Avid sailor and applied physics graduate from Harvard University, Robbie Doyle's love of wind, waves and water propelled him into the
sailmaking realm where he would transform it into a science.
"With the success of the harbour other trades flourished, including ropemaking,
sailmaking, shipbuilders, and insurance brokers.
Micro & Macro Construction Features of Technical Textiles for
Sailmaking, DAAAM International Scientific Book 2004, Katalinic B.
the right mix of skills such as helming, trimming, bowmen,
sailmaking, rigging
Also in need of rescue are
sailmaking lofts, a former tannery, Scotland's oldest railway station, gate lodges, schools and churches.
Before going to university I was in the marine industry,
sailmaking and working on yachts off Scotland's west coast," he says.
Besides these, several other vocations including vessel construction,
sailmaking, blacksmithing, grocering, merchandising, medicine, and law were partly dependent upon the oyster industry.
Not only do his business activities reflect black participation in preindustrial antebellum manufacturing, but, with his invention of a
sailmaking device, he is also representative of the blacks who achieved some financial success as inventors.
OOQ: How did you first become involved in
sailmaking?
On the pier you can watch
sailmaking, dugout canoe carving, and rope work, and listen to poetry and music.
Courtesy of
sailmaking experience and development in the 18-foot skiffs.