American Marine boatyard – magazine article 1970 – information about employees needed

Thomas Sposato has sent an article about American Marine boatyard in Junk Bay which was published in Motor Boating magazine in September 1970. This is linked below. It contains a lot of information about the yard.

I do not think this magazine is still being published but would like to be corrected if it is.

All photographs are courtesy of Fenno Jacobs.

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image a snipped

It says the yard ” employs 900 Chinese…most brought their skills with them and exercise the patience and care necessary to produce quality workmanship…” Here are some of these workers – can they be identified?

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image b snipped

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image c snipped

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image d snipped

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image e snipped

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image f snipped

“The story of these yachts begins with the wood. Teak, Philippine mahogany, and yacal from all over the Far East is stored in giant pens on Lan Tao [sic] Island. Bill Russell, [shown below in the white shirt] purchasing agent, selects the…best wood…After selection in the pens, the wood is floated through the channel [?] to Junk Bay where it is hauled ashore..”

Can anyone add any information about Mr Russell?

As an aside I wonder if the “giant pens” on Lantau were by any chance the Yan O Wan “Log Pond” about which we have an article linked below?

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image g snipped

The article also mentions Mr Kong Hon Hing, shown below, ” the plant manager, who is fluent in both English and Chinese”. Again, any information about Mr Kong would be very welcome.

American Marine shipyard, MotorBoating 9.1970 article image h snipped

Source: Motor Boating September 1970 The Ways of the Orient: Where boats are still hewn of wood

Related Indhhk articles:

  1. American Marine Ltd boatyard, Junk Bay – great photographs
  2. Carolyn Quincy AKA Francis Marion – luxurious boat built at American Marine boatyard, Junk Bay
  3. Yan O Wan “Log Pond” and Luk Keng Tsuen Lumber Works, Lantau

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