James Nathaniel Tibbetts 1887-1967 As a young man, "Nat" Tibbetts worked along with his dad and his brothers building sailing ships. The family built more ships than any other family or group on the island, however after a series of difficulties, it was all halted in 1931. First his dad Jason Tibbetts died in 1925 at age 65, then just a few years later his oldest brother, Burdette, was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, soon afterward Nat lost his right arm due to getting stuck by the bristle of a grouper while trying to take it out of a fish pot, leaving him without a right-arm which had to be removed above the elbow, Soon after this his remaining brother Ross also developed rheumatoid arthritis. These tragic occurrences, left Nat with a ship under construction. With the help of the two oldest sons Alva and Kelly of his elder brother. In the late nineteen-twenties, Mr. Nat worked for a time on the construction of the original Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. Working in the broiling sun he developed a film on his eyes. Seeking medical attention, he went to one eye doctor that told him that it would require surgery that would cost $100.00 (plenty of money in that era) another specialist quoted him even more. Nat decided that before taking a chance of losing his sight he would return home and see his family first. While at home, he took a trip to Jamaica where he visited an eye doctor that told him 'cha, wash your eyes with alum water and the film will shrink.' He took this advice and never had or needed the surgery. Having learned navigation, Nat was able to take the ship which his nephews had finished, to Belize where it was sold. Young men planning to go to sea would get him to teach them the points of the compass etc. so they would have at least basic knowledge of seamanship . In early1950 a man called Mr. Nat up late at night to call the officials and others to let them know that a yacht had ran aground in heavy weather. Shortly after the start of WW2 Mr. Nat got a radio which enabled him to get the latest news on what was happening in the war. Due to age and health limitations, Mr. Nat sold his business in early 1958 and lived near two of his sons in Florida, until called home to Glory.

James Nathaniel Tibbetts 1887-1967 As a young man, "Nat" Tibbetts worked along with his dad and his brothers building sailing ships. The family built more ships than any other family or group on the island, however after a series of difficulties, it was all halted in 1931. First his dad Jason Tibbetts died in 1925 at age 65, then just a few years later his oldest brother, Burdette, was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, soon afterward Nat lost his right arm due to getting stuck by the bristle of a grouper while trying to take it out of a fish pot, leaving him without a right-arm which had to be removed above the elbow, Soon after this his remaining brother Ross also developed rheumatoid arthritis. These tragic occurrences, left Nat with a ship under construction. With the help of the two oldest sons Alva and Kelly of his elder brother. In the late nineteen-twenties, Mr. Nat worked for a time on the construction of the original Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. Working in the broiling sun he developed a film on his eyes. Seeking medical attention, he went to one eye doctor that told him that it would require surgery that would cost $100.00 (plenty of money in that era) another specialist quoted him even more. Nat decided that before taking a chance of losing his sight he would return home and see his family first. While at home, he took a trip to Jamaica where he visited an eye doctor that told him 'cha, wash your eyes with alum water and the film will shrink.' He took this advice and never had or needed the surgery. Having learned navigation, Nat was able to take the ship which his nephews had finished, to Belize where it was sold. Young men planning to go to sea would get him to teach them the points of the compass etc. so they would have at least basic knowledge of seamanship . In early1950 a man called Mr. Nat up late at night to call the officials and others to let them know that a yacht had ran aground in heavy weather. Shortly after the start of WW2 Mr. Nat got a radio which enabled him to get the latest news on what was happening in the war. Due to age and health limitations, Mr. Nat sold his business in early 1958 and lived near two of his sons in Florida, until called home to Glory.