Lionel Adam Eleuterius was born in Biloxi in 1907 to Fred and Maude Bosarge Eleuterius. He was one of ten children, four of whom would pursue the occupation of boat builder. Along with his brothers, Shannon, Gordon, and George, Lionel would apprentice under renowned master boat builders Jacky Jack and Fatty Jack Covacevich at the Covacevich Boat Yard on Bayview Avenue in Biloxi.
Lionel married Martha Tiblier in 1935 and resided on Eleuterius family land on 3rd Street in Point Cadet. This property was situated along the shores of Biloxi’s Back Bay. Together, they would raise five children.
With the advent of World War II, the US Navy built a shipyard at the foot of Lee Street on Back Bay, selecting the area for its community of skilled wooden boat builders in Biloxi. Westergard Ship Yard employed most of the Biloxi craftsmen to produce minesweepers and tug boats of wood as was necessary to avoid the magnetic mines used in the war. One of these vessels, the PITCHLYNN, was eventually sold to a firm in England, and was still seaworthy as of 2008, while roughly half of those constructed were lost in service. Lionel also served as air raid warden for his neighborhood in Point Cadet.
After the war, Lionel realized his skills and abilities would lead to his success as a boat builder for the community, so he began construction of some 40 boats in his spacious side yard and launched them directly into Back Bay. Among those constructed were well-known and revered vessels such as the SAD SACK, THELMA LECKICH, MICHAEL FAYARD, TONI DIANE and NANCY DARNELL.
One of his more prominent projects was that of the SAIL FISH, a legendary lugger built in 1954, recognized as the Mississippi Coast’s first recreational tour boat. This vessel is still in use today, occupying Slip No.1 in Biloxi’s Small Craft Harbor and offering tours to locals and visitors alike. Mr. Eleuterius specialized in the Biloxi lugger, as design unique to the Mississippi Coast, as it features a short draw suitable to the shallow waters of the Mississippi Sound. In the late 1950’s, Lionel would build the RAINBOW, now known as SECOND EDITION and moored in Ocean Springs and the BILOXI BELLE, owned by Denny’s Resort in Minnesota.
Lionel Eleuterius was a complete and multi-talented master boat builder and proud citizen of Biloxi until his passing in 1966 at the age of 59. He is honored here for his contributions and legacy that continues to live on.
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