OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM SAMUEL KELLY (1833-1908)

William Samuel Kelly was the son of solicitor, Mr Thomas Kelly and his wife Mary.  He was christened at Saint George's Church, Modbury, on March 22nd 1833. 

He was at first articled to his uncle, Mr John Kelly, solicitor, of Plymouth.  However, the legal profession did not appeal to him and after a brief time he became an apprentice with Mr William Foster Moore (1815-1886), the ship builder, of Sutton Pool.

On January 26th 1860 he married Miss Elizabeth Simons at Anglican Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Sutton-on-Plym, Plymouth.

He remained with Mr Moore until 1863, when he left Plymouth for Liverpool, where he went into a ship building partnership with a Mr Smerdon.  It was there in 1872 that he built his cruiser (yacht) "Mabel", which he sailed successfully on the Mersey for many years.

However, his wife's poor health brought about a return to Plymouth in either 1875 or 1876, where he established a ship and yacht building business at Mount Batten.  In 1877 he was one of the founders, along with Mr William Foster Moore (1815-1886), of what was to become the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.  He was its rear-commodore for many years.  In 1878 he altered and lengthened the "Mabel" and sailed it successfully in many local races, winning in excess of 170 prizes.  In 1890 he was one of the founder members of the Royal South Western Yacht Club.

Mr Kelly was an expert yacht designer and builder, which was run separately from his other ship building interests.  He built the "Finola", the "Florence" , the "Idalia" and two steam yachts.

In about 1906 he retired and sold the ship building yard to Messrs Willesden Canvas Company and Motor Yacht Builders.

In 1907 he was taken very ill with paralysis and became confined to his home at number 80 Greenbank Avenue.

Mr William Samuel Kelly died at his home at around 3am on the morning  of Saturday May 30th 1908.  He was 75 years of age.  His wife and three sons had all pre-deceased him but the three daughters survived him.