FELLOWS AND STEWART
BOAT YARD
The history below is from THE HISTORY OF YACHTING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Published in 1964
By Cass & Johansing Insurance Brokers
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N0 other group has done more to promote the development of boating in Southern California than the boat builders themselves. These men, most of them schooled in other areas, were quick to see the possibilities offered by the waters and the climate of Southern California and adapted their talents to designing and building boats best suited to local requirements. This idea was accepted with enthusiasm by the sea-loving people of Southern California, so that soon individual boat builders joined forces and established the firms which today are known the country over.
It is only fitting, then, that the oldest of these firms, Fellows & Stewart of Terminal Island, should today hold its place as one of the leaders in the pleasure boat industry. In 1896 the late Joe Fellows established the Joe Fellows Yacht & Launch Co., where he was soon joined by Victor B. Stewart. They were an excellent team, for Joe was a builder par excellence, while Vic was a business man. So the combination prospered and soon became Fellows & Stewart.
When Los Angeles Harbor was little more than a bend in the coastline, Joe Fellows built his little shop on Terminal Island and began turning out boats that were designed to beat those that had come from the boards of eastern naval architects-and beat them they did. In fact, it was the craft that slid down the ways at Fellows & Stewart’s that set the stage for the modern era of the boating industry on the Southern California coast.
Most of the innovations introduced by Joe Fellows have become permanent fixtures of the boating scene here. Contrary to the general practice in the early days, the firm built racing boats with cruising accommodations that could take it in ocean racing. Fellows & Stewart built cruising boats that could get out and foot. The inherent quality of these early craft is attested to by the fact that many of them are still in commission(editor: as of 1960) -boats like the Minerva, Idler, Venus, Wasp and Mischief I.
The first stock cruiser in the West was produced by Fellows & Stewart, a factor which very likely created many new boat 0wners who might otherwise not have become boating fans. Everybody today recognizes “Fellowcraft,” which are to be found in anchorages all along the southern coastline.
After being one of the leading sailing skippers for years, Joe Fellows turned his designing talents to speedboats and won some of the West’s finest trophies in that sport.
The first five of the California 32’s were built by Fellows & Stewart in 1937, and this is still one of the leading classes in racing in Southern California. One of them, Walter Elliott’s Escapade, won the 1941 Honolulu Race and for years had almost a stranglehold on the San Diego Lipton Trophy.
The California 32’s were succeeded by the Island Clippers. Fellows & Stewart built no less than eighteen of these 44ft. sloops.
At the present time Fellows & Stewart has two yards, both on Terminal Island. The older yard has been turned into a “Do-It-Yourself” yard, where people who want to build their own boats can rent the space and the tools for this purpose. They can also secure expert advice and, if they want it, can have as little or as much of the work done by the yard’s own men as they desire. This has proved a very successful move and is the brain child of the present head of the firm, Joe Fellows Jr.
The oilier and newer yard is about half a mile down channel. Here the new construction, repairs and maintenance are attended to. The second generation in Fellows & Stewart is carrying on in the traditions of the first. (Editor: It was sold to Harbor Boatbuilding in 1967).
The Fellows & Stewart Boat Yard in 1934
From http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll170/id/61529
Photo retreived on February 22, 2021
“Photograph of shipbuilding at Fellows and Stewart Shipyard in Wilmington district for Southern California magazine cover, Los Angeles, 1934. “Subject: shipbuilding-Fellows and Stewart, Wilmington, for Southern California magazine cover; Client: Fellows & Stewart, San Pedro 2828, Berth 206 Terminal Island, San Pedro, California; Classifications: S-Yachting & Pleasure Boat; Original Print Order: 1; Size: 8×10; Finish: gl[ossy]; Mount: Full neg[ative]; Re-order: 1-; Job: 04-25-162; Year: 1934” — on envelope front. “Operator’s Report Name: Dick; Amount: 25.00; Extra Charges: V.B. Stewart” — on envelope back.”
