The revival of wooden shipbuilding in the United States dates from the latter part of 1915. In April, 1917, at the time we declared war against Germany, over 150 large wooden vessels were under construction along our coasts, principally in New England, the South and the Pacific Northwest. With America’s entry into the war, the tonnage requirements of the entente allies were tremendously increased. It soon became evident that the United States would be called upon to construct an enormous armada of steel cargo carriers and in addition as many wooden vessels as could possibly be turned out. Subsequent events up to the spring of 1918 have served only to emphasize the problem. The universal cry is ships, ships—and yet more ships! This revival of the art of wooden shipbuilding has brought with it an insistent demand for information on how wooden ships are built. It is to assist in this important work of training that this book is offered. Harvey Cole Estep (1918)