Jacob Aaron Westervelt

Jacob Aaron Westervelt (January 20, 1800 – February 21, 1879) was a renowned and prolific shipbuilder who constructed 247 vessels of all descriptions during his career of over 50 years. From 1853 until 1855 he was Mayor of New York City.

Jacob Aaron Westervelt
Westervelt in the 1870s
72nd Mayor of New York City
In office
1853–1855
Preceded byAmbrose Kingsland
Succeeded byFernando Wood
Personal details
Born(1800-01-20)January 20, 1800
Tenafly, New Jersey, United States
DiedFebruary 21, 1879(1879-02-21) (aged 79)
New York, New York
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEliza M. Thompson
ProfessionShipbuilder, dock commissioner
 
  • The Order of Isabella the Catholic was conferred upon him by the Queen of Spain in 1859.
  • Some ships were named after Jacob A. Westervelt. One of them was built by the Todd Houston Shipbuilding Corporation, Houston TX (hull no. 154).

Together with his partners (Westervelt & MacKay and Westervelt & Sons) he designed some of the fastest and most successful sailing packets, clippers and steamships ever built, among these the screw sloop USS Brooklyn and the clipper Sweepstakes, as well as many vessels for foreign governments and Royal Houses. Westervelt was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Queen of Spain for the preparation of models and plans for three Spanish frigates. For many years he was the President of the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Marine Society, the Port Society and the St. Nicholas Society. He was also President of the Board of Dock Commissioners for several years. After Westervelt's death, the flags at City Hall were lowered to half-mast.

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