At the age of 16, he worked in the ship yard of his father and uncle, at George & James R. Steers.

In 1857, Steers started his shipyard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on the East River opposite New York City.

[4] Since the Henry Steers' shipyard was close to the East River, it was used to launch boats like the 84-ton, side-wheel steamer Seth Grosvenor in September 1859.

[2][6] Steers died on Sep 23, 1903 (aged 71) in Westport, Massachusetts when he drowned while fishing.

[2] In March 1873, Henry Steers rebuilt the schooner-yacht Idler at his shipyard in Greenpoint.