Warren O'Neal Papers, PC.5067
Abstract
Warren R. O'Neal was born in Manteo in 1910. His boatbuilding career began in 1925,
when, at the age of 15, he built a flat bottom skiff. In the 1950's, Warren pulled
long nets, shrimped in the off-season and carried sports fisherman in the summer months
on the Pearl, a wooden, flat-bottom boat named after his wife, Pearl Daniels O'Neal.
In 1959, he built the Pearl II, incorporating a deep V-shaped hull to allow for increased
speed and the ability to plow through rough seas with ease. He built numerous sports
fishers, small boats and skiffs. His boats remain popular and many craftsmen in boatbuilding
worked with the O'Neal Boatworks at one time.
The materials in this collection relate to the O'Neal Boat Works and several aspects
of the boat building business. Warren O'Neal is credited with building the first modern
sport fishing boat in Dare County in 1959, known as the Carolina Boat. There are photographs
of some of O'Neal's boats as well as several sketches. There are also financial documents
relating to O'Neal Boat Works, including a boatbuilding ledger documenting the cost
of materials and an accounts receivable ledger. Exhibit materials include clippings,
a piece of stationary, a postcard and an invitation.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Warren O'Neal Papers
- Call Number
- PC.5067
- Creator
- O'Neal, Warren
- Date
- 1962-1987
- Extent
- 0.400 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.5067, Warren O'Neal Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
The materials in this collection relate to the O'Neal Boat Works and several aspects of the boatbuilding business. Warren O'Neal credited with building the first modern sport fishing boat in Dare County in 1959 known as the Carolina Boat. There are photographs of some of O'Neal's boats as well as several sketches. There are also financial documents relating to O'Neal Boat Works including a boat-building ledger documenting the cost of materials and an accounts receivable ledger. Exhibit materials include clippings, a piece of stationary, postcard, and an invitation.
Arrangement Note
The Warren O'Neal Papers are arranged by document type in alphabetical order and into the following series: Drawings, Exhibit Materials, Financial, Photographs and Printed Materials.
Biographical Note
Warren R. O'Neal (1910-2000) was born in Manteo and was the son of Leon and Zilphia Hooper O'Neal. His association with boats began at the age of 9 when he joined his grandfather in a sailboat to fish for mullet in the shallow waters of the Outer Banks. His boatbuilding career began in 1925 when, at the age of 15, he built a flat bottom skiff.
In the 1950's, Warren pulled long nets, shrimped in the off-season and carried sports fisherman in the summer months on the Pearl, a wooden, flat bottom boat named after his wife, Pearl Daniels O'Neal. In 1959, he decided to build the Pearl II and chose a deep V hull to allow for increased speed and the ability to plow through rough seas with ease.The deep V hull, constructed with wooden plank and epoxy glue became O'Neal's trademark and later was known as the Carolina design. He built numerous sports fishers, small boats and skiffs. His boats remain popular and many craftsmen in boatbuilding worked with the O'Neal Boatworks at one time. His boats can still be seen today.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated by Stuart Bell in April, 2005