The M.V. Judy
This story is about the building and launching of the M.V. Judy in French Harbour, 59 years ago.
The construction of the Judy took place on the McNab's property, across from the home of Truman Jones, and parallel to the road. She had been designed by my uncle Hersel Elwin, to be 85' long and 22' wide and he was building her for my father, Capt. Myrl Hyde. (Seen here is a photo of me and Daddy in front of the Judy.)
As is customary in ship building, Uncle Hersel first made a scale sized model of the boat. Then, during the actual construction, sections of the model were cut out to determine the exact measurements needed according to the scale. The first thing that went down was the keel, and for that, a large piece of Santa Maria hardwood was brought over from La Ceiba. Aside from some select pine lumber from the mainland, the majority the wood used in the construction was harvested from the hills in and around French Harbour. Finding the right tree for each job was Arlington Godfrey's specialty. The stem of the boat needed to have a particular shape, so he searched for the perfect tree with a natural crook that would do the job. The ribs also required a natural elbow, and he was the man that found just the right tree. Power tools were very limited in those days. They had a band saw driven by a gasoline motor and an electric drill. Most of the wood was cut by hand and they used a special hand tool called an "Adze," which was similar to an ax but used for carving and shaping instead of chopping wood. Not too many people knew how to work with the adze, but Robie Woods and Irwin Jones were skilled in using it, and thankfully they were right here in French Harbour.
Here is a photo of an Adze and a worker in another shipyard using one.
In those days, French Harbour was a very small community. The only access to the rest of the island was by boat. People lived simple, and for the most part were self-educated. It was remarkable the craftsmanship and skill the contractors possessed. They were all French Harbour people.
Here are the names of the builders and their skills:
Hersel Elwin -Marine Architect and Builder
Cardy Elwin - Detailed and General Carpentry
Homer Wood - Detailed and General Carpentry
Charlie Thomson- Detailed Carpentry
Robie Woods - Specialty Working with Adze
Irwin Jones - Specialty Working with Adze
Cleary Dixon - General Carpentry
Harry Dixon - General Carpentry
Dick Dixon - General Carpentry
Luey Woods- General Carpentry
Nelson Jackson - General Carpentry
Algie Jackson - Caulker using Oakum and Cotton
Arlington Godfrey - Lumber Jack
Harris Campbell - Painter
Click through the gallery below to see the names and photos of a few of the men:
...and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service... Exodus 36
Several days before the launch, the vessel was turned 45 degrees, with the bow crossways on the main road. But no problem with traffic then, because the only wheels in town were a few wheelbarrows and bicycles. In those days people walked everywhere they wanted to go. The Judy had been under construction for two years, so it was a big event that Wednesday afternoon in April 1958 and most of the town people came out to see the launch.
Day of the launch of the M.V. Judy.
Now, everything was ready. She was on the skids with rollers underneath. A tow rope was attached to another boat in the harbor. Then, the signal was given to release and pull, and in a matter of minutes, the M.V. Judy was off and afloat! This was a wonderful sight for all who had witnessed the construction from the laying of the keel to the launch.
The M.V. Judy leaving French Harbour.
The Judy was the beginning of what went on to become Hyde Shipping Corporation, being the first vessel engaged in international transportation of cargo between the United States and other Caribbean countries.
The M.V. Judy at the dock in Cayman, one of her first international trips.
Same place of the building and launching site, in present day French Harbour.