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ORAL HISTORY

Makeley Lewis

Makeley Lewis was born May 4, 1925 on Harkers Island. His father was Brady Lewis, the famed boatbuilder credited with developing the flared bow boat, a signature of Harkers Island traditional boat craft. Brady Lewis built boats “by the eye.” He built the wooden boats, made of juniper and heart pine, from memory.

Mr. Lewis remembers the now historic Jean Dale boat being built in his family’s shed. Lewis was a fisherman and boat builder, who followed the trades of his father and grandfather. Though he’ll admit that money was scarce, fishing was a love that he pursued all his life.

Note: Mr. Lewis’s slideshow contains only photographs, no audio.