Philip L. Rhodes, 1918
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
New York
Citation awarded on Saturday, June 7, 1958
Philip Rhodes’ exceptional talents in the field of naval architecture have been dedicated to excellence and variety of design and ably benefited this nation in a time of war.
Fascinated by boats since his childhood spent in Gallipolis on the Ohio river, Mr. Rhodes began his career as a shipfitter but early on turned to yacht and ship design. After years as an independent architect, he joined Cox & Stevens, Inc., in 1934, and was put in charge of designing all yachts up to 75-feet overall length. A year later he was made chief designer for the firm. During World War II, when he designed or reconverted 700 large and small vessels including patrol craft, minesweepers, hospital ships, troop transports, and tugs used by the U.S. government, he built his staff up to 500 and in 1947 became head of his own firm of naval architects and marine engineers. In the last decade his steel ketches, racing yawls, small sloops, power boats, twin-screw cruisers, and ocean racers have added enormously to his reputation in international sporting circles.
