy Commissioners and not to the shipyard commandants like Thomas Tingey and Isaac Hull. The BNC placed such a high value on Doughty's nautical expertise that they scheduled a regular Monday morning meeting to consult with him each week. This relationship with the Navy Commissioners allowed Doughty considerable influence.[5] The regard he enjoyed with the shipyard workforce also led to considerable tension as during the strike of 1835, when he advised the ship carpenters to hold out for higher wages.[6]
His career as a shipbuilder though was long and very successful the 1850 census for the District of Columbia records his real estate as valued at $35,000. He as also one of the highest paid civilians at the Washington Navy Yard. The navy yard payroll for April 1829 shows William Doughty annual salary as $1,900 nearly the same as a naval captain. [7] William Doughty, while working at Washington Navy Yard designed many naval vessels including the Independence and USS Brandywine. He also designed the President, United States 74s, Peacock class, Erie class, Java and Guerrier, North Carolina 74s class, Brandywine 44s Class, brigs, revenue cutters, and Baltimore Clipper model.
References
- ^ Maloney, Linda M. The Captain from Connecticut: the Life and Naval Times of Isaac Hull. Northeastern University Press.1986 p 268.
- ^ Doughty, William 23 October 1794 Sec Navy Requisition on Sec Treas NARA RG 45.
- ^ Robert Smith to Doughty 12 April 1804 Secretary of the Navy Letters, National Archives RG-45
- ^ Doughty, William Captain, 2nd Regiment (Brent's) District of Columbia Militia War of 1812, NARA RG 94
- ^ BNC to Doughty 30 May 1818 NARA RG45 E307 Vol.3.
- ^ Maloney p. 438
- ^ Sharp, John G. Washington Navy Yard Employees in April 1829 http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/WNY/wny1829aprlemployees.html
Sources
- Brown, Gordon S. The Captain Who Burned His Ships Captain Thomas Tingey, USN, 1750-1829 Naval Institute Press: Annapolis 2011 pp 141-142.
- Donovan, Jane B. Henry Foxall: Methodist, Industrialist, American, New Room Books 2017.
- Maloney, Linda M. The Captain from Connecticut: the Life and Naval Times of Isaac Hull. Northeastern University Press.1986 p.268.
- Sharp, John G. History of the Washington Navy Yard Civilian Workforce 1799-1962 Stockton: Vindolanda Press, 2005 p.13.
- Wood, Virginia Steele William Doughty Naval Constructor 1773-1859 New Interpretations in Naval History Selected Papers from the Twelfth Naval History Symposium, ed. W.Cogan US Naval Academy: Annapolis 1992 pp 114-122.
External links
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