Philip Rhodes was born in 1895 in Thurman, Ohio, was a prolific naval architect of extraordinary range. Designing vessels from dinghies to 100 foot plus motor-sailors, America’s Cup yachts, commercial and military vessels such as minesweepers and police boats.
Rhodes graduated from MIT in 1918 with a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. During the last year of World War I Rhodes worked for the US Army Corp of Engineers, and after the war began work as a shipfitter in Lorain, Ohio. Later moving to New York to set up shop with a small office as a marine architect.
In 1934, Rhodes joined the firm of Cox & Stevens, becoming the head naval architect, after the death of lead designer Bruno Tornroth in 1935, then in 1946 the firm became Philip L. Rhodes Yacht Design until 1974, following the passing of Mr. Rhodes.