Thomas Kemp (shipbuilder)

Thomas Kemp (28 February 1779 – 2 March 1824) was a Baltimore shipbuilder, known for building some of the fastest and best known privateers of the War of 1812, such as Rossie, Comet, Patapsco, Chasseur, and Lynx.

He is thought to have learned at least some of his shipbuilding skills at the Dawson's wharf shipyard in St. Michaels.

In the next few years his shipyard was mostly involved in making repairs to Baltimore vessels.

On July 6, 1805, Kemp purchased additional property bounded by Fountain, Fleet, and Washington streets at Fell's Point, expanding his business and establishing his own shipyard.

[2] [2][3] After the War of 1812 demand on shipbuilding declined and Kemp returned to the Eastern Shore to live at his farm, Wade's Point.