courtesy dan nerney, nyyc
The crew of Intrepid (David Elwell 2nd from left) celebrating victory at the 1967 America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island.
Elwell is a director with Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, which offers free sailing instruction to kids of all backgrounds, engaging them in a safe, fun, and social activity, while challenging them to be responsible, confident, and independent. A leader of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Elwell has also helped spearhead the effort to relocate the Sailing Hall of Fame to the Armory building in Newport. In the spring of 2022, it will open the Sailing Museum, which will include state-of-the-art exhibits to highlight the stories and accomplishments of those who have shaped the sport—from designers and builders to coaches and mentors, artists, historians, Olympians, sailmakers, and explorers. The Society salutes David Elwell for his tireless work promoting sailing, his visionary approach to encourage younger generations to embrace the sport, and his outreach with yacht clubs to provide access and training to diverse members of the community. David Elwell, then Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, presents an award to CJ Leighton at the 2010 NYYC Annual Awards.
Steven Kalil “I first walked into the shipyard, and I see all the big ships out of the water with all the big equipment and I loved it. I love my job.” Steven Kalil, President of Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Co., will be recognized with the NMHS Distinguished Service Award for his expertise, commitment, and vision that have helped steer Caddell Dry Dock to great success and made it indispensable to the larger shipping community. Since 1975, when he first joined the company as a young carpenter’s assistant, to becoming president of the shipyard in 1989, he has gained the admiration and appreciation of the community he serves so well. Kalil’s early years were spent between Staten Island and Santa Barbara, California, where his parents had an avocado ranch. His then-girlfriend, now wife, told him about a job opportunity at Caddell Dry Dock. Taking the job, he stayed back East, going to college at night to study mechanical engineering. Eventually CEO John B. Caddell brought Kalil into the offices, stating, “I need young people,” and Kalil became an assistant to Caddell Vice President Ralph Merrill. In 1989 at a Boothbay Harbor christening party for a new yacht, John Caddell announced the retirement of Ralph Merrill and that Kalil was being appointed president. Unaware of the forthcoming announcement, Kalil shared, “Not vice president, but president. I had no idea. It was a shock!” Under Kalil’s leadership, Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Co. has continued the maritime tradition of an exceptional shipyard business that began in 1903 and thrives to this day. Its maintenance projects include service to the Staten Island Ferry fleet, tugs, tankers,
courtesy steven kalil
courtesy dan nerney, nyyc
1966 transAtlantic racers and ended up in a boat owned by Huey Long in the Bermuda TransAtlantic Race, which gave him the big-boat experience to try out for the America’s Cup. In 1967 Bus Mosbacher asked Elwell to sail in Intrepid as crew. He went on to serve as a member of Valiant’s crew in 1970. Elwell’s early sailing experiences shaped his views on the sport, and he has been an ardent supporter of initiatives to attract area youth and disadvantaged members of the community to experience the joys and challenges of sailing. He has emphasized collaboration with non-profit organizations like Sail Newport, New England’s largest public sailing center, which offers affordable access to sailing and promotes diversity and inclusion within the sport. Elwell states, “It is one way to give back to the sport of sailing, and also a way to give back to the community.”
SEA HISTORY 176, AUTUMN 2021 11