VESSELS from THE BOATYARD
Year Built | Original Name | Original Owner | Type | Gross Tonnage |
Length | History of vessel |
1903 | Aloha | William Waterhouse | Schooner | |||
1906 | Yebis | Yacht | 14 | 40 | Active | |
1906 | Music | Passenger | 19 | 51 | Later Sea Fisher | |
1909 | Winsome | Yacht | 32 | 43 | ||
1911 | Siwash | Yacht | 19 | 41 | ||
1910 | Idler | Yacht | 12 | 36 | ||
1912 | Adacio | Wrigley | Yacht | Sank at its mooring 1998 | ||
1915 | Marta-Lee | Fishing Vessel | 9 | 38 | ||
1917 | Ranger | Catalina I. Tuna Club | Yacht | 27 | 46 | Flagship of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum |
1917 | Broadbill | Yacht | 34 | 66 | To USN 1917 as SP 823, to USCG 1919 as Swift, sold 1935, wrecked 1966 | |
1918 | Indiana | Passenger | 21 | 56 | ||
1918 | Nora II | Fishing Vessel | 24 | 55 | Sank 1938 | |
1921 | Zora | Fishing Vessel | 12 | 36 | ||
1922 | Comet | Sidney Ehrman | Marine Sedan | 36 | ||
1926 | Charade | Rudolf Valentino | Yacht | 8 | ||
1926 | Ida M | Willard Van Brunt | Sportfisher | 16 | 45 | Later Ruth L (owned by Stan Laurel), Nada III, now Ida May |
1926 | Dream | Power Boat | 20 | 47 | ||
1927 | Blue Goose | Power Boat | 22 | 56 | ||
1927 | Blue Moon | Power Boat | 23 | 56 | To USN 1941 as YP 111, to MARAD 1946, sold, active | |
1928 | L.A. City No. 3 | City of L.A. | Fire Boat | 40 | ||
1928 | Hispaniola | Fishing Vessel | 42 | 58 | Active | |
1928 | Elmer B | Fishing Vessel | 16 | 40 | Later Ogenio | |
1929 | Tern | Power Boat | 24 | 45 | Later Casino, Tern | |
1929 | Thoroughbred | Fishing Vessel | 12 | 35 | ||
1930 | Content | Ezra Fitch | Yacht | 52 | 58 | Later Taku, Content Again, now Content |
1930 | Aida | Yacht | 7 | 37 | ||
1931 | Jobella | Power Boat | 36 | 56 | Later Page I | |
1931 | Makan-Angin | Yacht | 13 | 37 | Later Muggs | |
1931 | Dixieana | Power Boat | 13 | 37 | Later Miss Ritz | |
1932 | Ho-Tei | Yacht | 14 | 34 | ||
1932 | Cheerio II | Aux. Yawl | 18 | 39 | Later Cheerio, Sirocco, Cheerio II | |
1932 | Compañero | Power Boat | 22 | 46 | Later Melinda, Eroica, Espada | |
1932 | Wal-Jack | Power Boat | 37 | Later Lark | ||
1933 | Kanndalee | Aux. Yawl | 20 | 47 | Later Carnation, now Galley Nipper | |
1934 | Ida J. II | Power Boat | 38 | Later Ida J, Lazy B. | ||
1936 | Unnamed | Cal. Fish & Game | Patrol Craft | 45 | ||
1936 | Unnamed | Cal. Fish & Game | Patrol Craft | 45 | ||
1936 | Anacapa | Aux. Cutter | 13 | 39 | Active | |
1936 | Norconian II | Passenger | 13 | 43 | Later Starlite, sank 1961 | |
1936 | Motor Sailer | Later boatel Villita | ||||
1937 | Amorita | Aux. Sloop | 11 | 41 | California 32 | |
1937 | Cholita | Aux. Sloop | 11 | 41 | California 32 | |
1937 | Altamar | Donald W. Douglas | Aux. Sloop | 11 | 41 | California 32 |
1937 | Tempest | Aux. Sloop | 11 | 41 | California 32 | |
1937 | Escapade | Aux. Sloop | 11 | 41 | California 32 | |
1937 | Celia | Power Boat | 22 | 46 | Later Nirvana II | |
1937 | Hel-Port II | Power Boat | 11 | 37 | Active | |
1937 | Cholita | Aux. Sloop | 32 | |||
1938 | L’Apache | Aux. Yawl | 29 | 57 | Later Diamond Head | |
1938 | Tantalus | Aux. Sloop | 29 | Last Q-class boat | ||
1940 | Journeycake | Fishing | 11 | 33 | Later R. Marie | |
1940 | Marcie Lee | Fishing | 14 | 38 | ||
1940 | Bay Queen | Fishing | 13 | 37 | ||
1940 | Javelin | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1941 | Pegasus | Aux. Ketch | 28 | 49 | Now Ripple | |
24-Dec-42 | SC 1003 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To USCG 1945 as Air Partridge (WAVR 444), sold 1949 as Mickey Lee |
21-Jan-43 | SC 1004 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To USCG 1945 as Air Peacock (WAVR 445), sold 1949 as San Juanderer |
24-Feb-43 | SC 1005 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To MARAD 1946 |
3-May-43 | SC 1006 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To MARAD 1946 |
3-May-43 | SC 1007 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To the USSR 1945 as BO-332 |
15-Jun-43 | SC 1008 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To MARAD 1948 |
25-Jun-43 | SC 1009 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To USCG 1945 as Air Pelican (WAVR 446), later Pelican |
