Patricia #19

Construction of the "Patricia" was started by Oliver Duke in 1942. It is believed that the logs for this canoe were cut from Mr. Duke's property in Royal Oak, Maryland. The logs were hauled to Duke's home in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, where he lived while working at Sun Ship Building in Chester, Pennsylvania.

This log canoe was bought by Dr. Harrison West in 1946, when the hull was only in primer. The hull was completed in 1947, and a 26 foot foremast working rig was built by William H. West, son of Dr. West, at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Essington, Pennsylvania. The unnamed canoe was used as a day sailer on the Little Choptank River until 1952, at which point, she was put in a barn for storage. The boat was pulled out of mothballs in 1963 and named Patricia H. West, the wife of William H. West. "Patricia" was again day-sailed with the working rig until 1974, when she was stored in a barn once more.

In 1976 Duke Adams III purchased the "Patricia" and rigged her for racing for the first time. In 1978 she was re-rigged with a 42 foot foremast and a new jib and foresail, which replaced the old cotton sails. "Patricia" was raced by Mr. Adams until 1981. In the spring of 1982, she was bought by William H. West, the grandson of the original owner, and his wife Susan. Since then, a new mast was built, along with wish bones for both the fore and main. A full set of sails, including a kite, have also been made. It is worth noting that Paticia's hull is still original. The logs and topsides still the same wood that Mr. Duke used in 1942.

In 1996 the "Patricia" was bought by Mr. Neil Murphy of Annapolis, Maryland, who owns and races her today.

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