Matthews, Gordon Frazier, 1877-

The Matthews family was involved in building wooden vessels for many years. Peter Matthews was born in 1848 in New Brunswick, Canada. The family moved to Prince Edward Island when he was about 6 months old. When he was 16, he began a four-year apprenticeship to learn the ship carpenter's trade. After his apprenticeship, he moved to Perry, ME in 1868. About 1874 he heard there was work in Eureka, CA, so he went to CA to see if he could find employment. He did. His wife and daughter moved to CA the following year. Peter Matthews built ships and schooners in CA and Hoquiam, WA. Matthews remained building ships and schooners on the West Coast until he passed away in 1898. George H. Hitchings was his son-in-law and he worked with him designing and constructing ships. George F. Matthews was his son and he worked with Peter from his early childhood. At least two generations worked building wooden ships and schooners in Hoquiam, WA.