FLINT, Charles Byron
FLINT, Charles Byron (1870-1946), Santa Barbara boat builder for many years, whose name became identified with the Flint skiff, a type of small boat popular with fishermen. Flint was born in Put-in-Bay, Ohio and moved to California with his parents when he was four years old. He married Isabella Virginia Libbey, daughter of Captain Charles F. Libbey, and outlived her by two years. They had no children, and she was eight years older.
A Flint skiff was just under 14 feet long, was made of redwood, and had a cut back stern. Flint built them in his yard at 427 W. De la Guerra Street, and sold them for about $25.
Two Flint brothers married two Libbey sisters. Charles Byron Flint's brother, Louis Flint ( - ), married Isadora Libbey (1857-1925) and they had no children. C. Byron Flint died at the age of 76 and is buried in the Santa Barbara Cemetery next to his wife, Isabella neé Libbey (1862-1944).
In the News~
July 11, 1894 [LAT/SB]: “Byron Flint was arrested this morning on the charge of disturbing the peace of Mrs. Meriager. He pleaded not guilty before Justice Cune and the case passed over to be set for trial.”
July 10, 1901 [LAT]: “Santa Barbara. This city was plunged for half a day in the darkest gloom, pending word from a party of pleasure-seekers who left here yesterday morning for Santa Cruz Island, and who were reported lost at sea… The Chispa, a 30-foot whaleboat with an engine, carried nine persons. She was followed closely by the Ariel, a sloop yacht, with ten aboard. The launch Bumblebee followed… The Ariel carried Misses Ida Hayward, Grace Gullbert, Mrs. Thomas Cornwall and two small sons, Burt Phillips, Don Leach and sister, and Byron Flint.”
July 20, 1901 [SBDI]: “The sloop Ariel with Byron Flint, left this morning for Santa Cruz Island. Henry Short will take a few friends over in his launch Chispa tomorrow.”
July 23, 1901 [SBMP]: “The Ariel came over from the islands yesterday under the management of Byron Flint. Miss Alda Hayward, Mrs. Tate, Alfred Hayward and Bert Phillips returned with her. Flint will take the boat back today, and the rest of the party will come ashore Thursday.”
July 19, 1916 [SBMP]: “Yesterday shortly before noon, George E. Voorhees’ fine new speed launch, the Snooks, was consigned to the waters of the bay on the beach at Stearn’s Wharf, and a more nearly perfect launching has never occurred in these waters. The boat was built for Mr. Voorheis by Byron Flint, and it is certainly a credit to his skill in marine construction… The Snooks is 41 feet 8 inches long, with 8 feet 9 inches in beam and a “v” stern. She has a cabin forward that will accommodate six people, a cockpit in the center and a rear cabin for two that also holds a refrigerator and food closets, plate racks and a vapor stove for cooking…”
November 15, 1916 [SBMP]: “George E. Voorheis, in his power yacht Snooks, is spending a few days cruising around the islands, accompanied by one of the men employed at the ice plant.”
November 28, 1916 [SBMP]: “The Voorheis powerboat Snooks had a rather eventful voyage Sunday, and if it wasn’t for the fact that a couple of young women in the party were landed by boat, the Snooks might yet be anchored outside of Goleta Point. The two made their way to a ranch house and assistance was telephoned for. Captain George Gourley secured a fishing boat and went up the coast and towed the outfit back to the wharf. The Snooks left at 7 o’clock in the morning with about fifteen on board. The destination was Santa Cruz Island…”
December 30, 1916 [SBMP]: “George E. Voorheis powerboat breaks moorings, batters to pieces. The only damage reported on the waterfront from the recent gale, aside from the smashing to pieces of a couple of skiffs, was the destruction of the powerboat Snookums, the property of George E. Voorhees, Jr., the pretty little pleasure boat having broken from its mooring last Thursday night and being driven ashore in chunks and splinters at an early hour yesterday morning…”