15-Jul-43 | SC 1010 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To USCG 1945 as Air Penguin (WAVR 447) |
29-Jul-43 | SC 1011 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To the USSR 1945 as BO-327 |
18-Aug-43 | SC 1012 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Destroyed by typhoon Louise 9-Oct-45 |
6-Sep-43 | SC 1370 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Disposed of by the Navy 1948 |
30-Sep-43 | SC 1371 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Disposed of by the Navy 1948 |
1-Nov-43 | SC 1372 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Sold 1949 as Cairdeas, active (Canada) |
1-Nov-43 | SC 1373 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | To USCG 1945 as Air Wren (WAVR 480), later Isle of Capri |
15-Nov-43 | SC 1374 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Disposed of by the Navy 1948 |
30-Nov-43 | SC 1375 | US Navy | Sub Chaser | 136d | 110 | Disposed of by the Navy 1948 |
1943 | P 510 | US Army | Crash Boat | 88 | 85 | Later Evelyn B, now Dream Maker |
1943 | P 511 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | Later Blue Water | |
1943 | P 512 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | Later Inland Seas, Vista | |
1943 | P 513 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | ||
1943 | P 514 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | ||
1943 | P 515 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | Later Red Rooster, Ranger 85 | |
1943 | P 516 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | Later Oahu Queen, Pacific Queen | |
1943 | P 517 | US Army | Crash Boat | 85 | Later Flamba | |
1943 | C-20084 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 57 | 61 | Later Allimac IV, Sitka Spruce |
1944 | C-26677 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Guide (ASR 913) |
1944 | C-26678 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Speed (ASR 910) |
1944 | C-26679 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later The Jamestown, Nikko |
1944 | C-26680 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | |
1944 | C-26681 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | |
1944 | C-26682 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | |
1944 | C-26683 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air View (ASR 923) |
1944 | C-26684 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Sonar Queen |
1944 | C-26685 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Music Man II, Foolish Pleasure, Manta |
1944 | C-26686 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Trail (ASR 916) |
1944 | C-26687 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Mist (ASR 917) |
1944 | C-26688 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Chief (ASR 918) |
1944 | C-26689 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Master (ASR 919) |
1944 | C-26690 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Save (ASR 920), later Coolabah |
1944 | C-26691 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Mercy (ASR 925) |
1944 | C-26692 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | To RAN as Air Sailor (ASR 926) |
1944 | CG-63030 | US Coast Guard | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Marlin |
1944 | C- | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Scallywag, Tortuga, Torqua |
1944 | C-36295 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Tiburon |
1944 | AVR 5 | US Navy | Crash Boat | 23d | 63 | Later Prowler |
1944 | Pioneer | Fishing | 183 | 86 | ||
1944 | City of Naples II | Fishing | 73 | 78 | ||
1944 | La Serena | Power Boat | 110 | 73 | Later Santa Teresa | |
1945 | J 2246-2262 | US Army | Crash Boats | 40 | 17 boats | |
1945 | Sea Scout | Yacht | 158 | 81 | ||
1945 | Gaviota | Yacht | 12 | 34 | Later Geronimo | |
1946 | Chiron | Aux. Sloop | 15 | 44 | Now Bolero | |
1946 | Alouette | Yacht | 15 | 44 | Later Pacifica, Island Clipper (later O.N. 1041393) | |
1946 | Santa Lucia II | Yacht | 119 | 75 | Later Southern Explorer | |
1946 | Serena | Yacht | 10 | 39 | ||
1946 | Cuidado | Yacht | 9 | 38 | ||
1946 | Atarax | Yacht | 18 | 38 | ||
1946 | Sea Pup III | Yacht | 18 | 38 | ||
