William Badger

William Badger (May 26, 1752 – February 22, 1830) was a master shipbuilder operating in Kittery, Maine, United States who was rumored to have built 100 vessels.

Life and career The eldest of six children, he was born to William Badger and Anstisa Emerson Badger at what is now Newfields, New Hampshire. Trained by master shipbuilder Colonel James K. Hackett at John Langdon's shipyard on Rising Castle Island (or Langdon's Island) in Kittery, he helped build the USS Ranger. In 1782, he worked with Hackett to complete the USS America. About 1788, Badger established a shipbuilding business with David Colcord and Stilmon Tarleton on the Squamscott River at Newfields, but returned to work with Hackett from 1794 until 1799 as a master carpenter on the USS Crescent and USS Congress.

In 1797, Badger acquired 3 acres (1.3 hectares) on Rising Castle Island from his wife's family. He built a house and began shipbuilding on what would thereafter be called Badger's Island.

Meanwhile, upriver at his own shipyard, Badger was constructing approximately two ships a year, including naval vessels, merchant vessels and privateers, while also repairing others. He entered shipping, owning the brig Fanny between 1816 and 1822, and half-owning at least 17 other vessels, most of which he had built.