Brothers Isaac, Winslow, and Henry Hall began shipbuilding in Cohasset, MA, in 1848.  They eventually migrated west and worked as shipwrights in San Francisco.  In 1873 they came to Port Ludlow and established the Hall Brothers shipbuilding firm.  After the mill stagnated and timbers were difficult to find, Captain William Renton invited them to move to his property in Port Blakeley. These ships were built there in 1882.  On the left is the 603 ton Hester, made for the “triangle” trade (lumber to Australia, coal to Hawaii and sugar to California), at a cost of $43,000.  According to information found in the University of Washington, Special Collections Division, she had an infamous career.  She is most noted for a murder that occurred on board.  After a voyage to Newcastle, in 1893, her Liverpool Irish second mate was murdered by a seaman wielding a galley hatchet.  The trial was held in San Francisco and three of her crew were convicted of mutiny and one was hanged.  On the right is the William Renton, a three mast schooner. She was 143 feet in length and cost $33,000 to build.