Respected boat builder dies at 90

One of Belize’s finest boat builders has passed away. Simeon Young, in addition to building real vessels, also specialised in wooden models, including the replica of the Afri-Kola displayed at the Museum of Belize. Young, who would have turned ninety-one in June, is fondly remembered by his nephew.

Eddie Young, Nephew of Simeon Young
“Beside the local boats that he built, one of his greatest accomplishments was to go to Baltimore and build a replica of the Baltimore Clipper, one of the American flagships.”

Kendra Griffith
“How did that come about?”

Eddie Young
“I honestly I don’t know the whole history of it. I know that they came to him and they asked him and they actually took him to Baltimore to build the replica. Imagine a big country like America comes to Belize for a shipwright to rebuild their flagship, so he must have been good.”

Kendra Griffith
“What do you think made him such a good boat builder?”

Eddie Young
“A gift. He was just talented. The Youngs were. In fact, the Youngs that came to Belize were brought because of the boat building abilities. And it’s a family gift.”

Funeral services for Simeon Young will be held Saturday afternoon at one at Holy Redeemer Cathedral. He will be buried on Caye Caulker.