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Henry Steers

1832 – 1903

Henry Steers son of James Rich Steers, proprietor of Henry Steers' Ship Yard.

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About Henry Steers

Lived 1832 – 1903 (aged 71). Henry Steers was an American shipbuilder.

Henry Steers (September 14, 1832 in New York City – September 29, 1903 in Westport, Massachusetts) was the son of James Rich Steers, nephew of George Steers, proprietor of Henry Steers' Ship Yard (George & James R. Steers).

Education

He was educated in New-York with admission into a free Academy. At the age of 16, he worked in the ship yard of his father and uncle, at George & James R. Steers. He served as a regular apprenticeship and moved from a grindstone boy to a foreman.

Henry Steers' shipyard

In 1857, Steers started his shipyard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on the East River opposite New York City. The shipyard was between Green and Huron Streets. He designed and built most of the boats of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. He built several yachts and pilot boats.

Since the Henry Steers' shipyard was close to the East River, it was used to launch boats like the 84-ton, side-wheel steamer Seth Grosvenor in September 1859.

By 1885, Steers was president of the Dry Dock Bank, which later became the Eleventh Ward Bank of New York.

Death Steers died on Sep 23, 1903 (aged 71) in Westport, Massachusetts when he drowned while fishing. He is buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery. 1861: Hope, New York Pilot Boat built for Thomas F. Ives. 1862: Charles H. Marshall, No. 3 built by Henry Steers 1865: SS Arizona January 19, 1865 for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company 1865: Nicaragua built by Steers for the Central American Transit Company 1866: Idaho steam sloop for the U. S. Government 1867: SS Great Republic for Pacific Mail Steamship Company 1867: Gussie modelled by Steers, a 25-ton 50 foot yacht 1869: SS America for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company 1877: Massachusetts built for the New York and Providence Line

In March 1873, Henry Steers rebuilt the schooner-yacht Idler at his shipyard in Greenpoint. She was lengthened eight feet and her topmasts were increased to carry more sail.

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Important facts

People in Henry Steers's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henry Steers's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henry Steers?

Henry Steers son of James Rich Steers, proprietor of Henry Steers' Ship Yard. (1832–1903)

When was Henry Steers born?

Henry Steers was born on 14 September 1832 in New York City.

When did Henry Steers die?

Henry Steers died on 29 September 1903 in Westport, Massachusetts.

What was Henry Steers's occupation?

Henry Steers was a shipbuilder.

What nationality was Henry Steers?

Henry Steers was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henry Steers

· Wikidata: Q5728676

· DBpedia: Henry Steers (1832)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Steers. https://biography.guide/henry-steers/

MLA: "Henry Steers." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-steers/.

Chicago: "Henry Steers." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-steers/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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