Harry Defoe had a passion for boating, his father was a tugboat Captain and his uncle owned a small boat business. He grew up on Bay City's West Side near shipbuilding with the James Davidson and the Frank H. Wheeler yards in his neighborhood. Upon graduation from Bay City Western High School Harry became a teacher. During his teaching career he continued his fascination and passion with boating by first building a rowboat, then a skiff and moving on to several small powerboats. He progressed in his teaching career and became a principle. In 1905 Harry Defoe pursued his dreams, together with his brother Fredrick Defoe (a New York Lawyer) and his brother-in-law George H. Whitehouse he created the Defoe Boat and Motor Works which would later become Defoe Shipbuilding. In 1917 the firm received its first government contract for a 40-foot spent torpedo chaser. Other government orders were to follow for even larger vessels. During prohibition the firm filled government orders for 75 foot and 100 foot rum runner chasers. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor Defoe became a forerunner in supplying vessels for the war effort. During the war they produced Patrol boats, mine sweeps and destroyers. Most likely the best known Defoe vessel is the "Honey Fitz" which became the yacht of President John F. Kennedy. Following the war they produced guided missile destroyers for the United States, Great Britain and Australia. Defoe would also return to building yachts as well as great lakes trade ships. Some Defoe built ships remain in active service. One of the yachts continues to serve as a charter/excursion vessel in the Mediterranean. At age 81, while in Washington, D.C. negotiating a contract with the Navy, Harry J. Defoe suffered fatal heart attack.