1946 | Suzon | Aux. Cutter | 26 | Later Arbacia | ||
1946 | Breakaheart | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1946 | Chiron | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1946 | Conejo | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1946 | Pleiades | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1946 | Saga | Aux. Sloop | 30 | |||
1947 | Tailwind | Yacht | 18 | 38 | ||
1947 | Frolic | Aux. Sloop | 9 | 38 | ||
1947 | Pierpoint | Yacht | 12 | 58 | ||
1947 | Sportsman I | Yacht | 43 | 59 | Later Shooting Star | |
1948 | Cape Cleare | Yacht | 109 | 73 | ||
1949 | Danbill | Fishing | 23 | 42 | Now Estelene | |
1950 | Islander | Passenger | 43 | 62 | ||
1951 | Sea Lark | Yacht | 9 | 38 | ||
1952 | Sea Queen | Aux. Sloop | 61 | 55 | Later Beagle II, now Katherine Jane | |
1952 | Kopco Star | Fishing | 60 | 52 | ||
1953 | St. Aniello II | Fishing | 45 | 52 | Later Frankie Boy | |
1954 | ST 2100 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Barbara Jo, Island Ranger |
1954 | ST 2101 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2102 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2103 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2104 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Named Monmouth, later Jamestown |
1954 | ST 2105 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2106 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2107 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2108 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2109 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2110 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2111 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2112 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Erica S, Rachele Brusco, Tucker Brusco |
1954 | ST 2131 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Phantom, Rocona II |
1954 | ST 2132 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2133 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later New Era, Eva F, Spar, now Russell |
1954 | ST 2134 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2135 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2136 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later R. V. Day, Skagit, San Clemente |
1954 | ST 2178 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Joe Libby |
1954 | ST 2179 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later M T L |
1954 | ST 2180 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2181 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2182 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Yakima |
1954 | ST 2183 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2184 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2185 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Later Wapato |
1954 | ST 2186 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2187 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2188 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2189 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2190 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2191 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2192 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2193 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2194 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2195 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2196 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2197 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | |
1954 | ST 2198 | US Army | Tug | 850d | 71 | Sold as Colbar, later Sigrid H, now Betty |
1954 | Fire Boat No. 1 | City of Long Beach | Fire Boat | 40 | ||
1954 | Fire Boat No. 2 | City of Long Beach | Fire Boat | 40 | ||
1954 | Sea Horse | Tug | 47 | 56 | Active | |
1954 | Metola A | Tug | 47 | 56 | Active | |
1957 | Jadon | US Coast Guard | Passenger | 18 | 37 | Later Irene R |
1958 | Carl R | Fishing | 57 | 50 | ||
1958 | Dora R | Fishing | 57 | 50 | ||
1960 | Lady Fair | Donald W. Douglas | Cruiser | 72 | 63 | Active (New Zealand) |
1961 | Western Ace Jr. | Fishing | 9 | 27 | ||
1965 | Momi | Tug | 163 | 65 | Later Joe Sevier, now Sailele |