Jacob Aaron Westervelt | |
|---|---|
 Westervelt in the 1870s | |
| 72nd Mayor of New York City | |
| In office 1853–1855 | |
| Preceded by | Ambrose Kingsland |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Wood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 20, 1800 Tenafly, New Jersey, United States |
| Died | February 21, 1879 (aged 79) New York, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Eliza M. Thompson |
| Profession | Shipbuilder, dock commissioner |
| |
Jacob Aaron Westervelt (January 20, 1800 – February 21, 1879) was a renowned and prolific shipbuilder who constructed 247 vessels[2] of all descriptions during his career of over 50 years. From 1853 until 1855 he was Mayor of New York City.[4][5]
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.[1][2] 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.[1] 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.[6]
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Westerveltwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Ships and Shipping of Old New York (1915) by the Bank of the Manhattan Company, page 48.
- ^ Information about ships built by the Todd Houston Shipbuilding Corporation on the website of "shipbuildinghistory.com" Archived 2008-10-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on March 23, 2009.
- ^ "Mayors of New York City" Archived 2008-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. Official website of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services — The Green Book. Retrieved on March 14, 2009.
- ^ Several publications (i.e. History of the city of New York: its origin, rise and progress from Martha J. Lamb and Burton Harrison) incorrectly state that Mayor Jacob A. Westervelt previously served as Sheriff of New York County. The man who was elected High Sheriff was Jacob Westervelt, born July 27, 1794, buried May 10, 1881. During the years 1837–38 he was Assistant Alderman of the 9th Ward, and after retiring from the Shrievalty, he became president of the Lafayette Bank. Information found in Genealogy of the Westervelt family by Walter Tallman Westervelt, page 86.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
careerwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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