Lincoln: Only ‘Naval Architect’ President

by Peter Swanson, Loose Cannon
Abraham Lincoln is believed to be the second most written about figure in history behind Jesus Christ, with more than 15,000 books and biographies devoted to his life. Yet, there is an important fact about the 16th President that most readers here probably do not know.

Lincoln was a boatbuilder. And a naval architect. That is, “an engineer responsible for the design construction, maintenance of marine vessels and structures.” Lincoln is the only U.S. President to hold a patent. His was No. 6,469, and it was a marine structure for “Buoying Vessels Over Shoals.”

Back when Lincoln was messing about in boats, one did not need a college degree to be employed as a naval architect. The profession was learned through apprenticeship, shipbuilding experience and practical knowlege of geometry, carpentry and drafting.

Lincoln, in fact, only spent a total of one year in an actual classroom. He went on to become a formidable lawyer of his time, entirely self-taught in law. Even if his time as an amateur marine engineer was fleeting, it provided yet another example of the breadth of his intellect. – Full report