NOTE: This article was originally published in WoodenBoat Magazine, Issue 178: May/June 2004. Photographs by Benjamin Mendlowitz.
Myles Thurlow began his shipyard apprenticeship in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, at age 12, doing the usual scut work: sweeping up, setting bungs, and, because he was small, crawling into bilges too cramped for grown men. I the early months, it became clear that he possessed a long attention span and was a quick study. Because of this, men at the yard went out of their way to help him, knowing that what they taught him would stick.
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Burke Horner says:
Most of the craftsme I have known, having been in the restaurant, hotel, and casino industry, were fine chefs, some of them famous, but my favorites were the pastry chefs, with incredibly intricate designs of cakes, tarts, and delicacies. I would seebsome of them in the early quiet of the morning, when they created art from flour and sugar.
When I read this fine piece about Myles, it tells me that no computer game or television could ever give my grandchildren, who live for their games, the impact of an on site education that gives one the opportunity to create a piece if beauty and utility from scratch, green hair and all. Thanks for sharing these great photos and paragraphs. Bionicburke
Carl Treers says:
What a fortunate fellow Myles is, having such enlightened, progressive parents & teachers in his life. They had the insight to see his potential & let him develop into a skilled tradesperson & a wonderfully knowledgeable human being. What a delightful story.
Scott barnaby says:
OMG……one hopes that this story will inspire many! My carpenter Grandfather (1889-1979) built houses et al in the day when there were no power tools. At 70 y/o
he could out-saw me in the barn every time. He tried to teach me some of his values but I was swamped in my own emotional and societal quagmire.
Leo Goolden-Sampson, rebuilding Tally Ho in Port Townsend is an older version of Myles…(Leo has 150 or so videos on youtube.) I am grateful that such men still exist…..wish I had been lucky enough to become one. Sail on!
Alan Kane says:
A great story of life, community, education, and contentment from the artistic and creative. It is a simpler and more sustainable way to nourish the spirit, and just a better way. We need more of this!
James Arthur says:
Love it!
Allan Horton says:
My heartiest congratulations to Myles and to all his mentors who recognized and honored his character and boundless potential. Congratulations, also, to his parents who so wisely encouraged his interest and passion. I believe (and hope) there always will be places that reward and value those young people who are passionate about working in traditional ways that may defy conventional “norms,” and yet which, through the test of time, have proven effective. I look forward to reading more about Myles and his endeavors in future articles.
Michael Naumann says:
I think that “Here and Now’s” mast is the very first one Myles built all by himself. Whenever i look at it, I think of Myles – he was so young and trustworthy, knowledgeable and warm hearted. It was great to meet him again in Bill Mayher’s wonderful article. Thanks to both of you,
Bruce Stannard says:
Bill Mayher is right in highlighting the decline of integrated artisan communities, swamped as they are the high tide of cheap, mass-produced and generally foreign manufactured items, much of which have little or no intrinsic value. This is of course a blight that has not just afflicted the United States. In faraway Australia, where I reside, many of the old hand skills have already been lost. And yet, as in Martha’s Vineyard, there are still craftsmen and women who stubbornly refuse to allow their skills to die. I have for well over half a century greatly valued the entirely pleasurable experience of dealing directly with craftspeople of every description. In the building of the Endeavour replica, which absorbed 10 years of my life, the most talented craftsmen, shipwrights, riggers, sailmakers and black and copper smiths, made each and every part of the ship by hand and eye in the time honoured fashion. I have just been to the forge of seventh generation blacksmith Josef Balog, a silver bearded bear of a man who speaks five languages and hammers out the most exquisite ironwork, again by hand and eye. He is making hand-forged hinges and a lovely latch for a garden gate. As Harry Bryant and Myles Thurlow understand from their own experience, there is a deep sense of joy in making something beautiful from scratch. No one will see the hinges and latch on my garden gate but every time I open that gate and lay eyes on them, I’ll know they are there and I will feel that frisson of delight knowing that these objects have been made by a master craftsman. That’s an echo of the spine-tingling feeling most of us still experience when we enter the inner sanctum of an ancient cathedral where everything was made long ago by the skilled hands of great craftsmen. Keep up the good work Myles and Harry and know that your craftsmanship is appreciated.
jon gaul says:
Inspiring story, thanks mate. Would be our dream to have a Myles or two learning on our replica project in Eden, SE Australia. Anyone coming to the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival Feb. 2017 let us know.
Jon Gaul, Wanderer Replica Project
21 Oct. ’16
edward mcmahon says:
Clearly Myles is a remarkable man. His Mabel is a real beauty! While Myles’ story is a great one, the real story is one of the larger community of family, teachers, G&B and more that allowed this all to happen. These communities are what is missing and when the community doesn’t exist, a talent like Myles can often go overlooked and slip through the cracks of a system that only knows how to deal with conformity and mediocrity.
Congrats Myles and to all in the larger community that promote and foster this kind of achievement.
James Thompson says:
What a wonderful young guy! That he yearns, learns and thrives with such grace almost converts me into an optimist again–and actually does concerning a vital bit of maritime culture.
Vin Mansolillo says:
Myles, I read this article way back when in Wooden Boat and was so impressed I saved the issue. It’s a pleasure now watching your videos and seeing such an amiable, well spoken , intelligent young man putting his craftsmanship on full display. Thanks.
Arthur Winer says:
Thank you for an uncommon story about an uncommon young man.
joe milligan says:
I envision a young man who’s handshake is strong not just in muscular strength but more importantly in personal values and integrity. A young man who measures and celebrates his personal success humbly. A young man respected by everyone who knows him. I’d like to shake that hand. Well done Myles. (joemilliganartist.com)
Tom Roderick says:
A wonderful story of achieving self-actualization through forces that come from within and without.