It is impossible for me to list all the projects Master Shipwright David Short undertook in his 40-plus year career. In a brief chat with Linda Short, David’s wife, at his memorial gathering tribute at Bristol Marine in the Harbor, she mentioned too many projects to recall. David started his professional career at the tender age of 19. At the time of his passing, he was 62 and thinking about retiring.

During regular visits to the shipyard photographing the Ernestina-Morrissey project, we would often discuss what the future might bring. David and his wife had purchased a camper with plans to travel, which meant getting things on their Montville farm squared away in preparation for sale. All this in addition to David’s work at Bristol Marine. Never a dull moment!

In the seven-plus years I visited the Ernestina-Morrissey project weekly, I rarely missed an opportunity to visit with David, observing him doing many different jobs. It seemed that he could do almost anything when it came to wood working, from shaping Ernestina-Morrissey’s magnificent Douglas fir spars to carving her name on the transom. Over the years, David had overseen practically every step in the restoration process, including meeting with naval architects developing drawings with plans to create solutions for complex structural issues.

To be clear, I have only known David from my visits with the Ernestina-Morrissey project, but I have heard and read of his many accomplishments. David oversaw that project from the start, one of the few workers at the yard from concept to delivery. In the words of Andy Tyska, owner at Bristol Marine: “From his eye to his hand, his lifelong experience with traditional wooden schooners has touched every part of this ship, from the mast to the keel, from the stem to the stern. There’s not one thing David hasn’t been involved in, from designing the spars and selecting materials to the training of the workforce. His effort ensures that this vessel will be sailing for many generations to come. This is his life’s work.”

David was always gracious. He would take time from what he was doing to help me understand some process or problem. And, perhaps, more than anything, this characteristic of helping was key to making the restoration go more smoothly. He was the “go to” guy who could draw on years of experience to help work flow more efficiently while encouraging a good work environment. The shipyard crew became his other family.

In the photo shared today, David is shown working on Ernestina’s main spar fashioned from magnificent laminated Douglas fir. It was quite a thing to behold, making something round out of something square. Many hands contributed to the finished piece which weighed 6,900 pounds.

The gathering on the pier at Bristol Marine for David was an impressive assembly to honor his legacy and accomplishments. His work and his life impacted many. His spirit will ride many oceans in the lives and vessels he has touched.

Thank you David. Fair winds.