The Selina II Chronicles – Part III: Building Selina II at Sweets Shipyard in 1926
The Selina II Chronicles – Part III: Building Selina II at Sweets Shipyard in 1926
In the spring of 1926, Greenport, New York, was still a bustling working waterfront. The air was filled with the sharp scent of freshly sawn oak and pine, the rhythmic thud of mallets driving caulking, and the sounds of skilled hands shaping timber into lasting vessels. This was the world into which Selina II was born.
Samuel Ainsworth Hird, seeking a more stable and family-friendly yacht than the long, slender boat he had previously owned (which made his wife Mildred Flower Hird quite nervous), commissioned a new vessel from H.W. Sweets Shipyard in Greenport. The result was Selina II — a handsome 41-foot Crosby catboat designed for comfort, stability, and longevity on the waters of Shelter Island Sound and the Peconic Bays.
The Choice That Would Matter for a Century
Harry W. Sweet, the respected owner of the shipyard, reportedly wrote to Samuel Ainsworth Hird with a straightforward and telling question:
“Mr. Hird, do you want a 15-year boat or a 30-year boat?”
In the 1920s, this was a meaningful distinction in wooden yacht construction. A “15-year boat” could be built more economically with lighter materials and faster methods. A “30-year boat” (or better) required premium lumber — select white oak frames, clear cedar or cypress planking, high-quality bronze fastenings, meticulous caulking, and the finest craftsmanship. It cost more upfront but delivered significantly greater durability and lower long-term maintenance.
Samuel Ainsworth Hird chose quality. He opted for the longer-lasting vessel. That single decision, paired with the expertise of the craftsmen at Sweets Shipyard, is a major reason why Selina II is still sailing beautifully nearly 100 years later.
Boatbuilding in Greenport in the 1920s
Greenport’s shipyards in the 1920s represented the tail end of a golden era of wooden boat construction. Loftsmen drew full-scale lines on the floor of the mold loft. Shipwrights hand-shaped heavy oak timbers into frames. Planks were steamed and bent to shape, then fastened with care. Caulkers followed, driving cotton or oakum into the seams before sealing them. The entire process relied heavily on skilled hands, traditional knowledge, and pride in workmanship.
Crosby catboats, with their signature wide beam, shallow draft, and powerful single gaff-rigged sail, were particularly well-suited to the East End’s waters. Selina II was built with generous proportions specifically for family cruising rather than racing — offering the stability Mildred had longed for and the room needed for memorable days on the water.
A Boat Built with Intention — Still Sailing Today
Selina II was more than just another yacht coming out of a Greenport shipyard. She was a thoughtfully commissioned vessel meant to serve as the heart of Hird family summers for decades to come. The care taken in her construction in 1926 helped her survive when so many of her contemporaries did not.
Today, as one of the most unique things to do on the East End of Long Island, Selina II once again sails from her home waters in Greenport and Dering Harbor on Shelter Island. Guests on private charters can experience the same waters and the same timeless vessel that was so carefully built nearly a century ago.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day sail, a special family outing, or an intimate East End experience, stepping aboard Selina II offers a direct connection to the rich maritime heritage of Greenport and Shelter Island.
Next in the Series: The Selina II Chronicles continues with more stories from her remarkable history.
