Robert Fish (shipbuilder)
Robert "Bob" Fish (1812January 18, 1883) was known as the oldest and most successful of the 19th-century American yacht modelers and shipbuilders. He was well known for remodeling of the Sappho that won 3 successive international races. Early life Fish was born in Front Street, New York City, in 1812. His father, David Fish, had a boathouse in New York City. Robert Fish married Harriet Fish. They had 3 children, John Fish, Hattie Fish, and Evelyn Fish, born on 24 Jan 1869. Career Fish started his career as a boatbuilder and opened a shop in Front Street and in 1840, moved to Water Street. In 1850, he started a shipyard at Pamrapo, New Jersey. The earliest boats he worked on were the yachts Annie and Julia. He built a yacht for the Duke of Wellington, one for the Prince of Wales Club, and another for Sir Francis Sykes, of England. Fish was noted for the remodeling of the 300-ton schooner Sappho after several unsuccessful races. He modeled her by widening her hull so that the boat was able to hold up against stronger winds and sail faster. In 1870, he sailed her to England for her owner, W. P. Douglas,